THE vast majority of Scots believe the Scottish Government should own part of any new renewable energy developments in Scotland, according to a new poll.
A Find Out Now survey of 1774 Scottish adults commissioned by The National revealed that 81% of Scots, when don’t knows are removed, believe the Scottish Government should make the move and take an increased stake in Scotland’s green energy future – while only 19% feel the opposite.
Kate Forbes said in November that Scotland has the potential to become a “global powerhouse of green energy” but instead signalled the importance of the private sector.
She said to achieve that potential it was necessary to make it “as easy as possible” for people to invest in Scotland, and said she wanted investors to know the country is “open for business”.
“Scotland’s potential to become a global powerhouse of clean and renewable energy is without question,” Forbes (below) said.
“To fulfil that potential, we must make it as easy possible for people to invest here.
“My message to new and potential investors is clear: Scotland is open for business.”
The SNP Trade Union Group (SNP TUG), the party’s largest affiliate body, hailed the result, but called for a “major change of direction” by the Scottish Government.
Simon Barrow, national secretary of the SNP TUG, noted that members have previously called for the creation of a state-run energy company at past party conferences.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon also pledged one in 2017 but the plans have since been scrapped.
Barrow said: "As this overwhelming poll result recognises, our economic future as a nation hinges not just upon political independence but upon our economic capacity to harness vast renewable energy resources to secure prosperity, equality and environmental sustainability for the people of Scotland.
“The current trajectory towards selling off these resources must therefore be reversed. SNP conference has twice called for a national asset-based renewable energy company to take the lead in this.”
He added that equity stakeholding in wind power is “also essential”.
Barrow went on: “As is a green industrial strategy that puts public purpose, public stakeholding and public ownership at the centre of a just transition away from fossil fuel dependence.
“That requires a major change of direction by the Scottish Government, along with the adoption of a clear route and jobs map for energy transition. This, again, is something the party called for back in 2021, at the instigation of SNP trade unionists."
