A paper produced as a joint exercise by ‘Options for Scotland’ and the ‘Jimmy Reid Foundation’ has questioned the feasibility of the current renewable energy subsidy regime in an independent Scotland.
The paper co-authored by Jim and Margaret Cuthbert, stated that “Given the subsidy commitments to renewable energy, and the question of whether these will be affordable in the long term, an independent Scottish Government might well wish to commission a thorough going review of the viability of the present subsidy schemes.”
The paper also criticised the effects of the current subsidy burden on the average bill payer, “landowners are benefiting from a huge unearned economic rent, while at the same time electricity customers are paying for this in terms of higher energy costs.”
Conservative Spokesperson for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Here we have a paper endorsed by former SNP party Chairman, Gordon Wilson, calling for a review into the viability of present Scottish Government renewable energy policies.
“We have known for some time that current renewable energy subsidies are dependent on the levy taken from consumers across the UK and without this combined income current renewable subsidies in Scotland would be unaffordable.
“I don’t often find myself in agreement with either ‘Options for Scotland’ or the ‘Jimmy Reid Foundation’ but in this case they are correct, ordinary Scots are suffering under higher energy costs and an ever increasing number are being pushed towards fuel poverty thanks to generous wind farm subsidies.
“We must have a balanced energy portfolio that delivers the best possible value for money, and the SNP should start by listening to the recommendations made by their supporters.”