SNP independence claims on energy in “stark contrast” to actions of Ministers

Climate campaigners have reacted to SNP energy policy paper published today along with the First Minister’s comments about the windfall tax. 

Energy companies have generated over £125 billion in profits on their UK operations since the energy crisis started as Russia invaded Ukraine. 

The Scottish Government has not made a decision on the 2022 application by SSE to build a new gas burning power station alongside the existing plant in Peterhead.  

Friends of the Earth Scotland oil and gas campaigns manager Rosie Hampton commented,  

“The SNP are right to highlight how politicians should be doing far more to bring down the costs of energy for households but this should be happening with or without Scottish independence.”

“This desire to cut bills stands in contrast to the actions of Scottish Government Ministers who are still considering approving a new gas burning power station at Peterhead. This project would lock Scottish homes into paying electricity prices driven by international gas markets for decades to come.”  

“It is deeply worrying to see the First Minister pleading poverty on behalf of oil companies by demanding the end of the windfall tax. This tax on energy giants’ excessive profits supports public services yet he is calling for more of it to go to wealthy shareholders instead.  

“The success of the Norwegian model is largely based on state ownership but the SNP were happy to sell off ScotWind leases for a pittance and have presided over an approach to energy dictated by lobbyists and favouring big business above everyone else.”