THE UK Government has been accused of trying to wreck Scotland’s offshore renewable industry, as three wind-farm developments have been put on hold.
The sites, which were awarded planning permission more thanover a year ago, have been held up, as developers cannot secure contracts to supply energy to the UK grid.
Officials at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) indicated it could still be another full year till the permits to provide the green energy go up for auction again.
Campaigners and MSP’s have said that the rigid contract structure is another unnecessary roadblock, which has halted the Scottish renewable industry, and endangered the chances of Scotland reaching its renewable energy targets.
A 110-turbine development at Inch Cape, just off Dundee, and another large farm in the Outer Moray Firth have both been hampered by UK energy contract scheme, and the DECC hasve said there will not be another auction till late 2016the end of next year.
Scottish Greens co-convenor Patrick Harvie, said: “The UK Government appears determined to wreck Scotland’s offshore as well as onshore renewables industry. Certainty for investors is essential if we are to capitalise on our clean energy potential.
“I urge the Scottish Government to make strong representations to UK ministers in the interests of Scottish jobs and climate change targets.”
A spokesmanperson for the DECC defended the contract process, saying that the UK has a “world-leading offshore wind industry”.
He added: “Contracts for difference will be awarded through an auction to ensure value for the consumer. The next auction will take place by the end of 2016.”
The SNP government said questioned the claims by the DECC, saying that the current delays in awarding contracts presenteds a serious problem for developers.
An SNP spokesmanperson said: “This is yet another example of the UK stifling progress in the renewables sector and holding Scotland’s economy and ambition back.
“The Scottish gvernment has set world-leading climate change targets and Scotland is leading the world in the renewables sector, but we need to be able to operate without the Tory government putting up unnecessary roadblocks and blocking progress. The situation at the moment is creating real uncertainty and cost for the sector and undermining Scotland’s position as a global leader.”
Dr Richard Dixon, Friends of the Earth Scotland director, also hit out at the UK Government position. He said: “It seems that the UK Government’s lack of enthusiasm for renewables knows no boundsWhile the UK Government continues to dream of nuclear reactors and fracking, Scotland has sensible and ambitious plans for renewables. UK ministers need to acknowledge that Scotland energy plans and renewable resources mean a one-size-fits-all energy policy cannot work across the UK.”
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