Scottish Government urged to publish energy strategy following SNP vote

The Scottish Government has been urged to finalise its energy strategy after a vote at the SNP conference.

Delegates at the annual event in Aberdeen backed a motion brought by energy minister Stephen Gethins, which supported domestic energy production.

The Government’s energy stance has been softening since Nicola Sturgeon’s time in Bute House when the draft energy strategy included a presumption against oil and gas.

A motion passed by SNP members said domestic production was “clearly preferable to importation”, adding that the “SNP should champion policies that safeguard Scottish jobs and skills, reduce reliance on imported fuels and use the economic benefits of Scotland’s remaining oil and gas resources to help fund the transition to a net-zero economy”.

On Monday, shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie urged the Scottish Government to finalise its stance on oil and gas almost four years after the draft energy strategy was released.

“Even John Swinney’s colleagues and party supporters have made it clear,” he said.

“They are sick of the SNP’s long-held presumption against supporting new oil and gas projects.”

“Swinney has nowhere left to hide. He must finally confirm this policy has been ditched and that he backs new drilling in the North Sea.

“It was astonishing that oil and gas wasn’t even mentioned in his speech to conference, the day after his own energy minister had led this motion backing the use of domestic resources over imports. He’s clearly still wanting to pander to the extremist Greens.

“This policy, which was initiated by Nicola Sturgeon, has been nothing short of shameful. It has cost thousands of workers their jobs and been devastating for the North East’s economy.

“People living and working in the North East have seen right through John Swinney’s spin and him being two-faced on his support for the sector. That’s why they elected a new Scottish Conservative MP in Aberdeen South and sent the SNP packing.

“Swinney now must stop sitting on the fence and tell Scotland’s oil and gas workers that this policy has been ditched at long last.”

In a statement, Mr Gethins said: “Our position is clear – the UK Government must make decisions on North Sea oil and gas projects on a case-by-case basis, with climate compatibility and energy security as key considerations.

“And it is absolutely critical that if any new production goes ahead, then the economic benefits should be felt in Scotland, rather than flowing to the Treasury.

“The UK Government must also replace the energy profits levy with a fair system to protect jobs, energy security and investment in our energy sector.

“The Scottish Government committed in the programme for government to publishing a refreshed energy strategy to provide long-term certainty for industry and communities.”