Representatives from Scotland’s renewable energy sector are meeting with Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom in Westminster and to put forward their own views on the Energy Bill currently passing through Parliament.
The reception, organised by industry body Scottish Renewables, will be held at the Scotland Office, Dover House, and attended by more than 90 members of Scotland’s renewables industry. Also attending are more than a dozen MPs and Lords from both sides of the Parliament.
Scottish Renewables chief executive Niall Stuart (pictured) will tell the audience that the industry will continue to argue for renewables to be supported in a fair and consistent way – just as other energy technologies, are including nuclear and gas.
“We are seeing member companies freeze investment in new developments, downsize their teams, and even move away from the sector.
“While we knew this term of Parliament would see a continuing transition for our industry, we have been taken aback both by the pace of changes to existing support schemes and their impact.”
He will also call for industry to look to the future.
“We need to look at how we best work with ministers to meet their commitments to reducing carbon emissions, protecting consumers and maximising energy security.
“None of us should be afraid of that debate, because it is increasingly clear that renewables can and should play a key role in all three of these areas.
Any hard-headed, rational and objective assessment of the costs and benefits will tell you that renewables must be part of our future.”
Image: Scottish Renewables
