The SNP has promised to pressure the next Westminster government to unlock the UK’s full potential for clean energy in its 2017 election manifesto. The party’s manifesto, launched today by party leader Nicola Sturgeon in Perth, promises that SNP MPs sent to Westminster will “work to ensure low cost green energy schemes get the long-term certainty need to support further developments and reductions in cost”. This will include pressuring the government to clear barriers to further deployment of onshore wind, as well as adding more support for offshore wind, tidal energy and wave power. It also promises to build a favourable regulatory environment in Scotland for new energy storage schemes and make Scotland a leader in the development of carbon capture and storage technology. On climate change, the manifesto promises the SNP will pressure the UK government to ratchet up its climate target to bring it in line with Scotland, which has promised to cut emissions by 66 per cent by 2032. The UK has promised to cut emissions 57 per cent by the same date. However, alongside support for clean energy the SNP also expresses strong support for bolstering Scotland’s oil and gas sector. In its manifesto it promises to press for more money from Westminster to encourage oil and gas firms to invest more in exploration activities and provide loan guarantees for critical oil and gas infrastructure. It also calls for more support for oil and gas companies diversifying into renewables.
Business Green 30th May 2017 read more »