The SNP has warned the new energy minister to keep new nuclear power out of Scotland.
SNP Westminster energy spokesperson Alan Brown said that the reported appointment of Andrew Bowie as nuclear energy minister was "pointless". He added that the Tories were "delusional" for thinking that nuclear power stations would bring down energy bills.
West Aberdeenshire MP Bowie is reportedly set to become the UK’s first ever nuclear energy minister.
This would putting him at odds with the Scottish Government in Edinburgh. The SNP has urged the UK Government to focus on renewables rather than nuclear power.
The UK and Scottish governments have regularly argued about energy policy. They recently disagreed over the future of oil and gas and potential new nuclear stations.
The SNP’s Westminster energy spokesman Alan Brown said: “Andrew Bowie must be taking up one of the most pointless ministerial positions in the UK government.
“If the Tories think they will bring down energy bills by building nuclear power stations that won’t be ready for years to come then they are more delusional than we thought.
“Scotland is awash with renewable energy potential and Andrew Bowie should be focusing his efforts there, as it will create jobs for his constituents for decades to come and will ensure we are using Scotland’s energy potential to the fullest.”
He added: “Households across Scotland are desperate for solutions to sky-high energy bills now and nuclear power will not provide that answer – indeed, the Government has confirmed it will increase our energy bills.
“Scotland is rich with renewable energy potential and we cannot have our resources squandered once again by successive Westminster governments, that is why the only way we can harness the potential of Scotland’s energy is by becoming an independent country.”
The SNP’s energy spokesman added that nuclear projects were “one of the most expensive forms of energy”, with costs for building Hinkley Point C in Somerset rising to £33 billion according to reports this week, and the cost for the Sizewell C site potentially rising above £30 billion.
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