Chamber
Plenary, 21 Feb 2007
21 Feb 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Environment
I have already outlined the Executive's position. Our policy on new nuclear power stations was made clear in response to the Department of Trade and Industry's energy review, and it will be set out again in the UK Government's proposed white paper, which I am reliably informed will be produced shortly. The white paper will, I am sure, also recognise the huge potential of renewable energy in Scotland not only to meet our own needs but to contribute to the UK's climate change objectives. We cannot compartmentalise the fight against climate change by using national boundaries—that is an example of the futility of the nationalists' position.
Scotland has tremendous renewables potential—equal to 10 times our peak demand. We also have the skills and technology that are necessary for a successful renewables sector. Our own targets are way ahead of those of the rest of the UK and those proposed by the European Commission.
As has been referred to—and, indeed, welcomed—we announced this week that, in 2005, 18 per cent of Scotland's demand was met by renewable energy. We set that target for 2010. We are determined to meet our target of 40 per cent by 2020.
Hydro power and onshore wind are the principal sources of renewable energy today, and they have further potential. For larger cases, the Executive is taking action that could help to reduce the number of stages in the consent process. That is a key issue for staff attention. Only last week, I referred to the issue in response to a question from John Swinney.
However, onshore wind and hydro are by no means the only options. In Scotland, we have the scope to move into other areas. We are actively promoting energy from marine, biomass and hydrogen sources. We have invested in the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, which is a world-class facility for testing wave and tidal devices, as well as in the offshore wind project in the Moray firth. The key driving factor behind that growth has been the renewables obligation, which is a world-leading market mechanism for promoting renewables technology.
I would say much more if more time were available. We continue to work towards ambitious targets for sourcing our energy from a balanced energy mix. Some have said that that should exclude nuclear power. I do not believe that to be the case. I say to those people that, unless they support Roseanna Cunningham's view that all nuclear power stations should close tomorrow—which they do not—they must recognise that energy supply is not a simple issue and that it does the Scottish people no favours to pretend that it is. Together with the UK Government, the Executive will continue to work to ensure that Scotland has a secure, affordable and low-carbon energy supply.
I move amendment S2M-5607.3, to leave out from "welcomes" to end and insert:
"notes the ruling by the High Court in London regarding the UK Government consultation on energy; notes that the DTI has accepted the judgement and will consult further; believes that the way ahead for energy in Scotland is to deliver on the Scottish Executive's energy policies; further welcomes the announcement by the Executive that it has already met its 2010 target of 18% of Scotland's electricity from renewable energy; welcomes the Executive's support for nine marine power projects, including one set to be the world's largest, and its commitment to the world-leading European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney; notes that the achievement of the Executive's renewable energy targets has been through a mix of renewable technologies, including the major Blacklaw windfarm constructed on a former open-cast coal site generating 140MW; notes that projects for the future include the substantial Glen Doe hydro power project, world-leading offshore wind development and significant biomass energy schemes, and believes that Scotland can achieve its future renewables targets if it is supported with determination and consistency by the Executive."
Scotland has tremendous renewables potential—equal to 10 times our peak demand. We also have the skills and technology that are necessary for a successful renewables sector. Our own targets are way ahead of those of the rest of the UK and those proposed by the European Commission.
As has been referred to—and, indeed, welcomed—we announced this week that, in 2005, 18 per cent of Scotland's demand was met by renewable energy. We set that target for 2010. We are determined to meet our target of 40 per cent by 2020.
Hydro power and onshore wind are the principal sources of renewable energy today, and they have further potential. For larger cases, the Executive is taking action that could help to reduce the number of stages in the consent process. That is a key issue for staff attention. Only last week, I referred to the issue in response to a question from John Swinney.
However, onshore wind and hydro are by no means the only options. In Scotland, we have the scope to move into other areas. We are actively promoting energy from marine, biomass and hydrogen sources. We have invested in the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, which is a world-class facility for testing wave and tidal devices, as well as in the offshore wind project in the Moray firth. The key driving factor behind that growth has been the renewables obligation, which is a world-leading market mechanism for promoting renewables technology.
I would say much more if more time were available. We continue to work towards ambitious targets for sourcing our energy from a balanced energy mix. Some have said that that should exclude nuclear power. I do not believe that to be the case. I say to those people that, unless they support Roseanna Cunningham's view that all nuclear power stations should close tomorrow—which they do not—they must recognise that energy supply is not a simple issue and that it does the Scottish people no favours to pretend that it is. Together with the UK Government, the Executive will continue to work to ensure that Scotland has a secure, affordable and low-carbon energy supply.
I move amendment S2M-5607.3, to leave out from "welcomes" to end and insert:
"notes the ruling by the High Court in London regarding the UK Government consultation on energy; notes that the DTI has accepted the judgement and will consult further; believes that the way ahead for energy in Scotland is to deliver on the Scottish Executive's energy policies; further welcomes the announcement by the Executive that it has already met its 2010 target of 18% of Scotland's electricity from renewable energy; welcomes the Executive's support for nine marine power projects, including one set to be the world's largest, and its commitment to the world-leading European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney; notes that the achievement of the Executive's renewable energy targets has been through a mix of renewable technologies, including the major Blacklaw windfarm constructed on a former open-cast coal site generating 140MW; notes that projects for the future include the substantial Glen Doe hydro power project, world-leading offshore wind development and significant biomass energy schemes, and believes that Scotland can achieve its future renewables targets if it is supported with determination and consistency by the Executive."
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5607, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the environment.
Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
Last week, the High Court in London delivered the devastating judgment that the United Kingdom Government's decision to pursue a programme of new nuclear pow...
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Allan Wilson):
Lab
Mr Lochhead's latter point is interesting. I have noted his party leader's comments in the press about the subject. Does Mr Lochhead know how much BP demands...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
The key problem is that the UK Government has postponed a decision on the matter. We must decide now and get behind what is a massive opportunity for Scotlan...
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Allan Wilson):
Lab
We have just heard the usual litany of misrepresentation of the Executive's approach to renewable energy and our position on nuclear power. After all the deb...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
The First Minister has repeatedly said that the report of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management would indicate to him whether a solution had been fou...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I have already outlined the Executive's position. Our policy on new nuclear power stations was made clear in response to the Department of Trade and Industry...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
It is nice to get back to discussing the good old subjects: energy, and nuclear power's place in it, is one that we have discussed many times. However, I do ...
Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
No thank you.Where does that leave us in relation to the SNP motion? The SNP has lodged what can only be described as an opportunist motion—an attempt to rai...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
No. It is all very well for those of us who have the wealth and resources to depend on renewable energy to assume that we will manage to deal with the odd da...
Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (Sol):
Sol
Will the member take an intervention?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
No, thank you.The SNP has brought this subject to us again. We want to hear more about what it would do to ensure that we do not require nuclear energy—if th...
Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green):
Green
Many environmental threats face Scotland, but few pose such a dire threat as climate change. We all know that it is happening, what causes it and what needs ...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
We have heard tributes to Greenpeace's pioneering campaigning on environmental protection. Does Shiona Baird agree with Patrick Moore, the former leader of G...
Shiona Baird:
Green
We must recognise that there are quite a few supposed environmentalists who have changed their views. However, all their arguments can be undermined by the f...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
Apart from its welcoming the High Court judgment, of which I will say more later, the SNP motion is one that I could endorse. The difficulty that I have with...
Bruce Crawford:
SNP
On that point, on which I agree with the member, will she take an intervention?
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
I am sorry, but I have got a lot to get through in four minutes. Most important, building state-subsidised nuclear power plants will sap investment from the ...
The Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
NPA
This is a short debate and I ask for speeches of a maximum of four minutes. Even then, I am not sure that I can accommodate all members who wish to speak. I ...
Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
It is the two Maureens. Thank you, Presiding Officer.As this Blair Government thankfully nears its end, it will be remembered in a negative and discredited w...
Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
The Scottish National Party seems to be committed to renewables only until the going gets tough and its members think that they might lose a vote or two. For...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Maureen Macmillan:
Lab
No.I agree that we can have subsea cables down the east and west coasts and underground land cables when necessary, but that will require a lot of visible en...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
What about nuclear power?
Maureen Macmillan:
Lab
The member should stop shouting, for goodness' sake.I urge members to speak up for wind turbines, for marine power and for the necessary upgrading of the gri...
Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP):
SNP
Maureen Macmillan told Richard Lochhead to stop shouting, but our ears are sore from her shout—it was certainly not a speech.The Tory and Executive amendment...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
Is the member proposing that Scotland's or the UK's energy needs should be determined by public opinion polls?
Bruce Crawford:
SNP
In that case, I wonder why Mr Blair put the road charging petition on the 10 Downing Street website and sought people's views. Why would he do that if he doe...