Dozens of Scotland’s leading business organisations have urged Holyrood candidates to rise above election dividing lines on energy policy ahead of next week’s vote.
With the future of renewables, grid and oil and gas in the spotlight throughout the election campaign, Scottish Renewables has launched a “Scottish Energy Pledge” highlighting to political parties the need to secure domestic energy production.
Business leaders, trade unions and organisations backing the pledge include former Aberdeen Asset Management chief executive Martin Gilbert, Balmoral Group chairman Sir James Milne, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Offshore Energies UK and Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
Backers say the pledge is intended to show candidates the broad support for a serious, future-focused energy policy, rather than further political dividing lines. They are calling on Scotland’s political parties to show their support.
Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “Scotland's energy industry represents a defining economic opportunity, with our geographic strengths placing us at the heart of the UK’s future energy mix.
“This pledge reflects the clear ambition of Scotland’s business community to help deliver an affordable, secure and resilient energy system. That will require accelerating the build-out of renewable energy and grid infrastructure, alongside reforms to transmission charges that better support investment in Scotland.
“With the right policy and regulatory support, we can unlock the value of our future pipeline and operational assets for consumers and the wider economy in the years ahead.”
Unveiled ahead of the May 7 Scottish Parliament election, the pledge calls for an approach “rooted in domestic energy, advanced manufacturing and regional regeneration” that “recognises the value of all assets in our energy mix”, including renewables, oil and gas and grid infrastructure.
Only by doing so, it argues, will the next Scottish Government be able to secure jobs, attract investment and strengthen energy security for the long-term.