Callum McCaig accuses Amber Rudd of “taking the hatchet” to the Scottish renewables industry

SNP MP Callum McCaig has accused former Secretary of State for Energy Amber Rudd of “taking the hatchet” to the Scottish renewable energy industry.

The SNP energy spokesperson said the renewables sector had been “sacrificed on the Tory alter of austerity”, as the SNP conference in Glasgow passed a resolution calling on the Scottish Government to develop an independent energy network.

McCaig argued Scotland must achieve energy independence from Westminster in order to create an energy system which worked in the interests of Scotland and its environment, claiming it would work “for our country, not for others”.

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He also criticised the UK Government’s role in the closure of Longannet power station, which he said was driven by the plant facing higher transmission charges than those based south of the border.

McCaig said: “For the last year I have had the dubious pleasure of shadowing Amber Rudd and Andrea Leadsom as they took the hatchet to Scotland’s renewable energy.

“Onshore wind, solar, biomass – all cut. Industries which had the potential to flourish and bring down costs substantially while cutting carbon emissions were sacrificed on the Tory alter of austerity, at the same time as we are putting billions and billion pounds – at a much, much higher rate – into nuclear power.”

The party has repeatedly criticised UK energy policy, with SNP MSP John Mason accusing the UK government of a “relentless and sustained assault” on the renewable energy industry back in July.

McCaig’s resolution, which was passed, called on the Scottish Government to “develop plans for an independent, balanced network to ensure Scotland’s energy needs are met, climate change targets are reached and economic potential realised”.