Solar Energy Scotland (Report)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 8 June 2022.

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Photo of Clare Adamson Clare Adamson Scottish National Party

3. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Solar Energy Scotland report, “Scotland’s Fair Share: Solar’s role in achieving net-zero in Scotland”. (S6O-01192)

Photo of Michael Matheson Michael Matheson Scottish National Party

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of energy generation from solar photovoltaics in contributing to decarbonisation of Scotland’s energy supply and in helping us meet our targets for a net zero emissions society by 2045.

In support of that, the Scottish Government will this year work closely with Solar Energy Scotland representatives to support the development of a solar vision for Scotland. That work, done in consultation with the solar sector, will establish a vision for the future of solar energy to be included in the forthcoming energy strategy refresh and in the just transition plan.

Photo of Clare Adamson Clare Adamson Scottish National Party

The United Kingdom Government’s energy strategy presents a false choice between nuclear energy proliferation and continued reliance on Russian gas. New nuclear power will take 10 to 15 years to get up and running, at exorbitant costs, but simply cannot address the current energy and cost of living crises. Does the cabinet secretary agree that we should be fully focused on increasing our renewable energy outputs, including solar energy, which can be done in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost?

Photo of Michael Matheson Michael Matheson Scottish National Party

There is absolutely no doubt that anybody who knows the nuclear industry knows that it will not play a part in helping to tackle the current cost of living crisis and the very high costs that are associated with energy production at present. In fact, there is a risk that nuclear electricity production will actually push up domestic energy costs even further.

If we want to reduce energy costs, it is important that we do so in a way that is targeted at helping to reduce people’s energy demand through insulation programmes and the move to decarbonised energy systems, while speeding up decarbonisation of our energy sector overall. That is why moving much further towards renewables, pumped-storage hydro and battery storage are critical to ensuring that we reduce the costs of energy overall and that we do so in a speedy way—a way that nuclear energy would not be able to provide.

I note that Jesse Norman, who is a former energy minister, pointed out just this week that the UK Government’s proposal to build a new nuclear power station year is highly unlikely to happen any time in the next decade.

Photo of Willie Rennie Willie Rennie Liberal Democrat

Will the work that the cabinet secretary talked about doing with the solar sector cover planning and taxation? On planning and taxation grounds, the UK Government has lifted the limit to beyond 50kW for roof solar schemes. Scotland imposes higher taxes and greater planning restrictions. Is not it time to stop putting barriers in the way of businesses that want to do their bit for the climate?

Photo of Michael Matheson Michael Matheson Scottish National Party

I am not entirely sure what Willie Rennie’s point was in relation to tax. If he is referring to VAT, he will be aware that it is reserved to the UK Government.

Planning and how to make greater use of solar power will, of course, be among the issues that we consider as we take forward the work. I am sure that the member will want to be generous in recognising that Scotland has been leading the way in pushing forward with renewable energy. He can be assured that the new energy strategy will reflect that, and that solar will be an important part of it.