by Rona Mackay
The German Government has announced that it is to take its nuclear power plants offline by 2022, joining Switzerland who last week announced its intention to be nuclear free by 2034.
At the Scottish Parliament election, the SNP made a commitment to generating the equivalent of 100% of Scotland’s own electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020.
SNP Energy Spokesperson Mike Weir MP said: “The world is waking up to the massive safety risks presented by nuclear energy as Germany becomes the latest European country to announce its intention to go nuclear free.
“The SNP Scottish Government has already ruled out any new nuclear power stations in Scotland and it is time the UK Government followed Scotland and Germany’s lead.
“Scotland is well placed to lead this global renewable energy revolution with our huge natural advantage. Scotland has the capacity to generate a quarter of Europe’s offshore wind and tidal power and a tenth of the Continent’s wave energy. Realising that potential will be a priority for the SNP Scottish Government.
“We have already made a commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2020. By achieving this ambitious target, we can secure Scotland’s power supply and create 130,000 jobs in the renewable and low carbon sector. A reindustrialised Scotland can lead the world’s renewables revolution.”
