During a Ministerial statement on Electricity Market Reform, Scottish Conservative Energy Spokesman, Murdo Fraser, challenged Energy Minister Fergus Ewing on the cost of wind energy in comparison to Nuclear power.
Government figures show that the new Hinkley Point nuclear power station will create electricity at a cost of £92.50 per MWh compared to a cost for onshore wind of £100 per MWh.
The price for offshore wind is even higher at £155 per MWh.
These prices include all subsidies paid and will include the full costs of decommissioning.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament Chamber Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“I have to say that I was rather confused by the minister’s comments on the cost of new nuclear power and the partial picture that he painted. I have with me the draft contract for difference strike prices, which shows that the price per megawatt hour will be £105 to £120 for biomass; £95 for hydro; £125 for large solar photovoltaic; £155 for offshore wind; and £100 for onshore wind.
“As I am sure the minister well knows, the strike price that has been agreed for the new nuclear station at Hinkley Point is £92.50, which is cheaper than the price for wind, solar, hydro, biomass or tidal and, unlike wind, nuclear has no problems with intermittency or unpredictability. The facts might not fit the minister’s narrative, but does he not have a duty to come to the chamber and give us the whole picture, not just the parts that suit him?”