THE Tories are backing the wrong energy horse with the “£100 billion boondoggle” that is the new nuclear power station Hinkley Point C, according to one of Scotland’s leading energy experts, writes Greg Russell.
Professor Peter Strachan, of Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University, said the new station would risk increasing fuel poverty and consumer fuel bills.
The £18 billion plant in Somerset – which is expected to create more than 25,000 jobs – is being financed by the French and Chinese governments, but Strachan said it would double the current price for electricity.
“By opting for very expensive new nuclear build at Hinkley Point, and reducing support for renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, the Conservative Government is betting on the wrong energy horse,” he said.
“This move will have the impact of hitting consumer bills and greatly increasing the risk of fuel poverty in Scotland and across the rest of the United Kingdom.
“Fuel poverty is already higher in Scotland than England and the Scottish Government is more than justified in rejecting what will amount to a potentially £100bn boondoggle.
“The Conservative Government should rethink its entire national electricity policy and ensure that more and not less support is given to onshore and offshore wind, and other marine renewables, as well as giving greater priority to energy efficiency measures.
“We must make the current energy transition work – not only to meet our targets on emissions and low carbon generation, but for the national security of our nation.”
Although two foreign governments are financing the Hinkley project, the UK Government claims it will have control over foreign investment in “critical infrastructure”.
Ministers will be able to stop the state-controlled French energy firm EDF from selling off its stake in Hinkley.
However, other critics of the deal have warned of escalating costs and the implications of allowing nuclear power plants to be built in the UK by foreign governments. They also say that it is too expensive, will take too long to build and leaves the UK too reliant on foreign powers for its energy.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here