The UK government risks becoming a “barrier” to fighting climate change by excluding onshore wind from price support, according to Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse.
Speaking at the Scottish Renewables Onshore Wind conference in Glasgow, Wheelhouse said the lack of support for the technology will impact Scotland’s ability to hit its net zero by 2045 target set last month.
“Our clear message to the UK government is to raise their game. They must not become the barrier to climate change and to Scotland achieving her potential.”
Wheelhouse said Holyrood “continues to press UK ministers for a price stabilisation mechanism” for onshore wind but without success.
“This is not necessarily support in terms of subsidy and I have repeatedly pointed this out to ministers.”
He added that “the lack of support for onshore wind is inexcusable”.
Scottish Renewables chief executive Claire Mack said she remains optimistic that the UK could reintroduce support for onshore wind.
“We know the message is getting through to government but their bandwidth is low at the moment,” she added.