Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 February 2026 [Draft]
05 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Energy Projects (Community Engagement)
The Scottish Government jointly commissioned the National Energy System Operator to produce the first SSEP for Great Britain. NESO is engaging with a wide range of groups on the development of the next plan, and the preferred pathway option will be consulted on in the next year.
I am keen to hear directly from Scotland’s communities about how those plans might affect them and how we can learn from their experiences to ensure that future plans build in effective engagement from the earliest possible stage. The Scottish Government will continue working with NESO and partners to ensure that the SSEP not only aligns with devolved powers and planning mechanisms, but delivers benefit for Scotland’s people and communities, and supports the just transition.
In the same item of business
2. Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
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Douglas Lumsden
Con
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Gillian Martin
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The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I have a number of supplementary questions. I will try to get through as many as I can, but they will need to be brief.
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
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Gillian Martin
SNP
The Scottish Government jointly commissioned the National Energy System Operator to produce the first SSEP for Great Britain. NESO is engaging with a wide ra...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Given that Berwick Bank has now been approved, what is the Scottish Government doing to work with the developer and local communities to reduce the project’s...
Gillian Martin
SNP
Sarah Boyack mentioned a lot of things in her question and, as she has suggested, I will write to her with more detail on them. On the issue of the impact on...
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
Members of the public must now submit their views on major projects through the energy consents unit portal. However, last week, a constituent said that the ...
Gillian Martin
SNP
I thank Foysol Choudhury for bringing that to my attention. If his constituents are having issues with the mechanisms that are there, I will take that back t...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
Given that the energy consents unit has removed the email and online routes for objections, leaving postal submissions as the only option for community group...
Gillian Martin
SNP
We want to make sure that people are able to put their points of view forward. I have indicated that we have done some work with the UK Government on affordi...
Finlay Carson
Con
They are objections.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Mr Carson, you have asked the question. Can we listen to the answer?
Gillian Martin
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is only fair that I am given the chance to answer.
Finlay Carson
Con
Answer the question.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Mr Carson.
Gillian Martin
SNP
I will write to the member. He might read that instead of not listening to me.