The Scots do not hold back when it comes to renewable energy. Scotland’s Chief Scientific adviser, Anne Glover, speaking on BBC Politics confirmed this week that Scotland has the scientific and engineering skills to develop 40% of Europe’s renewable energy potential.
MSP Rob Gibson – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Transport and Climate Change Committee welcomed Prof. Glover’s comments and said “Every penny wasted on new nuclear technology would be a penny less for the development of clean, green energy.
“Scotland is well on course to be the clean, green energy capital of Europe – we already have a greater installed capacity of renewable energy than nuclear. Developing this massive potential is the way forward for energy security and safety in Scotland.
We can achieve secure, clean, low carbon energy by harnessing Scotland’s vast green potential, tackling climate change without adding to the burden of toxic radioactive waste.”
Solar panels, biomass systems and ground and water source heat pumps are now counted as Permitted Development, meaning that planning permission is not needed, unless you live in a conservation area or other sensitive area where permitted development rights have been withdrawn.
Whitehall’s Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy has been criticised by the Scottish National Party for joining the “nuclear lobby’s marketing men”. Murphy in return accused the SNP administration of failing to make any sophisticated argument to support its opposition to nuclear power. It would miss out on billions of pounds in investment and thousands of jobs, he insisted.
The UK government has told the Calman Commission, which is reviewing the devolved administration’s powers, that Scotland’s position on nuclear could undermine its energy policy. This is despite Murphy’s statement last year that nuclear plant planning decisions would stay in Scottish hands.
