WE’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD A GREEN ENERGY FUTURE.

WE’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD A GREEN ENERGY FUTURE.

RENEWABLES POTENTIAL WILL BOOST JOBS

SNP Conference today welcomed the progress made by the SNP Government toward building a green energy future and increasing the number of green energy jobs in Scotland as the party supported the Scottish Government’s work with European partners on a North Sea Grid.

The energy debate followed First Minister Alex Salmond’s announcement that there are now 100 entries from over 20 countries for the Scottish Government’s £10 million Saltire Prize.

Conference also welcomed the €150 million investment in a North Sea Grid as part of the European Union’s economic recovery package.

Addressing conference SNP MSP and European Campaign Manager Joe FitzPatrick said;

“Scotland has what it takes to lead the way in clean, green energy.

“A renewables revolution supports not just our energy needs, but will provide thousands of green jobs across Scotland.

“The immense interest in the Saltire Prize - to develop and test commercial wave power technology of Scotland’s coasts is a sure sign of our role at the forefront of European and world renewable developments.

“With the right skills, education and investment we can fulfil our potential to be the Saudi Arabia of off shore renewable energy.

“An off-shore grid is an essential part of that package and the Scottish Government’s success in persuading Europe of the value of such a scheme and in joining EU partners to work toward delivering that grid so we can tap our offshore resources to use domestically and to sell internationally is a major achievement.

“Labour’s nuclear rhetoric will not benefit Scotland’s future. Our success in promoting new technology, supporting new ideas and building the infrastructure we need to capitalise on our immense renewable assets is what Scotland needs for a bright future.

“We’ve got what it takes to succeed in Europe and to win a green energy future for Scotland.”

1. Scotland has 25% of offshore wind and tidal resources and 10% of all Europe’s wave energy resource.

2. The Scottish Government’s £10 million Saltire Prize for innovation in marine renewable technology was launched in 2008 and has attracted 100 proposals.

3. The EU Economic Recovery Plan includes investment of €150 million in a North Sea Offshore Grid & a €40 million investment in an offshore windfarm by Aberdeen; http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/142

4. Conference resolution below;

16. NORTH SEA OFF-SHORE GRID

Conference notes that Scottish waters possess 25% of Europe’s offshore renewable energy resources including significant potential for marine renewable energy.

Conference welcomes the success of the Scottish Government’s £10 million Saltire Prize for the development of commercial marine renewable technology tested in Scottish waters and the opening of the Scottish European Green Energy Centre in Aberdeen in 2009.

In particular, Conference congratulates the SNP Government on securing a key role for Scotland in the development of the North Sea Offshore Grid to support offshore renewable energy – a European infrastructure priority; recognises the significant energy related and economic potential for a North Sea grid to deliver sustainable economic growth for Scotland and supports the Scottish Government in working with our European partners to put Scotland at the forefront of the marine renewable revolution.

JOE FITZPATRICK MSP
NIGEL DON MSP