Scot Gov sticks to opposing nuclear power despite job loss concerns

SCOTS ministers are standing firm over what has been described as “ideological opposition” to nuclear energy despite being warned that it risks the potential creation of thousands of new Scots jobs.

They say that nuclear power is “unnecessary in Scotland” as renewables such as wind energy are already providing what they see as “a pathway to net zero”, reinforcing what is an effective ban on the building of new power stations.

More than 20 countries from four continents launched the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy at COP28 in December, underscoring what they consider is its key role in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The UK Government is exploring plans to build a new large-scale nuclear plant, despite concerns about delays to existing projects.

But the Scottish Government is steadfast in its opposition to nuclear, believing it is not environmentally sustainable and “isn’t required”.

It comes as GMB Scotland warned that its opposition to nuclear must end or risk stalling Scotland’s drive to net zero and the potential to create thousands of new jobs.

The Scottish Government’s climate change advisers, in a damning analysis, said Scotland’s 2030 goal for cutting its carbon emissions is no longer credible and that it was repeatedly failing to live up to its legally-binding targets.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) said that by almost every measure, the country was off track to meet its goal of cutting its carbon emissions by three-quarters by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.

GMB Scotland, representing members across oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, has written to Scottish ministers asking for a review of its opposition to nuclear. It says new nuclear means that thousands of wellpaid jobs that come with energy source and the skills will be based here in Scotland, therefore bolstering the tax base to pay for our NHS, social care and other public services.

But in response, ministers have said they do not support the building of nuclear power stations.

Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater of the Scottish Green Party said: “Small modular reactors (SMRS) use the same method of electricity generation as traditional nuclear fission. This means the same environmental concerns as traditional nuclear power plants.

“SMRS still create radioactive waste requiring complex and expensive management. And they are unnecessary in Scotland, given that proven renewables and storage technologies already provide a pathway to net zero for Scotland.”

The union said that a letter has been sent to the Energy Minister off the back of the “dismal” CCC analysis, “saying the ideological opposition to nuclear energy has to end if there is any chance of hitting emission targets”.

Claire Greer, the union’s organiser for energy, has written to Mairi Mcallan, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, calling for Scotland to follow other countries across the globe and use nuclear power to cut emissions.

She said: “The Scottish Government has stated that nuclear energy takes a long time to build. However, so too do wind farms. The pursuit of net zero is a long process that will span decades and generations.”