SNP MSP Emma Roddick raised in Parliament last week the high transmission charges faced by renewable energy developers in Scotland compared to other areas in the UK, where their equivalents are paid to join, questioning the Government on whether this could harm the SNP’s goal of supporting at least three of Scotland’s islands to become fully carbon-neutral by 2040.
She said:
“I completely back the Scottish Government’s aim to put our islands front and centre of our policy to have 100% of our electricity generated by renewable sources by supporting them to become the pioneers.
“However, my region contains the four areas with the highest fuel poverty and energy prices in Scotland. We have to look at the bigger picture, and that includes the fact that we’re paying for the privilege of providing green energy to the rest of the UK.
“Scotland is world-leading in renewables, but the fact that energy policy remains reserved to Westminster ensures this massive inequality stays put. With fuel poverty and energy prices on the rise, it’s indefensibly negligent to continue to charge in this way. Considering the climate emergency, it’s also daft.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, shared Roddick’s concerns in her response.
Emma Roddick MSP 