The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng has confirmed that the UK Government will not use its powers to override planning decisions and “impose” new nuclear power stations on Scotland.
Speaking on BBC Good Morning Scotland about the newly-published energy security strategy, he said: “We are planning nuclear plants in England and Wales - we have no plans to impose nuclear plants in Scotland, that is, up for the people in Edinburgh to decide for themselves - it's a devolved issue.”
The long-awaited report includes plans for eight reactors - the equivalent of one a year - to be delivered by the end of this decade, as part of a drive for “cleaner and more affordable energy”, with the aim of 95% of electricity coming from low-carbon sources by 2030.
Kwarteng's appearance followed that of Scottish Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson who confirmed that if the UK Government tried to build nuclear power stations in Scotland it would use its planning powers to stop them.
Scotland currently has only one nuclear power station, the Torness plant in East Lothian, after the Hunterston B site in North Ayrshire closed in January.
Matheson also criticised the UK Government, claiming it had not been consulted as apart of the energy security strategy and not seen a copy of the report prior to being published this morning.
“The UK Government hasn't provided a copy to the Scottish government and they haven’t engaged with us in the development of the strategy.
“Having written to them last month, setting out a range of action that we believe they should take and the fact it will lean very heavily on Scotland’s energy resources, it's critical that the Scottish Government were involved in the shaping of any strategy and consulted on its contents - but sadly none of that has happened, which is completely unacceptable.
“Given that Scotland is an export of energy to other parts of the UK and will continue to become even more important, as we move towards becoming a net zero society we are in situation where I’m afraid I can’t tell you what is going to be in this strategy, but what I do know is that it will lean on Scotland’s energy resources on the years to come.”
However, Kwarteng disputed the fact that the Scottish Government had not been a part of the discussions, stating that he was “disappointed that Mr Matheson said what he had said”.
He added: “We have always engaged with colleagues in Scotland on the net zero strategy, again on the hydrogen strategy, and we have plenty of conversations with Scottish colleagues in the run-up to this strategy.”
In terms of the future of nuclear power in the UK, Kwarteng explained that it is an important part of the mix, as a potentially endless source of energy, helping to created a “balanced energy system”.
Meanwhile, Matheson said that the Scottish Government was against more nuclear power for three reasons: its long legacy in terms of construction cost and nuclear waste, concerns around safety, and that it is the “most expensive form of electricity”, with renewable alternatives being cheaper to run and better at helping lower peoples household bills - adding that nuclear is “heavily subsidised”.
He commented: “Renewables, such as wind and marine tidal, in the future would reduce the cost.
“The UK Government may have wrapped itself in the nuclear lobby here - it is more likely to push up the energy costs in the future, whereas renewables are much much cheaper in price.”
Matheson also argued that the energy security strategy should include “ramping up of investment” in energy efficiency programmes to reduce demand for energy, pointing out that the cheapest form of energy is the energy that is not used.
Did did however concede that oil and gas “will be an important part of our energy mix as we go forward”, while noting that the government should make renewable energy sources “the backbone of our energy systems”.
Scottish Greens energy and climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell responded: “This strategy presented another opportunity for the Westminster government to help those struggling most, but it seems it's an opportunity missed.
“Earlier this week the UN warned that we’re facing a now or never moment to tackle the climate emergency - incredibly, Boris Johnson’s answer is to approve a new licensing round for North Sea oil and gas.
“A commitment to new nuclear power will take decades to deliver costly energy, produce a toxic waste legacy, and apparently still deliver less energy than the Scottish Government’s ScotWind offshore programme.
“Scotland has 25% of all Europe’s offshore renewables potential, with independence we could lead Europe in the just transition to our renewables future.
“Instead, with the climate denying Tories in the driving seat it seems we’re going full speed ahead toward climate breakdown.”
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