“Scotland worst affected” by cuts to onshore wind/Scottish Gov.

Fri, 26/06/2015 – 13:13

Energy experts have condemned the UK government for their decision to cut subsidies for onshore wind energy, which will leave Scotland the “worst affected”.

Professor Peter Strachan of Robert Gordon University and Aberdeen University’s Dr David Toke warned of the consequences for Scotland’s onshore wind industry including a threat to thousands of jobs. In an article for Energy Voice, they said the UK government’s decision to cut subsidies for onshore wind and future prospects for the onshore wind industry across the UK and particularly in Scotland “appear dire”.

Commenting, SNP Energy and Climate Change spokesperson Callum McCaig MP said:

“The Tory government are being reckless with Scotland’s onshore wind industry.

“It’s clear that energy budgets are at severe risk of being spent on new nuclear at the expense of renewable energy – which will hit both jobs in the renewable sector and hit consumers in the pocket. The UK Government needs to have a serious re-think.

“As highlighted by Professor Strachan and Dr Toke, in Scotland we have fantastic opportunities to be a world leader in a range of renewable technologies which provide clean, sustainable power which we simply must capitalise on.

“The UK Government needs to immediately re-consider its wrong-headed priorities and deliver an energy policy fit for the 21st Century – ensuring its obsession with nuclear energy is not allowed to put Scotland’s renewable industry at a disadvantage.”