Clarity is needed on future support for renewables

ENEWABLE energy is central to the Scottish Government’s sense of mission, along with an ambitious desire for Scotland to become an international leader in this field. Therefore, predictions that one in six jobs in the sector could be lost in the next year will cause consternation in the deepest, darkest recesses of Holyrood.

There is an air of “We told you so” about trade group Scottish Renewables’ doom-laden survey of its members. They said this would happen following the UK Government’s changes to key levers of financial support, although it is also fair to say that, at this stage, the scenario remains a firmed-up expectation rather than an inevitable fact.

However, the Conservatives’ perceived hostility to onshore wind in particular has left the industry – and the ruling SNP in Scotland – with a feeling Westminster is out to get them. It is undeniable a reduction in support falls disproportionately on Scotland, which supplies a proportionately impressive amount to the UK’s renewable output.

Given this, and its own stated commitment to meeting carbonreduction targets, the UK Government might be portrayed as staring slack-jawed at a gift horse. However, part of the Conservative case is that offshore wind energy is more efficient than onshore and less environmentally intrusive.

Without reopening the unfortunately toxic debate about onshore’s relative efficacy in contributing to carbon reduction (recycling the alternative facts here could probably power a small town), it must be a concern so many jobs could be at risk across the renewables sector.

“Support systems” will be espied by many as “subsidies”, the poor man’s investment. But investment is necessary for results, and investors will always consider favourably a sector where costs have been falling. The UK Government needs to clarify the future support available to the sector and consider lifting restrictions on long-term contracts for power, if it is to dispel the allegation of a “baffling” hostility to the industry.