Motion · S4M-13612 · 23 Jun 2015
Closing the Renewables Obligation
The motion
That the Parliament condemns the UK Government’s decision to bring the renewables obligation for onshore wind power to a close one year earlier than anticipated without consulting either the Scottish Government or the renewables industry in Scotland; considers that this will potentially lead to a loss of investment in onshore wind power of up to £3 billion as well as endangering around 5,400 jobs; believes that the subsidy is vital to achieving Scotland's target of achieving 100% of its electricity generation from renewable sources by 2020 and in meeting its climate change targets through decarbonising the energy supply; understands that it could potentially cost consumers £2-3 billion in more expensive replacement low-carbon power generation; believes that this decision will cause considerable harm to the renewables industry in Scotland, affecting the whole of the supply chain and disproportionately affecting the Highlands and Islands region, which is home to a significant amount of Scotland’s enormous wind resource; considers that onshore wind is paving the way for other renewable technologies, such as wave and tidal generation, and that the uncertainty caused is having a detrimental knock-on effect on these less advanced technologies, and notes calls for the UK Government to implement a flexible grace period covering projects already in the planning system and to recognise the industry’s importance in Scotland and to Scotland’s communities.
Supporters (25)
- Colin Beattie Scottish National Party 23 Jun 2015
- Roderick Campbell 23 Jun 2015
- Graeme Dey 23 Jun 2015
- Nigel Don 23 Jun 2015
- John Finnie 23 Jun 2015
- Kenneth Gibson No Party Affiliation 23 Jun 2015
- Rob Gibson 23 Jun 2015
- Bill Kidd 23 Jun 2015
- Richard Lyle 23 Jun 2015
- Angus MacDonald 23 Jun 2015
- Gordon MacDonald 23 Jun 2015
- John Mason 23 Jun 2015
- Joan McAlpine 23 Jun 2015
- Liam McArthur Scottish Liberal Democrats 23 Jun 2015
- Christina McKelvie 23 Jun 2015
- Stuart McMillan Scottish National Party 23 Jun 2015
- Dennis Robertson 23 Jun 2015
- Kevin Stewart 23 Jun 2015
- David Torrance Scottish National Party 23 Jun 2015
- Adam Ingram 24 Jun 2015
- Gil Paterson 24 Jun 2015
- Stewart Stevenson 25 Jun 2015
- Dave Thompson 25 Jun 2015
- Sandra White 29 Jun 2015
- Clare Adamson Scottish National Party 10 Jul 2015
Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.