SNP MSP Responds to Offshore Wind Sector Attack

Scottish MEP Struan Stevenson’s recent attack on offshore wind energy sector has been categorised as an attack on jobs and investment by the SNP MSP John Wilson, who is the deputy convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee.

Namely, yesterday at a meeting organised by Communities Against Turbines Scotland (CATS) in Girvan, Ayrshire, Mr Struan said that the offshore wind energy plans are “ill-conceived and financially unsustainable”, the Press & Journal’s ENERGY supplement writes.

He raised his concern that the country could be surrounded by wind turbines and that these turbines would raise carbon output by destroying sea ecosystems.

In a response to these claims SNP MSP John Wilson said:

“This is a disgraceful attack on jobs and investment by the Tories. Scotland has massive renewables potential with about a quarter of Europe’s offshore wind and tidal power and a tenth of its wave power.

“That natural windfall is delivering much needed jobs and investment to communities the length and breadth of Scotland and the UK. Not content with the appalling damage they are doing to the economy, the Tories apparently now want to scrap renewables jobs too.

“This is the fastest growing industry providing a much needed economic boost and jobs to communities. The UK Government’s own figures show that a green energy will help reduce energy bills as opposed to a business as usual approach by the Tories.”

[mappress]
Press Release, August 10, 2012; Image: struanstevenson