SNP MPs to call for ‘consumer-friendly’ energy market at party conference

The SNP’s annual conference will tomorrow (14 October) in Glasgow debate a motion calling for a ‘consumer-friendly’ energy market.

The motion has been put forward by Callum McCaig, (MP, Aberdeen South) the party’s Energy spokesman in the Commons, and Angus MacNeil, MP (Western Isles), Chairman of the Commons’ Select Committee on Energy. It calls on the SNP to note:

• The damage that has been done to Scotland’s energy sector by the UK Government’s cut in subsidies support for renewable energy
• The failure of the UK Government to deliver Contracts For Difference for the main Scottish islands, and:
• The ‘damaging’ transmission charging regime which financially penalises electricity generation in Scotland and which led to the ‘premature’ closure of coal-burning Longannet power station.

The motion also highlights the fact that by continuing in the UK wide energy market, Scottish consumers will be subsidising an expensive new generation of nuclear power plant beginning with Hinkley Point – at the expense of further development of low carbon generation in Scotland

The MPs also call on the SNP-led minority Scottish Government to develop plans for an ‘independent, balanced electricity network’ to ensure Scotland’s energy needs are met, climate change targets are reached and economic potential realised’.

The motion makes no reference to neither shale energy nor nuclear energy, although the French company which owns the Scottish nuclear power stations is sponsoring a fringe meeting at the party’s conference.