Summit Over Wind Farm Subsidy Axe

Holyrood ministers are holding an emergency summit with the green energy sector after the UK Government announced it was to axe a subsidy scheme for onshore wind farms a year early.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and others in the Scottish Government have already spoken out against plans to scrap the renewables obligation (RO) while industry leaders Scottish Renewables have warned the move could put up to £3 billion of investment in Scotland at risk.

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has already pressed UK Energy Secretary Amber Rudd on the issue in talks in London.

Now he has announced he is holding an emergency summit with the green energy sector, so he can hear first hand their concerns, ahead of further talks.

The summit will take place in Glasgow early next month, and will be focused on the impact ending the renewables obligation will have.

Mr Ewing said: There are many communities and companies who have invested significant amounts of money in renewables scheme and have now found the goalposts have been moved, putting crucial investment and jobs at risk.

I am keen to listen to their concerns, understand the impact and continue to work together in making representations to the UK Government.

UK ministers also urgently need to clarify the position regarding onshore wind projects already in the pipeline, and how many of them can expect to continue to receive investment during the grace period before funding is cut off.''

He said the Scottish Government strongly disagrees'' with the UK Government's decision, claiming it wasmade without our consent and will have such a negative impact on a key sector of the Scottish economy''.

Mr Ewing argued: The proposals have a disproportionate impact on Scotland as around 70% of onshore wind projects in the UK planning system are here.'' T

he Energy Minister continued: The most recent energy figures show renewables continue to go from strength to strength, with almost half of Scotland's electricity use coming from renewables last year and wind delivering record amounts of power in the first three months of 2015.

Scotland accounts for around a third of total UK renewables generation. This makes the recent decision by the UK Government to end the RO next year even more regrettable.

The Scottish Government remains committed to the renewable sector and to achieving our target of 100% of our electricity demand through renewables by 2020 and the onshore wind sector is a significant part of that.''

Niall Stuart, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said the UK Government decision has caused a huge amount of disquiet within the industry, and threatens significant levels of investment, employment and renewable power generation''.

He added: This is a key issue for everyone with an interest in renewable energy development in Scotland and the summit will be an important opportunity for our members to put over their questions, comments and concerns to the

Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism as we seek to find a way to ensure the sustainable growth of our onshore wind industry.''