SNP’s own experts urge nuclear rethink
ALEX Salmond yesterday came under pressure to ditch his opposition to nuclear energy after the SNP Government’s own financial experts urged a rethink.
The First Minister’s Council of Economic Advisers is said to be split on the country’s energy strategy.
Some believe nuclear power must be considered as part of a mix of energy sources.
Their stance goes against the SNP’s strong opposition to nuclear power and its determination to forge a major increase in renewable energy, including wind, hydro and particularly wave power.
Up to 10 nuclear stations could be built in the UK by 2020 as Westminster has decided nuclear power has to be part of the overall energy supply. But if the SNP has its way, the existing plants at Torness, East Lothian, and Hunterston, Ayrshire, will see out their natural life and then be dismantled.
Nuclear power would help in the Government’s bid to cut carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
But Mr Salmond says this can, and must, be achieved through an expansion of renewables.
He says Scotland is placed uniquely to rely on “green” energy sources, but excluding nuclear power. The Scottish Tories’ deputy leader Murdo Fraser said last night: “Alex Salmond’s own Council of Economic Advisers has twice warned that Scotland needs to consider all types of energy and has called for an independent report. We back that call.
“Alex Salmond must stop acting like a wise monkey, deaf to advice given.”
Labour energy spokesman Lewis Macdonald said: “It would be a huge mistake to rule out future consideration of nuclear energy.”
A report by the council says a study found cutting greenhouse gases through nuclear energy would be cheaper than extending wind power – but the cheapest way was by conserving energy in buildings and cutting vehicle emissions.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Scotland’s renewables sector hasn’t been in better shape. We don’t need dangerous and unnecessary new nuclear power stations.”
