'Outstanding' New Figures Show Strength of Scotland's Renewables Industry

SCOTLAND’S PROGRESS MUST NOT BE RISKED BY ‘RECKLESS’ TORY GOVERNMENT
The SNP is today welcoming further ‘outstanding’ figures showing the strength of Scotland’s renewable energy sector – and repeated calls for this progress not to be put at risk by the ‘reckless’ actions of the Tories in government.

Figures published by WWF Scotland for June 2015 show that output from wind energy alone in Scotland increased by 120 per cent based on figures from the previous year – supplying enough energy to meet the electrical needs of 70 per cent of Scottish households and for 33 per cent of Scotland’s entire electricity needs for the month.

SNP MSP Mike Mackenzie has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament condemning the UK Government’s cut to the subsidy for onshore wind energy paid through the Renewables Obligation which has now achieved cross-party support.

Commenting, Mr Mackenzie said:

“These outstanding new figures are a welcome demonstration of the strength of Scotland’s renewables industry, with a 120 per cent boost on the previous year’s figure showing the incredible strides Scotland is making in producing clean, sustainable energy – and showing the vital role green energy can play in meeting our energy needs.

“This is exactly why the UK Government’s decision to cut onshore wind subsidies funded through the Renewables Obligation is so dangerous – which could see a loss of investment of up to £3 billion, put more than 5,000 jobs at risk and put at risk the excellent progress Scotland has made on renewables in recent years.

“Today’s figures show that Scotland has a real opportunity to be a world leader on renewable energy – and this excellent progress must not be put at risk by the reckless approach of a Tory government with scant regard for Scotland’s interests.”

180 Per Cent Increase In Emergency Service Consultants Welcomed

SCOTLAND’S NHS IN GOOD HANDS OVER BUSY FESTIVE PERIOD
The SNP has highlighted the increasing number of emergency healthcare staff numbers as a sign of Scotland’s NHS being in good hands at this critical time of year.

Over the festive period, the Scottish Ambulance Service deals with an extra 6,000 incidents – a 20 per cent surge in emergency calls during peak periods.

The answer to a parliamentary question lodged by Mike MacKenzie MSP has revealed the number of Accident and Emergency Consultants in emergency medicine under the SNP government has increased by 180.3 per cent - or 137 members of staff.

The response from Shona Robison, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, also showed that since the end of 2007 the number of ambulance services technicians is up 15.7 per cent and the number of paramedics is up 11.7 per cent.

Since August, the Scottish Government has invested £28.2 million across Scotland for winter preparations. This includes £10 million invested in the Winter Resilience Fund, £8.2 million from the Unscheduled Care Action Plan fund to improve the way emergency care operates, as well as £10 million to tackle delays in discharging people from hospital.

Commenting, SNP MSP Mike MacKenzie said:

“A steady but significant increase in ambulance service technicians and the number of paramedics is most welcome at any time of the year – particularly during the busy festive period.

“The huge 180 per cent increase in the number of specialist medicine consultants is excellent news and it highlights the commitment this SNP government has to making the NHS in Scotland better.

“Winter is one of the busiest times of the year when it comes to emergency care and it is essential that the NHS has the staffing levels it needs to provide the same high service people expect of it.

“Healthcare staff go to incredible lengths and deserve an enormous amount of gratitude for the work that they do.

“No matter what pressures they face, NHS staffs are always there when we need them most and I know people across Scotland are thankful for that fact.”

Investors Downgrade UK Energy Investment

INVESTMENT CONCERNS COME AS SUPPLY MARGINS TIGHTEN
As UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey arrives in Edinburgh today (Wednesday), the SNP is highlighting a new report which finds that UK energy policy uncertainty has driven the UK to the top of table for political risk on energy.

The Exane BNP Paribas report finds that the political risks associated with UK energy policy have grown considerably in less than a year – with the UK now perceived to be the country with the greatest political risk in the European energy sector.

The report highlights major concerns from investors about UK policy and Labour energy policy – with 68 per cent of respondents believing that Labour’s energy policy would deter energy investment. This would be a major concern given the already tight gap between electricity supply and demand.

Concerns have already been raised about the UK Government’s failure to provide security of energy supply – with a Scottish Government report published this week highlighting the increased potential for energy blackouts and higher consumer bills if the situation is not rectified.

Commenting, SNP MSP Mike Mackenzie said:

“This report is yet another example of how Westminster’s mismanagement of energy policy is driving away investment just when it’s needed most.

“OFGEM has warned that the UK’s energy gap could shrink to as low as two per cent in 2015/16 – leading to a higher risk of energy blackouts and higher bills.

“Under the current government the UK is perceived as the most risky place in Europe to invest in energy. Given the mismanagement of the Electricity Market Reform process, the infighting between the coalition parties on renewables and nuclear, and the Tories wanting to abolish onshore wind this is perhaps no huge surprise.

“With the report saying more than two thirds of respondents believe that Labour’s energy plans would deter investment even further, it’s clear that whoever is in charge in London investors have concerns.

“A Yes vote will allow us to take action to prioritise investment and support for our renewable energy industry – keeping the lights on and keeping bills down.”

Commissioner Speech Underlines What Scotland Brings to EU Table

A major speech by an EU Commissioner has praised the critical role that Scotland plays in Europe’s energy sector, underlining the importance of Scotland to the rest of the EU.

In a speech in Edinburgh, EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger highlighted Scotland’s potential as a renewables “power house of Europe" and pointed out that “few countries elsewhere can even dream" of the progress Scotland is already making in the sector.

The Commissioner also stressed Scotland’s place at the heart of the European energy sector, saying “let us not harbour the idea of Scotland as an outpost, perched on the edge of Europe. When it comes to energy, Scotland and Aberdeen is a major player."

Commissioner Oettinger also highlighted the potential that a European offshore electricity grid offers to Scotland, linking Scotland’s energy with everywhere from Poland to Ireland.

Commenting, SNP MSP Mike MacKenzie who sits on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee said:

“Commissioner Oettinger is right to highlight the enormous potential energy resources that Scotland offers our European neighbours and the importance of getting the right infrastructure in place to take advantage of that.

“With such vast renewable energy potential available in Scotland, there is no doubt about the role Scotland can play as a power house of Europe, boosting our economy and creating jobs by exporting energy to our neighbours.

“There is real respect for the ambitious renewables targets we have set ourselves in Scotland and the substantial progress we have already made towards them.

“His speech underlines just how much Scotland brings to the EU table and why an independent Scotland’s continued membership is not just in our interests, but also in the interest of our European neighbours.

“It has become crystal clear – not least from events in Eastleigh – that the only way Scotland can secure that future role at the heart of Europe is with a Yes vote in next year’s referendum.

“Only the powers of an independent Scotland will allow us to pursue Scotland’s interests in the EU instead of seeing them set by a Westminster Government that is ideologically wedded to turning its back on our European neighbours."

Key quotes from Commissioner Oettinger’s speech include:

“The natural energy base in the UK is extraordinary by European, and even global standards. In the last 50 years, North Sea oil and gas have powered growth in the UK and beyond. In the future, wind, wave, and tidal energy could make Scotland a power house of Europe.

“Scotland's offshore renewables reserves alone have been estimated at over 200 GW. Today, we hardly see the tip of the iceberg: Around 5 GW. In Scotland, more than half of your electricity comes from renewable energy. Few countries elsewhere can even dream of this!

“Scottish energy means trade for Scotland. Electricity from here goes via England to the Continent. And with the European North Sea Offshore Wind Grid, Scotland could be linked into a Europe-wide network from Poland to Ireland.

“This has implications for Scotland's role in Europe. In fact, between now and 2020, the UK, and therefore of course Scotland, are dominant in assessments of Europe's offshore and marine energy potential."