Energy

Speech delivered on Wed 30th Sep 2009

Thank you presiding officer. On behalf of liberal democrats I welcome this debate and congratulate committee and the hard working clerks on producing this report. The Committee's vision is that any future energy system should be based around 4 key characteristics - Efficiency Maximisation; Environmental Sustainability; Social Justice; and Maximisation of Wealth and Employment.

The report is an endorsement of what the Liberal Democrats have repeatedly called for within the energy sphere which is no more new nuclear in Scotland; the publication of the government's Energy Efficiency Action Plan; the introduction of a successor to Wave and Tidal Energy Scheme -WATES; an increase in attempts to tackle fuel poverty; the release of Scotland's entitlement to its share of the Fossil Fuel Levy, and a decentralisation of the supply network.

I think at this stage we should recognise that in Scotland 53% of energy use is for the generation of heat, therefore it's wise to remember that investment in insulation and heat loss prevention makes good budgetary sense indeed. Efficiency maximisation is correctly highlighted in the report and the need for a decentralisation of energy production are key. The loss of electricity in power cables the further they travel, due to ohms law, points to local energy production being of a help in the future, not just for efficiency but also for local economies. And a particular hobby horse of mine is Biomass Cogeneration plants which produce heat for local communities and electricity - this should be promoted. The examples in Europe, such as Austria and Scandinavia, are worthwhile to explore, and show that Scotland is playing catch up, not leading the way on Biomass. And of course Biomass is a good use for the vast acres of forestry in Scotland. Thankfully, we still have our most productive forests in our ownership and not been sold off to a bank for land trading purposes.

Biomass and other methods of renewable energy can go a long way to address Scotland's energy efficiency issue. And I note that the committee still awaits the Govt to publish its Energy Efficiency Action Plan and Home insulation scheme, negotiated at last year's budget, but a resounding silence since. Perhaps at the same time as announcing these two awaited plans the Govt will also announce its access to the Fossil Fuel Levy account promised in the first 100 days of govt, boasted so by the FM, but still absent in the third year of Government.

A controversial point for some, but one that I support, is that the report doesn't recommend a new wave of nuclear power stations. I know Conservatives and Labour support them as does the First Minister's own council of economic advisers, leaving the Liberal Democrats the only main party opposed to new nuclear capacity. Besides the obvious danger and sustainability issues associated with nuclear power, I believe that further investment should be made towards renewable energy production so that we can meet the Liberal Democrat target of 100% renewable electricity by 2050. I would however at this stage mention the planning process. There is a real need for clarity of the planning process and a need for full involvement with communities. A balance between community wishes and needs has to be struck so that any renewables project has the aim of public and social goods rather than simply a business opportunity for a few developers. Community involvement at every stage is crucial and that must be borne in mind.

The committee report also strongly advises that a successor to the Wave and Tidal Energy Scheme, which was cancelled under this government, be reinstated. The saltire prize does not go wide enough to make a real difference; we need many projects funded, not just one. The saltire prize, which has been, announced again and again and again, is a one winner takes all prize and won't be won for 6 years from now. The Govt's marine energy group and the institute of mechanical engineers all agree with this, the investment is needed now. Not the grandstanding. An issue I know that my colleague Liam McArthur has approached Mr Swinney on.

Fuel poverty is of real concern to myself and the liberal democrats and I am worried that the report states that the govt is no longer on track to eradicate it by 2016 - this can't be helped by cuts in Energy assistance packages, therefore I look to the minister in summing up to respond to the issues of fuel poverty and how to tackle them effectively.

Presiding Officer, I welcome the report, and congratulate the committee and the clerks for such a comprehensive document. The committee has a duty to hold the Govt to account, and does so by highlighting several issues that the Govt are falling short on.

We are 70% reliant on fossil fuels in Scotland, a finite resource, and one that we have to address now. The report highlights many areas of concern, which I have tried to cover in this debate. In Scotland the Govt needs to do much better, and I hope they will note the report and act on it.

As the committee report hints Govt you Can do better.