Energy: Report for Greens shows how to double our power
A report for the Scottish Greens published today shows how more low-carbon power could be generated for less money by devolving control over Scottish consumers' electricity bills.
Across the UK, electricity consumers are set to pay around £16 a year for 35 years for the UK government's new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset but analysis by Dr David Toke, Reader in Energy Politics at the University of Aberdeen, shows that for the same amount, Scots could fund almost twice as much power from onshore and offshore wind farms.
Mark Ruskell MSP, Energy spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said:
"Scotland is missing out as wind power costs fall rapidly, with some especially low prices being reported in Denmark and the Netherlands. With devolution of control over energy payments, we could achieve better value for money for Scottish consumers.
"As well as not supporting the UK government's love of nuclear with its toxic legacy, devolution of this funding mechanism would enable us to agree cheaper prices with renewable energy providers over a longer period, ending the uncertainty caused by the Tories' anti-renewables position. The report we published today shows how to get more low-carbon energy for less money. This merits serious consideration by both Scottish and UK governments."