Chamber and committees

As of June 2024, there was 15.6GW of renewable electricity capacity in Scotland. In the past 12 months, renewable electricity capacity has risen, and it is up 5 per cent since June 2023. That is largely due to increases in onshore and offshore wind capacity.

Since 1 January 2021, a total of nine planning appeals for onshore wind farm developments in the Highlands and Islands region have been allowed.

I do not accept the premise of the question, which is that the process ignores people’s views. However, as I have mentioned, the Government is continually seeking to improve the process. That is why we are working with the United Kingdom Government to include things such as pre-consultation for major applications to ensure that those views are taken into account at the earliest possible stage.

The member is well aware that I simply cannot comment on a live application of the kind that he mentions. I reiterate what I said about the fact that, looking into the future, the Scottish Government is happy to work with the UK Government on finding solutions and reform around the planning system. However, as I said, the member knows full well that I cannot comment on a live application.

There are twin aims, and it is vital that people and communities share the wealth of Scotland’s abundant renewable energy resources and net zero transition. Through our good-practice principles for onshore development, the Scottish Government continues to encourage developers to offer community benefits as standard on all renewable energy projects. Community benefits are a well-established and integral part of renewable energy projects in Scotland, with more than £30 million of community benefits being offered to Scottish communities in the past 12 months.

As the member will be aware, decisions on offshore oil and gas licensing and consenting are reserved to the United Kingdom Government. The Scottish Government’s draft energy strategy and just transition plan includes a proposal for consultation of support for a presumption against licensing for exploration to identify entirely new fields. We have never proposed a policy of no new licensing at all. Where fields are already identified but are not yet in production, we consulted on support for those continuing to progress through the licensing and consenting process, subject to a robust climate compatibility checkpoint.

The judgments and issues in the strategy are informed and influenced by recent developments in the UK Government’s energy policy and court decisions. This is a rapidly changing landscape and we are taking time to reflect on those developments and the strategy before drawing any conclusions and publishing any final strategy.

I do not think that anyone could be in any doubt, realistically, about the Scottish Government’s commitment not only to finding a just transition but to supporting the jobs that exist in the sector that the member mentioned.

The member also mentioned Grangemouth. I remind her of her exchange with the First Minister on the subject, in which he reacted to the comments that she made about the situation at Grangemouth, saying:

“I am actively pursuing an option to maintain the refining capacity at Grangemouth. If that needs to be stated again, I will state it again to Parliament”.—[Official Report, 21 November 2024; c 17.]

I am not sure that I can add much more, other than to say that the Government will reflect on the issues before drawing any conclusions and publishing any final strategy.

I regularly engage with my education and skills ministerial colleagues to discuss the importance of the net zero workforce. Scotland is already leading the way in the creation of green jobs. New PwC data shows that the Scottish green jobs market has tripled since 2021. PwC has been clear that Scotland’s strong skills base is a critical factor in attracting green investment and the creation of green jobs.

Institutions such as colleges have a critical role in developing the multiskilled workforce that will drive the just transition to net zero. Last week, my colleague the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy visited the North East Scotland College campus in Fraserburgh to discuss its curriculum and to launch its Ocean Winds pre-apprenticeship scheme, which is an initiative that supports students who are preparing to work in the offshore wind industry.

I will attempt to react to some of that and not to the pun about pump priming.

I have recently visited a number of colleges where it has been very clear that there is a commitment in the further education system to introduce young people to all manner of technologies. The member rightly mentions the importance of having a broad spectrum of technologies available, including technologies for older types of heating systems, heat pumps and, perhaps for the future, other means of electric heating for existing radiator systems in houses.