Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-02919, in the name of Paul Wheelhouse, on support for Scotland’s renewables. We have already eaten into t...

The Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy (Paul Wheelhouse) SNP

This afternoon, I want to pay tribute to Scotland’s renewable energy industry and highlight some of our renewable energy achievements. I also want to set out...

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

The Low Carbon Contracts Company has published a booklet for 2016-17 that says that its intention is “to provide long-term revenue stability to low-carbon G...

Paul Wheelhouse SNP

Mr Stevenson is absolutely right. I bow to his experience in his previous role as Minister for Environment and Climate Change. I know that he has experienced...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

Will the minister give way?

Paul Wheelhouse SNP

I am sorry, I am really pressed for time. It is regrettable that the UK Government does not appear to have learned the lessons from wind power, when it miss...

Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Con

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, in particular to my involvement in renewable energy. The Scottish Conservatives welcome t...

Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) SNP

Will the member admit that the carbon emissions levels from the UK as a whole are not helped by the Tory Government’s obsession with fracking?

Alexander Burnett Con

The only issue that we in Scotland have with fracking is that it is completely hypocritical to take a stance on it while importing fracked gas from America, ...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

I welcome the opportunity to debate renewables. We will consider the draft energy strategy in the new year, and there will be a longer period for discussion ...

Stewart Stevenson SNP

Will Jackie Baillie congratulate the firm BiFab, which is on the Isle of Lewis, and its workers, who are successfully starting work on 28 jackets and eight p...

Jackie Baillie Lab

I absolutely welcome that. I just want to see more of that, and I am sure that Stewart Stevenson does, too. The Scottish Government economic strategy in 201...

Paul Wheelhouse SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Jackie Baillie Lab

I really should make progress. Although that is disappointing, I am ever hopeful for change from the minister. As a general principle—I think that he would ...

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Green

I declare an interest as a councillor in Stirling. I thank the Scottish Government for lodging the motion for this afternoon’s debate. It is right that, as ...

Gillian Martin SNP

With regard to the target that Mark Ruskell is asking for in his amendment, does he agree that, if we were to set a target of 50 per cent, we would need to d...

Mark Ruskell Green

That is, rightly, for the energy strategy to set out. Today, we are putting forward a number of policies and ideas that should be taken seriously by the Gove...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to open speeches of up to six minutes, please. Ivan McKee will be followed by Liam Kerr. 15:26

Ivan McKee (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) SNP

Scotland has made tremendous progress in green energy infrastructure and capacity over recent years, and we now generate more than half our electricity requi...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I live in Aberdeen. I have worked there—predominantly in advising the energy sector—for more than 13 years. I am now privileged to represent it as part of th...

Stewart Stevenson SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Liam Kerr Con

Will I get time at the end if I do so, Presiding Officer?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

No.

Liam Kerr Con

Then, no. I am afraid not, Mr Stevenson. I welcome the news that “Vattenfall has agreed to move into Aberdeen harbour to support the construction of Scotla...

Gillian Martin SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Liam Kerr Con

No—I am afraid not. Let us talk about how the UK is now in second place, behind Denmark, in the most recent climate change performance index. Let us talk ab...

Jackie Baillie Lab

Will the member take an intervention on that point?

Liam Kerr Con

I really cannot, because I do not have time—

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

It is up to you, Mr Kerr, not me.

Liam Kerr Con

I will take an intervention on that point.