Warning Over Wind Farms Fund Threat

Removing public subsidies for onshore wind farms would undermine the UK's credibility at crucial UN climate talks, according to Scotland's energy minister.

Fergus Ewing has called on UK Energy Secretary Amber Rudd to clarify the Government's plans for reforming the subsidy regime for the sector.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is expected to announce measures to deliver on the Conservatives' manifesto pledge to ''end any new public subsidy'' for onshore wind farms.

Mr Ewing said that such a move would set a terrible example'' as the latest round of UN climate talks continue in Bonn this week.

Negotiations are under way to thrash out a new international climate change agreement to be finalised at the Paris climate conference in December.

Mr Ewing said: As well as being UK Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd is also UK Climate Change Secretary.

It would be very regrettable if her first action in her new role was to slash support for clean green energy from onshore wind.

As well as being entirely the wrong decision from an energy security point of view, it would also undermine the UK's credibility in these vital UN climate talks - where Ms Rudd and her colleagues will be representing the UK.''

He warned Ms Rudd not to rush headlong'' into a decision on onshore wind subsidies, and urged her to listen to the concerns of the Scottish Government, the onshore wind industry and environmental groups.

The Scottish Government remains ambitious for the renewable energy industry and the vital contribution it makes towards tackling climate change,'' he said.

Onshore wind is the cheapest way of producing renewable electricity in the UK and it is important we continue to support this vital industry.

With officials from the UK Government attending the climate change talks this week in Bonn it would set a terrible example and a lack of ambition to the rest of the world if they decided to end onshore subsidies at the same time.''

A DECC spokesman said: We will consult the devolved administrations on the government's commitment to end new public subsidy for onshore wind projects.

We have also been very clear that we support the Climate Change Act and get a good deal in Paris that will be key to tackling the threat that climate change poses.

We need to do that in a way which ensures the lights stay on and drives the economy - bringing investment, jobs, and high-tech innovation into the UK.''