The Scottish Renewable Energy Industry should not be penalised for where it is located - Thurso

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Sep 2004

Liberal Democrat Scottish Spokesman, John Thurso MP, today pushed the Government on the potentially devastating charges facing Scotland's renewable energy industry. Speaking at Scottish Questions, he asked:

"I am sure the Secretary of State is aware of the recommendation made by the National Grid of the transmission charge of £22 per kw for electricity generators in my constituency. Scottish Renewables estimate that this will produce a burden of an extra £75 million for Scottish electricity generators in comparison to similar producers in the England. What will the Government do to ensure that this burden does not fall on the nascent renewable energy industry in Scotland?"

Speaking after the debate John Thurso said:

"It is more than a little ironic that while the Government argue that we need urgent action to develop renewable energy, that Scotland's burgeoning renewable energy industry is facing such punitive charges. The Government should be providing proper leadership on this issue to ensure that the renewable energy industry in Scotland is not penalised because of where it is located."