SNP concern over green subsidy cut

SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, has accused the UK Government of undermining the development of green energy and questioned the commitment of UK Ministers to carbon reduction, after the Westminster Government shelved plans to subsidise renewable energy schemes in the Scottish islands.

The changes mean that green energy schemes in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles face the prospect crippling transmission charges.

Mr Weir said:

"Instead of encouraging green energy projects, the UK Government seems intent on undermining them.

"The decision to impose these crippling transmission charges threatens the development of clean, renewable energy in Scotland, and raises fundamental questions about the commitment of UK Ministers to carbon reduction.

"Scotland has the potential to be the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy but time and again obstacles are put in the way. The UK Government should reverse this ridiculous decision to assist in the future developments of wind, wave and tidal power.

"Gordon Brown claims to be serious about carbon reduction – now is the time to prove it and stop Ofgem imposing these ludicrous and discriminatory locational charges on the Scottish renewable industry."