Questioning the Secretary of State during the annual energy statement in the House of Commons today (Wednesday) SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson Mike Weir MP pressed the UK Government over progress in reforming the outdated and discriminatory system of transmission charging.

Mr Weir said:

"The UK Government must deliver a fundamental and effective change to create a fairer charging regime - one that does not penalise generators and developers in the very areas with the best renewable resource.

"Scotland has some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe, with a quarter of Europe's tidal and offshore wind potential and a tenth of its wave power. That is why the Scottish Government have set an ambitious, but achievable, target of the equivalent of all of Scotland's energy needs to come from renewables by 2020.

"The locational energy charging approach means that generators in the North of Scotland have the highest transmission charges in the UK, while those in other parts of the UK are subsidised.

"This approach makes no sense, and is a barrier to renewable energy generation in Scotland. It is not fit for purpose to deliver a more sustainable, low carbon energy mix, ensure security of energy supply and meet Scottish, UK and EU renewable energy targets.

“Scotland has overwhelming energy potential but our future wealth is being sabotaged by these unfair charges which discriminate against Scotland.