Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 18 June 2013
18 Jun 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Hydro Power
I agree that environmental issues are important and must be more seriously taken into account.
Mary Scanlon has somewhat spoiled my peroration, such as it was, but that need not trouble anyone unduly. I will revert to my conclusion—perhaps a bit less levity from me would help.
Hydroelectricity has transformed the living standards of people who live in remote areas of the Highlands and Islands. Tom Johnston was pivotal to that. It was cross-party consensual effort, when he was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland by Winston Churchill, that enabled that transformation, and no doubt Tom Johnston was not hindered by the lack of parliamentary scrutiny during the second world war. Be that as it may, Tom Johnston’s work and the work of other people, particularly those who built the hydro schemes, sometimes in dangerous circumstances, led to huge opportunities for economic regeneration, the benefits of which we reap—and perhaps take for granted—today.
The Highlands and Islands are again at the forefront of opportunities in the renewable energy world. This is an exciting time. It is fitting to remember the days, 70 years ago, when another Scot was leading the charge and leading it well, with marvellous results. I hope that history will repeat itself in the context of renewable energy over the next 70 years.
I move,
That the Parliament welcomes the continuing commitment of the Scottish Government to developing hydropower; acknowledges the proud tradition that Scotland has in generating hydroelectricity, as championed by the former secretary of state, Tom Johnston MP, and the many homes and businesses that this has benefitted; notes that 2013 is a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act 1943, which enabled large-scale renewable energy development in Scotland; recognises the potential for and value of further pump storage hydro-projects in Scotland; further notes the importance of harnessing new hydropower in bringing economic benefits while reducing emissions; further recognises the importance of micro-hydropower in terms of community ownership, which can create opportunities to empower and enrich communities; recognises that developing as a hydro-nation is a huge opportunity for Scotland, and acknowledges the valuable contribution that hydropower generation makes to Scotland’s renewable targets.
Mary Scanlon has somewhat spoiled my peroration, such as it was, but that need not trouble anyone unduly. I will revert to my conclusion—perhaps a bit less levity from me would help.
Hydroelectricity has transformed the living standards of people who live in remote areas of the Highlands and Islands. Tom Johnston was pivotal to that. It was cross-party consensual effort, when he was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland by Winston Churchill, that enabled that transformation, and no doubt Tom Johnston was not hindered by the lack of parliamentary scrutiny during the second world war. Be that as it may, Tom Johnston’s work and the work of other people, particularly those who built the hydro schemes, sometimes in dangerous circumstances, led to huge opportunities for economic regeneration, the benefits of which we reap—and perhaps take for granted—today.
The Highlands and Islands are again at the forefront of opportunities in the renewable energy world. This is an exciting time. It is fitting to remember the days, 70 years ago, when another Scot was leading the charge and leading it well, with marvellous results. I hope that history will repeat itself in the context of renewable energy over the next 70 years.
I move,
That the Parliament welcomes the continuing commitment of the Scottish Government to developing hydropower; acknowledges the proud tradition that Scotland has in generating hydroelectricity, as championed by the former secretary of state, Tom Johnston MP, and the many homes and businesses that this has benefitted; notes that 2013 is a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act 1943, which enabled large-scale renewable energy development in Scotland; recognises the potential for and value of further pump storage hydro-projects in Scotland; further notes the importance of harnessing new hydropower in bringing economic benefits while reducing emissions; further recognises the importance of micro-hydropower in terms of community ownership, which can create opportunities to empower and enrich communities; recognises that developing as a hydro-nation is a huge opportunity for Scotland, and acknowledges the valuable contribution that hydropower generation makes to Scotland’s renewable targets.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-07024, in the name of Fergus Ewing, on hydro power in Scotland.You have a generous 14 minutes, minister.1...
The Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism (Fergus Ewing)
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will revert from fortissimo to pianoforte in my tone.I very much welcome the opportunity to discuss the development of hydro ...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I fully support the expansion of hydro schemes. Hydro is a wonderful industrial success. Will the minister ensure that it is also an environmental success, i...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I agree that environmental issues are important and must be more seriously taken into account.Mary Scanlon has somewhat spoiled my peroration, such as it was...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
I call Ken Macintosh, who has a very generous 11 minutes.14:29
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
Including the minister’s four unused minutes, Presiding Officer?I suspect that many members feel, as I do, a sense of pride and achievement in Scotland’s hyd...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
I call Mary Scanlon, who has a generous seven minutes.14:40
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
We are delighted to contribute to this debate on hydro power in Scotland in recognition of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Hydro-Electric Deve...
Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Hear, hear.
Mary Scanlon
Con
I thank Richard Lyle for his comments. He was very supportive in my recent members’ business debate on the subject.For all that—and all that—two contractors ...
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
Hydro power is perhaps the least contentious of our renewables technologies, and the lack of amendments to the motion might be evidence of that. However, tha...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Does Mr MacKenzie remember those days?
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
I am grateful to Mr Fraser for introducing a note of humour into the debate.It is hard now to relate to those concerns of more than a century ago, and it is ...
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I have to say that until now I have enjoyed the history lesson that has been part of the debate.It is right that we celebrate all that has been achieved in g...
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
Does the member accept that it is the UK Government’s failure to upgrade our grid quickly enough that is limiting our ability to decarbonise the energy suppl...
Margaret McDougall
Lab
No. I will not turn around and blame the UK Government; there are things that we can do in Scotland.Supplying 100 per cent of Scotland’s energy from renewabl...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I agree with much of what the member has said. She said that she would like the Scottish Government to do more to strengthen the grid. Given that there are p...
Margaret McDougall
Lab
Perhaps I can explain that as I go on.I fully appreciate that the Scottish Government is not solely responsible for the implementation of new hydro power sta...
Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
SNP
Tom Johnston brought about his hydro power revolution as a result of the particular conditions of total war, when landlord opposition could be waved aside in...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to take part in the debate. Hydro power provides energy and jobs to many rural communities, and it can also play a significant part in Scotland ...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I entirely agree that we want to do everything practical and sensible that we can to encourage communities to develop their own schemes and, when possible, t...
Claire Baker
Lab
Those are welcome comments from the minister.When I speak to people in the sector, the feeling seems to be that there is quite a gap between a community that...
Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
This is a timely debate that examines the past, present and future of one of Scotland’s most valuable assets—a source of renewable energy that can help to co...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
As Margaret McDougall rightly said, we have already had a historical tour de force. I particularly commend Rob Gibson’s speech, in that respect.On the 70th a...
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
As the member for Orkney, surely Mr McArthur is frustrated with the UK Government for not getting on and putting in place the interconnector to Orkney so tha...
Liam McArthur
LD
I certainly share the frustrations of those who are looking to get on and deliver renewables, not just in Orkney but in the other island groups, but I do not...
Stuart McMillan
SNP
Will Liam McArthur give way?
Liam McArthur
LD
I will make some progress, but will come back to Mr McMillan, if I can.There seems to be a case for looking again at how degression will apply in relation to...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Water is important to us. That is a self-evident truth, not least because each and every one of us is made up of about 80 per cent water. Without water, ther...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
Mr Stevenson, will you begin to conclude, please?