McCaig raises SNP fears over UK winter power cut threat

The SNP has called for action from the UK Government on the electricity supply situation as the worst of the winter weather starts to hit Scotland

Callum McCaig MP, the SNP Westminster Energy and Climate Change spokesperson is tabling questions about the increasing concern about UK policy – and the vulnerability of supply.
 
He commented:  ‘’Last week the National Grid had to use emergency measure for the first time in recent years – a worrying indication that our electricity supply situation is increasingly vulnerable.

“The UK Government is stumbling from crisis to crisis whilst being warned by those in the industry about how close it is to not coping with demand.
 
“The situation is only likely to get worse as more power stations are scheduled for closure – including Longannet in Fife. Westminster is approaching this with an alarming degree of complacency.
 
‘’This week I will be calling for action on a number of fronts from the UK Energy Secretary including – action on transmission charges  which put Scottish power stations at an automatic and totally unfair disadvantage and a change to  the Tories’ disastrous policy on renewables investment – widely criticised by the industry.
 
‘’I will want an answer on the key question of the alarming notification of ‘ inadequate system margin ‘ from the National Grid – which means that the margin between the lights remaining on and the country being in the dark,  is simply too close for comfort.
 
“It’s abundantly clear that the UK Government’s unfair transmission charging regime is also causing real damage to our energy sector – threatening security of supply, holding back the potential of our power stations and putting jobs at risk. The security of our future electricity supply and the jobs of the many hard-working people in the sector must not be put at risk by the continuation of this unfair, indefensible practice.
 
“It is time for the UK Government to take real action. I fully intend to keep up the pressure as I really do not think this Government fully understand or appreciate what needs to be done.”