Balanced energy policy needed

The STUC again threw its weight behind a balanced energy strategy, based on a diversity of fuel sources from renewables to nuclear power, to ensure a secure and affordable supply of energy which contributes to a reduction in emissions.

UNISON's Dave Watson told delegates that, as well as developing the potential of renewable energy, we need to ensure that we have ‘real juice’ running into the network in Scotland. He called for a coherent debate in government and deplored the lack of planning “with governments and the regulator in thrall to market solutions - The market fails consumers and in particular the fuel poor”, said Dave.

“Let’s remember that the overwhelming majority of generation keeping the lights on in Scotland today comes from power stations that were built by the industry when it was in public ownership.

“There is a lesson to be learned there - unlike the banks, perhaps we shouldn't wait until the lights go out before we recognise that market madness is no way to run anything and certainly not a vital public service like energy”, said Dave. ..More on STUC pages

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