Fergus Ewing, the Scottish Energy Minister, has criticised the UK government announces on changes to renewable energy subsidies, saying these will costs Scots jobs and investments.
He said; “Whilst we welcome the modest concessions made to the offshore sector, I am concerned that Scotland and the UK are forfeiting the opportunity to develop this industry – thus losing out on jobs and investment.
“The UK’s ambitions for offshore wind, wave and tidal are still pitched too low, and the risk remains that this support will not be sufficient to build capacity in the supply chain and attract the necessary levels of inward investment to Scotland.
“The UK Government’s continued enthusiasm for new nuclear, underlined by the announcement about the proposed development at Wylfa Newydd on Anglesey, is particularly striking – because we now know that onshore wind will be cheaper to support over the coming years than nuclear power.
“Scotland remains a hugely attractive place to invest in and develop renewables projects. We continue to believe that as much of our huge resource as possible should be developed – as long as projects are suitably located – and that Scotland continues to play a vital role in helping the UK meet its binding targets and ensuring secure, sustainable supplies of power.”
“For months, and in many letters and meetings, the Scottish Government has been making the case for a better deal for Scottish islands in the UK Energy Bill. I will seek urgent discussions with Treasury Ministers including Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander about these important issues.”
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