How will the SNP make Scotland’s energy work for Scotland

The SNP is clear: we must realise Scotland’s extraordinary natural resources and power on with renewables. We are committed to capitalising on our natural resources and pursuing a green reindustrialisation of Scotland that will produce high-quality jobs, stimulate economic growth, fight poverty and fund strong public services.

Renewable energy is already delivering formidably for Scotland; reaching a record high in the first half of 2024. Scotland’s net zero sector has grown by more than 20% since 2022, with employment in the sector growing by the equivalent of 16,500 new full-time jobs.

ScotWind has put Scotland at the forefront of global development of offshore wind – ensuring long-term energy affordability as one of the cheapest forms of energy. With the Scottish Government’s backing, Scotland can lead the net zero revolution, creating jobs, reskilling opportunities and investing in a domestic supply chain.

We are absolutely committed to a fair and just transition to net zero. The north-east was long been known as the oil and gas capital of Europe – with the SNP’s backing, it can become the net zero capital of the world.

We are committed to capitalising on the enormous opportunities that a net zero energy system offers our industries, our economy and our climate.

Our focus is on reducing emissions in line with climate commitments, delivering affordable energy supplies and ensuring that a just transition for the oil and gas workforce is secured to deliver a net zero future as the resources in the North Sea decline.

Any development of oil and gas licensing from the UK Government must be undertaken in a way that is compatible with Scotland’s journey to net zero.

We need an oil and gas sector that’s strong enough and robust enough to contribute to our transition to net zero. A just transition from oil and gas cannot be delivered – for the people and businesses that rely on it – if the life is squeezed out of the sector overnight.

It would be wrong to stop all future activity overnight – it could threaten energy security while destroying the very skills we need to transition to the new low-carbon economy.

The SNP wants to work with the oil and gas sector to ensure its fiscal sustainability, so that the sector can support the just transition to renewables. We will focus on ensuring that a just transition for the oil and gas workforce is secured to a net zero future.

But we must go further. The accelerated decline in the North Sea must be stopped; the Energy Profits Levy should be scrapped and a proportionate tax regime established. The windfall tax was first introduced by the Tories and continued beyond all justification by Labour.

Thatcher’s policies wiped out our industrial communities – Westminster’s windfall tax is doing the same to today’s North Sea workers.

We believe in supporting communities to play an active role in shaping their energy future, not just hosting developments, but helping to lead them.

The SNP is committed to ensuring that the transition to net zero delivers real and lasting benefits for communities. Scotland’s energy transition is not just about infrastructure, it’s about people.

Scotland is moving beyond the idea of communities as passive hosts of energy infrastructure. Ownership and control of land is a powerful tool for Scotland’s communities to drive change and can help to develop local economies, provide activities and services, and boost community identity. We support communities to become active partners; investing in, owning, and benefiting from the clean energy future.

Scotland’s energy wealth has been squandered as a cash cow for the Treasury, while ordinary Scots pay some of the highest bills in Europe. In a nation as energy rich as Scotland it is a disgrace that so many of our citizens are so energy poor.

The blame lies squarely at Westminster’s door; key powers over industry, trade, industrial relations, employment law and energy are all in Labour’s hands.

If we repeat the same mistakes of the past – and allow Scotland’s immense natural resources to be mismanaged by Westminster – then we risk the same fate. With the full powers of independence, we can take full control of Scotland’s resources and use them for the benefit of our citizens – lowering bills and improving energy security.