Claims by a Scots politician that windfarm subsidies are plunging Scots into fuel poverty have been described as “scaremongering” by a Fife MSP.
In a Scottish Government debate on fuel poverty, Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser attacked the SNP for its staunch backing of onshore wind projects.
Opponents of the Government policy have claimed the generous grants awarded to windfarm developers have pushed electricity costs through the roof, leaving Scotland with some of the highest energy bills in Europe.
The subsidies were introduced across the UK last year and are expected to have cost up to £1 billion. They offer a huge benefit to the energy companies as they push ahead with wind power projects but their cost is added to household bills.
The subsidies are said to be rising faster than inflation. Almost 30% of Scottish residents are being left in fuel poverty and Energy Action Scotland claims the figure could be as high as 40%.
Kirkcaldy SNP MSP David Torrance said: “Murdo Fraser should really know the facts about wind subsidies and retract his ridiculous statement that they are plunging Scots into fuel poverty.
“His scaremongering does not match that of the Committee on Climate Change where it concluded that household energy bills will be about £600 higher per year by the end of the decade if it relies on gas whilst they would only be around £100 higher if the UK concentrated on renewable power generation.
“The IPPR report also showed between 2004 to 2010 renewables add £30 to household bills while wholesale gas adds £290 to household bills.
“With the removal of funding for carbon capture at Longannet power station by Westminster, how long can it continue operating? Murdo Fraser should tell the public where their energy will come from if they pursue their policies and how much will it really cost households across Scotland and push them into fuel poverty.”