Question reference: S6W-13969
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 17 January 2023
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 26 January 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out any analysis or assessment on the potential of nuclear energy in Scotland in the last 12 months; what the results of any such analysis were; what conclusions it has made about the impact of nuclear-generated energy for Scotland, and, based on any evidence, what contribution it concluded the impact nuclear-generated energy could have on (a) climate change targets and (b) security of energy supply.
Answer
As set out in our recent draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan the Scottish Government’s position on traditional nuclear energy has not and will not change.
Given our long-standing position on nuclear, any such analysis would not be value for money and has not been pursued. Recent examples of Hinkley Point C and Sizewell clearly demonstrate that nuclear is considerably more expensive than renewables, which is why our position is to focus on renewables, coupled with storage and flexibility options.