Stevenson Calls for Common Cause on Islands Renewables

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP, Stewart Stevenson, has called on cross party support for remote onshore island wind projects.

Mr Stevenson spoke during a Ministerial Statement by Cabinet Secretary for Environment & Climate Change, Roseanna Cunningham, on Scotland's contribution to international climate change and the Paris agreement. He asked the Cabinet Secretary if the Scottish Parliament should seek cross party support to put pressure on the UK Government to reconsider their position.

Commenting, former Minister for Environment & Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson MSP said,

"It is incredibly disappointing that the UK Government has backtracked on supporting island renewables. This decision will hit island communities hard and the UK Government gave no indication that they would put off allowing island communities to compete for contracts.

"The decision doesn't make sense. Our island communities have some of the greatest potential for renewable energy generation in all of Europe. This decision delays economic benefits to the islands and it further hinders us in the fight against climate change.

"I find the timing of this announcement incredibly suspect. The Conservative UK Government decided to announce this on one of the busiest news days of the year — when we are receiving results from the US Presidential election. It is vital that we make clear our opposition to this decision and get cross party support for such important climate change infrastructure. If we are going to make our contribution to climate change and the Paris agreement, we need to act now and act quickly."