Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 February 2015
25 Feb 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Energy Strategy
Murdo Fraser indicated that he had tried to find the kindest thing that he could say about my amendment. I appreciate the effort that he went to, but I am happy to acknowledge that I could have survived without that particular kindness this week. However, let me repay the compliment, because there was something in his opening remarks that we can agree on. He made it clear that the Government’s position of placing the emphasis regarding recent developments at Longannet purely on the transmission charging regime is at best a partial description of current circumstances. In that regard, his motion is right to refer to
“EU emissions rules and carbon pricing”.
I happily acknowledge that the transmission charging regime is clearly a factor; I will go as far in the minister’s direction as that. However, it is not a new factor but a long-standing one. I find it hard to rationalise a position that places such a heavy emphasis on that long-standing factor to explain recent events, which is what the minister does.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-12395, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on an energy strategy for Scotland. I call Murdo Fraser to speak to a...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Last week, we had yet more unwelcome news about the future of the Longannet power station in Fife. As someone who represents the area, I am well aware of the...
The Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism (Fergus Ewing)
SNP
Does Murdo Fraser recognise that I have made clear not only for the past four years, but in our “Electricity Generation Policy Statement—2013” that we will c...
Murdo Fraser
Con
If that is the minister’s position, he is not convincing anyone involved in the industry. Just last week, Professor Paul Younger, the professor of energy eng...
Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I have before me a letter. It is—members have heard me use this phrase before—a “Dear Chic, from Nick” letter. It talks about the coalition’s objectives on n...
Murdo Fraser
Con
The reality is that all energy sources require a level of subsidy. That is the regime that we have under contracts for difference. However, Mr Brodie needs t...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Will Mr Fraser give way?
Murdo Fraser
Con
No—I need to make some progress. In his amendment, the minister mentions “the need for increased investment in large-scale flexible electricity storage sol...
The Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism (Fergus Ewing)
SNP
I genuinely welcome the opportunity to debate this important matter, and I thank Murdo Fraser and his party for raising it in the chamber. Few things are of ...
Murdo Fraser
Con
Does the minister include in his denigration of all those who disagree with his stance Professor Paul Younger, professor of energy engineering at Glasgow uni...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
The member has asked three questions. I will not be drawn into commenting on particular individuals, but if Mr Fraser can demonstrate that I have said anythi...
Patrick Harvie
Green
Will the minister give way?
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I am sorry, but I do not have the time. I might come back to the member in my closing speech. The central conundrum for the Scottish Conservatives is this: ...
Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Longannet power station is under threat of closure, which is a matter of regret, but it should come as no surprise to anyone and least of all to ministers in...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Does Lewis Macdonald accept that CCS schemes—gas CCS at Peterhead and the white rose project for coal south of the border—are being agreed to go ahead? I tho...
Lewis Macdonald
Lab
I am sure that we all welcome that. I heard a good deal about the Peterhead gas CCS project last night at the Shell springboard event in Edinburgh. That is a...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Murdo Fraser indicated that he had tried to find the kindest thing that he could say about my amendment. I appreciate the effort that he went to, but I am ha...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
On the face of it, that is a fair point, but Mr Harvie will recollect quite well that SNP members—including Mike Weir back in 2005—and then the SNP Governmen...
Patrick Harvie
Green
I hope that the general point is made that the transmission charging regime is one factor among many and that the minister has failed to place sufficient emp...
Chic Brodie
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Patrick Harvie
Green
I am sorry, but I have to move on. Lewis Macdonald rightly emphasised the slight ambiguity in the wording on CCS in the minister’s amendment. The suggestion...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
We move to the open debate. We are very tight for time, as I said. Members have up to four minutes. 15:10
Mark McDonald (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
SNP
I have a lot to get through in my four minutes, so let us crack on. On Longannet, I hear the comments that are being made that transmission charging is only...
Murdo Fraser
Con
Will Mr McDonald give way?
Mark McDonald
SNP
I have only four minutes and I have a lot that I need to get through. We should also accept that—contrary to Murdo Fraser’s statements—transmission charging...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Will you draw to a close, please?
Mark McDonald
SNP
On security of supply, it is worth noting that, despite the Tories’ obsession with wind, there are other renewables options. The briefing by Aberdeen and Gra...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
You must close.
Mark McDonald
SNP
British Chambers of Commerce has said that it wants a 50-year energy security strategy from the UK Government. It would be worth our while to call for that b...
Cara Hilton (Dunfermline) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to take part in today’s debate on an issue that is of huge importance to Fife and to Scotland. Longannet sits on the west side of my constituenc...