Chamber
Plenary, 21 Feb 2007
21 Feb 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Environment
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 example, the SNP has completely sold the pass on wind farm development. It initially called for an upgrade of the Beauly to Denny power line, but now, since the matter has become contentious, it has sold the pass on that, too. Richard Lochhead used the word "cowardly." That is a word to be applied to the Scottish National Party.
I want to make my commitment to renewable energy perfectly clear. I believe in the well-tested technology of onshore wind power, which SNP members do not mention any more. Richard Lochhead did not mention it in his speech; he mentioned offshore wind power, but not onshore wind power. The 40-plus turbine wind power station at Farr was opened a few months ago, but not one SNP Highland member attended, not even the constituency member. Does that show that the SNP is committed to renewable energy? I do not think so.
I believe in wind power, and I believe in large commercial wind farms that are appropriately sited. I also believe in community wind farms, both large and small, which will provide energy and an income for villages, townships, housing schemes or islands. The island of Gigha is a good example, and it is unfortunate that hysteria has prevented some other communities from following suit. I know that the wind does not always blow, but it blows in Scotland more than in most places, and we can invest in other renewables to fill the gap.
I do not think that we will need a new generation of nuclear power stations in Scotland. Yesterday, the Deputy First Minister made the most significant announcement on investment in marine energy research and the development of a commercial wave power farm west of Orkney. Richard Lochhead described that as "a step", but I am sure that it is the start of an enormous bonanza for Scotland, not just in producing energy but in manufacturing the devices that will harness the waves and tides and exporting those and our expertise worldwide.
Wind and wave power have particular application in the Highlands and Islands, but if we are to be the powerhouse of renewables, we must be able to deliver power to the grid. I would like to hear all SNP members who are in favour of producing renewable energy in the Highlands and Islands say loudly and clearly that they support the necessary upgrading of the grid that will carry that power from Beauly to Denny.
I want to make my commitment to renewable energy perfectly clear. I believe in the well-tested technology of onshore wind power, which SNP members do not mention any more. Richard Lochhead did not mention it in his speech; he mentioned offshore wind power, but not onshore wind power. The 40-plus turbine wind power station at Farr was opened a few months ago, but not one SNP Highland member attended, not even the constituency member. Does that show that the SNP is committed to renewable energy? I do not think so.
I believe in wind power, and I believe in large commercial wind farms that are appropriately sited. I also believe in community wind farms, both large and small, which will provide energy and an income for villages, townships, housing schemes or islands. The island of Gigha is a good example, and it is unfortunate that hysteria has prevented some other communities from following suit. I know that the wind does not always blow, but it blows in Scotland more than in most places, and we can invest in other renewables to fill the gap.
I do not think that we will need a new generation of nuclear power stations in Scotland. Yesterday, the Deputy First Minister made the most significant announcement on investment in marine energy research and the development of a commercial wave power farm west of Orkney. Richard Lochhead described that as "a step", but I am sure that it is the start of an enormous bonanza for Scotland, not just in producing energy but in manufacturing the devices that will harness the waves and tides and exporting those and our expertise worldwide.
Wind and wave power have particular application in the Highlands and Islands, but if we are to be the powerhouse of renewables, we must be able to deliver power to the grid. I would like to hear all SNP members who are in favour of producing renewable energy in the Highlands and Islands say loudly and clearly that they support the necessary upgrading of the grid that will carry that power from Beauly to Denny.
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...