Nuclear energy can help keep the lights on and should be supported by SNP ministers, according to an economic think tank.
The pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade highlighted the benefits of nuclear power stations and warned Scotland risks being left behind the rest of the UK in the industry’s jobs boom.
It follows the Labour Government’s confirmation that it will assess the feasibility of sites including Torness in East Lothian and Hunterston B in Ayrshire, and then take forward plans if the party ousts the SNP in next year’s Holyrood elections.
But the SNP doubled down on its opposition of the proposals yesterday and accused Labour of a ‘nuclear obsession’.
Sam Richards, chief executive of Britain Remade, said: ‘If Scotland is serious about cutting bills, creating the high-skilled jobs, and reducing emissions then new nuclear power needs to be part of Scotland’s energy future as it is in England.
‘Nuclear isn’t a competitor to renewables, it’s the perfect partner. Scotland’s world-class wind industry can be backed up by reliable, zero-carbon nuclear power, ensuring the lights stay on when the wind isn’t blowing. That’s how we deliver true energy security.
‘Scots get this, that’s why the majority think nuclear power should be part of Scotland’s clean energy mix. Even the SNP’s own voters at the last Holyrood election backed nuclear.
‘The reality is simple: without new nuclear, Scotland risks being left behind while the rest of the UK reaps the benefits.’
Labour has confirmed it will assess the feasibility of sites including Torness in East Lothian
Earlier this week, Net Zero and Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband said he has ordered an assessment of Scotland’s capability for new nuclear power stations, including at Torness and Hunterston B.
He also said that if Labour entered power in Scotland next year it would invite the world’s nuclear industry to Scotland to begin talks about investment at specific locations.
Although nuclear energy is reserved to Westminster, the SNP has control of planning laws and has ruled out allowing nuclear energy developments north of the border.
Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: ‘Scotland should absolutely be building new nuclear capacity, starting at Torness and Hunterston.
‘It would bring thousands of skilled jobs and billions of pounds of investment, as well as clean, reliable power for generations to come.
‘It would be a huge missed opportunity if Scotland chose not to be part of that future.’
The SNP highlighted that the discovery of nuclear waste dating back decades at the decommissioned Dounreay site in the Highlands.
SNP MSP Bill Kidd said: ‘This discovery at Dounreay is a stark reminder of the inevitable risks that come with nuclear energy – and the folly of Labour’s nuclear obsession.
‘Decades later, Scotland is still cleaning up highly radioactive, “significant” nuclear waste, while Westminster agitates to push new nuclear power plants on Scotland.
‘With costs at Sizewell C spiralling out of control and Scotland’s renewable energy output stronger than ever, it simply makes no sense to double down on outdated and dangerous technology like nuclear energy.
‘New nuclear would put bills up, take years to build and would leave us dealing with dangerous nuclear waste for decades to come. Scotland doesn’t want or need new nuclear – and the SNP will stand against any Labour attempts to impose it on us.’
Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman accused Labour of ‘selling out Scotland’s communities to nuclear giants’ and claimed it is a ‘dangerous, costly and wasteful distraction from doing the real work that is needed to build a renewables-powered future’.
