Scottish Conservative MSP Brian Whittle says it’s time for the SNP to rethink its opposition to nuclear power and secure Scotland’s energy security.
The South Scotland MSP believes that a new generation of nuclear power stations can play a vital role in Scotland’s domestic energy supply and support efforts to reach net-zero.
Nuclear power produced more than a quarter of Scotland’s electricity needs in 2020, but with the recent closure of Hunterston B and Scotland’s last nuclear power station at Torness due to close in 2028 Brian is urging the SNP to support new nuclear capacity.
The Scottish Conservative MSP believes that investment in a new generation of small, modular reactors can ensure Scotland has enough grid capacity to meet rising demand for electricity and help to balance out the sometimes inconsistent supply provided by renewables.
Brian argues that the current rise in gas and oil prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has underlined the importance of moving away from fossil fuels and believes it should spur greater investment in alternatives like nuclear.
The SNP, together with their Scottish Green coalition partners have refused to allow the development of new nuclear projects, arguing that existing renewable energy plans can meet demand. However, Brian has accused the Scottish Government of short-sightedness for this position
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“As Vladimir Putin’s shocking actions in Ukraine have shown us, relying on imports of fossil fuels to provide electricity and heat makes us vulnerable to international price spikes.
We need to act now to make the move away from fossil fuels in the coming years and create a low carbon energy system with the capacity to meet our future energy needs. New nuclear power generation should be part of that system.
Despite the SNP and Green’s short sighted, irrational opposition, a new generation of state-of-the-art nuclear plants would not only bring investment and jobs, but give Scotland a significant and consistent new energy source to support our growing renewables sector.
With both heating and transport set to demand more and more electricity in the decades to come, the Scottish Government should make the sensible, pragmatic choice and back new nuclear power in Scotland.”
