Fears were expressed for the future of Scotland’s onshore wind energy sector yesterday after claims vital financial aid for the sector could soon be stopped.
Scotland’s Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has written to his UK Government counterpart Amber Rudd urging talks ahead of any such move in line with previous commitments.
“Any lack of clarity has the potential to stall a very substantial pipeline of investment in the UK and Scotland and dent the UK and Scotland’s reputation with developers and investors,” he said.
Niall Stuart, chief executive of industry body Scottish Renewables, said: “Moving the goal posts now and ending the Renewables Obligation early would be bad for jobs, bad for investment, and slow progress towards our climate change targets.
“A sudden change to the rules would also damage investor confidence in the UK’s wider energy sector.”
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said removing subsidies for onshore wind would be a retrograde step.
“Polls consistently show onshore wind to be one of the most popular forms of electricity, generating thousands of jobs across Scotland and helping to cut our carbon emissions.
“We urge the UK Government to think again.”
A Department of Energy and Climate Change spokesman said: “We’ve made it clear that we plan to consult the devolved administrations as we implement the manifesto commitment to end new public subsidy for onshore wind projects.”