Alasdair Allan MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar has backed the ‘It’s Scotland’s energy’ campaign – the SNPs plan to use Scotland’s energy for the benefit of Scotland’s people with the powers of independence. At present the Scottish Parliament is not allowed by Westminster to make decisions on energy Prices. Independence is needed to change that.
A paper launched by First Minister John Swinney at the start of December outlined how:
- Electricity bills for households in Scotland can be reduced by over one-third with the creation of a distinct Scottish electricity market.
- Communities would be given the right to own a stake of up to 20% in local renewable projects - giving them meaningful returns from energy infrastructure in their own area.
- Scottish businesses will also benefit from lower electricity costs, a policy that has the potential to be transformative for the Scottish economy.
The campaign echoes the famous “It’s Scotland’s Oil” campaign of the 1970’s which laid out a vision for what Scotland could do with its oil wealth in the event of independence - an opportunity which Scotland cannot afford to miss again, local MSP has said.
Commenting, Allan said:
“I am proud to back the 'It’s Scotland’s energy' campaign.
“Scotland has won the energy lottery - not just once with oil, but twice with our massive renewable energy wealth.
“Other countries like Norway have managed their natural resources far better than the UK has on Scotland’s behalf.
“Norway invested its oil wealth in what is now the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, worth around $2 trillion dollars and being used to invest in the transition to renewables.
“But we all know Scotland has not reaped all the benefits of our oil wealth - and we cannot afford to repeat that mistake with renewables.
“Using Scotland’s energy for Scotland’s people can drive down bills for people and businesses and transform our economy.
“But it is only with the full powers of independence that we can make that change - to put Scotland’s energy in Scotland’s hands.”
