Orkney energy bills can be slashed by a third under plans revealed by the SNP to ensure Scotland’s natural energy resources make Scots energy-rich in an independent Scotland.
Orkney SNP candidate Robert Leslie welcomed the energy plans, unveiled on Monday morning by First Minister John Swinney, with an introduction from Shetland SNP candidate Hannah Mary Goodlad, who highlighted how fuel poverty doesn’t exist in the Faroes, where energy is a public asset.
Mr Leslie said he also wanted to explore the potential for more control of energy in an Orkney context, following up ideas put forward at the Orkney International Science Festival.
Robert Leslie said: “We in Orkney and Shetland know well what an energy injustice we suffer while energy remains in Westminster’s hands. As Hannah Mary spelt out, following her recent trip to Faroes, that island population of 50,000 has more autonomy than Scotland, and islanders proudly state that, ‘Energy is ours’, with the publicly-owned energy company making it their business to keep prices down.
“Fuel poverty doesn’t exist in Faroes. Imagine that for Orkney. With independence, Scotland’s households energy bills can be cut by over a third, but that should just be the start.”
Mr Leslie welcomed John Swinney’s message that no more should Scotland’s energy and energy wealth flow south.
“While Norway used its oil revenues to create the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, investing in public services, renewables and future generations, Westminster squandered Scotland’s share, leaving communities without the long-term benefits that energy wealth should have brought.
“Now history risks repeating itself. Scotland stands at the heart of a new energy revolution, this time in renewables. We generate more clean electricity than we consume yet pay some of the highest energy bills in Europe. The lesson is clear. When decisions are made in Westminster, Scotland’s resources work for others. When decisions are made here in Scotland they can work for us. With independence, we can lower household energy bills by over a third. We can enshrine communities with a right of ownership of up to 20% of onshore wind projects, and we can create energy savings for businesses of at least a third, increasing competitiveness and making Scotland an even more attractive location for investment.”
Mr Leslie said that there was a clear feeling at the recent annual conference of Scotland’s fuel poverty charity, Energy Action Scotland, was that fuel poverty had no place in energy-rich Scotland.
“The theme of the conference was Energy Justice for Households in Scotland. That is exactly what the SNP is seeking to deliver with these energy plans for an independent Scotland. Under Westminster energy rules, a third of Scots struggle to pay their energy bills and energy debt is out of control.
“The plans unveiled by John Swinney today show how we can significantly reduce fuel poverty in Orkney and the rest of Scotland by voting for the SNP and independence next May. There is an urgent need for it, and I hope folk in Orkney can see that this is the only route to secure a fairer energy future.
“In the meantime, I also want to explore the feasibility of more energy control within Orkney. The idea of localising the Orkney energy market by setting up Orkney Energy Inc, which was put forward by Gareth Davies and Neil Kermode of Orkney Renewable Energy Forum at the Orkney Science Festival should be explored with all the relevant organisations. Just as Scotland’s energy should be working for Scotland’s people, the same should be able to happen within Orkney. If affordable warmth is achievable for every household in Faroes, why not Orkney?”
