Scottish government urged to see sense on energy
10th February 2009
Trade unions, business leaders and politicians presented the
Scottish government with a number of serious questions concerning
the future of Scotland's energy supply.
At a conference today at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh organised by
Scottish Engineering and Unite, the crucial issues of energy
supply, costs and the skills required in the immediate future
dominated the debate.
Questions from the floor challenged the Scottish government's
ambitions to provide 31 per cent of electricity supply from
renewable sources by 2011. Currently only 17 per cent of
electricity supply comes from renewable sources. Since 2000 there
has only been an annual average growth rate of 1 per cent to total
energy generation from the emerging renewables sector.
Dr Peter Hughes, chief executive of Scottish Engineering said: "
This conference has confirmed the importance of the UK having a
balanced, sustainable, affordable and secure energy supply. It is
time the first minister and his team got their heads out of the
sand with regard to looking at all available sources of
energy."
Unite Scottish secretary, John Quigley, added: "Unite retains a
number of major concerns relating to the ability of the Scottish
government to deliver our future energy needs."
"Scotland needs a balanced energy policy utilising all viable
low carbon sources complemented by a comprehensive transitional
skills strategy to ensure we have the tools and the talent to
deliver our future energy infrastructure."
ENDS
Contact Peter Welsh on 0141 248 7131
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