Kevin Scott, Business Correspondent
THE chief executive of Scottish Power Renewables has accused the UK
Government of being “allergic” to onshore wind power.
Keith Anderson was speaking at the All-Energy 2017 conference in Glasgow,
where Nicola Sturgeon said plans to generate half of all Scotland’s energy
needs from renewable sources by 2030 showed it was already a world leader
in the sector.
Mr Anderson, who is also chief corporate officer for Scottish Power, told
delegates that the Conservatives’ plan to cap energy prices addressed the
symptoms and not the cause of the issues facing the energy industry.
He said that the inclusion of energy as one of the ten pillars of the UK
Government’s industrial strategy was to be welcomed, but “that part of the
industrial strategy was transformed way beyond being a strategy and quite
clearly turned into an election campaign and policy pledge”.
He added that he agreed with the government that the Competition and
Markets Authority hadn’t done enough to protect energy customers, but the
government needed to examine the entire sector and its supply chain, “not
just try to fix everything by fixing energy prices”.
Telling delegates at the SEC Centre that the majority of Scottish Power’s
5.4 million retail customers wanted onshore energy, he said: “Onshore wind
is the cheapest form of renewable energy, it’s been hugely successful right
across the whole of the UK and particularly in Scotland, yet we appear to
have a UK government that is allergic to onshore wind and we don’t really
know why and they aren’t very good at explaining their reasons.”
He added: “If like us, this government truly wants clean energy in the most
cost effective way for the benefit of customers then surely, like us, they
must know that onshore wind has to be part of the future of the UK energy
sector.”
Speaking after the opening day plenary session, at which he spoke alongside
the First Minister, Mr Anderson said the only way to create competition and
drive down prices for consumers was to abolish the standard variable rate
by setting targets for the gradual reduction of customers on such tariffs.
“It will increase competition and save much more than the much
bandied-about £100 for families,” he said.
The First Minister also accused the Conservative Government of falling
short in its commitment to renewable energy, telling delegates: “The UK
Government’s support for renewables seems to come second to investment in
new nuclear power stations.”
Ms Sturgeon outlined her government’s “hugely ambitious” target of
generating half of Scotland’s energy needs through renewables by 2030. The
number – which encompasses electricity, heat and transport – is currently
15 per cent.
“Our aim is crystal clear – we want renewable sources to play the major
role in meeting Scotland’s energy needs,” she said, highlighting that
Scotland was emerging as a world leader in low carbon and renewable energy.
“Across wind, wave and tidal, not to mention hydro and solar, Scotland’s
renewable sector really is a global leader and by setting a new energy
target we are ensuring that continues and that all of us can reap the
benefits,” she said.
Ms Sturgeon also said the skills and experience of the oil and gas sector
could contribute to the success of the low carbon energy future, and added
that the Scottish Government remained committed to the North Sea industry.
“Alongside renewables it is important that we continue to support our oil
and gas sector,” she said. “During the low carbon transition, hydrocarbons
will continue to meet the world’s energy needs so a secure supply of oil
and gas will be an important part of Scotland’s energy mix for a long time
to come.”
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