Labour pledges nuclear energy plants in Scotland – Daily Business

Ed Miliband, the UK Energy Secretary, has said that nuclear plants in Scotland would be on the agenda from the beginning of a Labour administration at Holyrood.

Civil nuclear companies are frustrated that Scotland is “off limits” because of the SNP’s opposition to nuclear energy. 

Companies, including Rolls-Royce, are developing small modular reactors which will be built across England to help meet energy needs.

The Scottish Government said it will refuse planning permission for any new nuclear reactors in Scotland, insisting that the country can rely on renewable energy.

Torness in East Lothian is the last active nuclear energy plant, but it is being decommissioned in 2030.

Mr Miliband said a Labour administration at Holyrood would open the doors to building nuclear plants in Scotland.

“The truth is Scotland has got a proud nuclear history, but it is being held back by the SNP’s anti-growth, anti-jobs ban on new nuclear,” he said.

“We’re determined to deliver that so what I can tell you today is that if Scotland elects a Labour government on May 6, then on day one, on the morning of May 7, he and I will invite the world’s nuclear industry to Scotland to begin talks about investing in Scottish locations.”

He added his government department is already looking into potential locations for these stations.

This comes after a senior UK Government source told Scottish journalists they are considering submitting planning applications for these sites now in anticipation of a Scottish Labour victory at the 2026 Holyrood election.

SNP MSP Paul McLennan said the Energy Secretary’s remarks showed the UK Government’s “contempt” for Scotland by attempting to “bypass” Scottish ministers

Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: “There are thousands of things any incoming Scottish Government should prioritise: tackling poverty and inequality, investing in affordable, warm homes, securing care and support for disabled people. But selling out Scotland’s communities to nuclear giants is certainly not one of them. 

“GB Energy is meant to be investing in Green jobs, not overriding devolution and trying to impose expensive and polluting solutions from London.

“Labour knows that new nuclear power would cost billions of pounds and do nothing to reduce skyrocketing energy bills or to protect our climate.”