Nuclear Energy: Scotland

The hon. Member thanked the hon. Lady for listing the failures of the SNP Government and questioned whether steps were taken to provide alternative energy solutions when the decision not to invest in new nuclear was made. Alan Gemmell expressed frustration at the lack of skills, jobs, and investment in his communities due to the SNP's opposition to nuclear energy. He asked the Minister to comment on the SNP's anti-scientific and irrational stance.

Brian Leishman expressed his opposition to nuclear energy, stating it is not a green energy source due to its radioactive waste and high carbon emissions. He mentioned the escalating construction costs of nuclear power plants, such as Hinkley Point C, which have increased from £18 billion to £32 billion. Leishman also highlighted the long construction period, typically taking nearly two decades, and the lack of technological advancements in nuclear reactors.

David Mundell highlighted the decline in nuclear jobs in Scotland compared to England and Wales, noting Scotland has added 661 jobs since 2014 while England has added more than 47,000. He emphasised the missed opportunities for skilled jobs, apprenticeships and long-term investment in nuclear energy for Scottish communities. He also mentioned Scotland's potential for future nuclear development at sites such as Torness, Hunterston, and Dounreay. David Mundell questioned how the Minister would persuade the SNP to change its position on nuclear energy. He warned that without a shift in the SNP's stance, there would be no investment in nuclear power in Scotland.

The hon. Member agreed with the hon. Lady that the Scottish Parliament should decide but suggested that local planning authorities should have the power to decide on nuclear projects in their communities. Douglas Lumsden emphasized the need for nuclear energy in Scotland, citing the intermittency issues with renewables and the economic benefits of new nuclear power stations. He highlighted the opposition from the SNP, which he argued was holding back Scotland's energy transition and economic growth. He also mentioned the Scottish public's support for nuclear energy, with 60% in favour of building new nuclear power stations. Lumsden stressed that Scotland's grid is among the most expensive and vulnerable in the UK, partly due to the SNP's stance on nuclear.

Elaine Stewart highlights the need for nuclear power to complement Scotland's renewable energy resources, arguing that inaction on nuclear energy has left Scotland exposed to volatile gas markets and job losses, with over 5,000 nuclear jobs missed out on.

The hon. Member questioned the high costs of nuclear projects, such as Sizewell C at around £40 billion and a nuclear waste facility estimated up to £60 billion. He suggested that these costs are unacceptable and proposed investing in cheaper, cleaner energy technologies like deep geothermal and tidal stream energy. Graham Leadbitter argues that building new nuclear power stations will add to energy bills, citing the potential cost of £70 billion for a nuclear waste facility. He questions how this expense will be paid and how it will affect consumers' bills. Graham Leadbitter suggested alternatives to nuclear energy, such as deep geothermal, which can generate huge amounts of heat and steam for electricity generation at a fraction of the cost and time compared to nuclear energy, leaving no waste legacy. Graham Leadbitter inquired about the logistics of transporting energy generated from nuclear power stations across the country. Graham Leadbitter argued that focusing solely on nuclear energy is a narrow approach, and suggested that Scotland could benefit from exploring other forms of energy such as geothermal and tidal energy.

Irene Campbell highlighted the economic benefits of nuclear power plants in her constituency, noting that Hunterston A and B provided well-paid jobs and contributed to the local economy. She expressed concern over Scotland's loss of nuclear industry jobs and talent to other parts of the UK, urging the Scottish Government to reconsider its 'no nuclear' policy and explore the potential of small modular reactors.

Jamie Stone emphasised the importance of small modular reactors (SMRs) for cost-effective and safe decarbonisation. He highlighted the historical significance of Dounreay in reversing highland depopulation and its potential to support a skilled workforce and local economy. He criticised the Scottish Government for not embracing new nuclear concepts despite Plaid Cymru's support for SMRs in Wales.

The hon. Member commended the potential for new nuclear development, which could generate over 1,000 jobs and has the backing of workers and trade unions. He highlighted the opportunity for Scotland and Northern Ireland to attract more jobs and investment.

Scotland has a rich heritage in nuclear energy, with Hunterston B generating enough electricity to power almost 2 million homes a year and avoiding over 100 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Lillian Jones emphasises the need for a balanced energy policy that includes both nuclear and renewables to ensure energy security and job creation.

Stewart Malcolm McDonald agrees that nuclear power offers a future for skilled workers but emphasizes the importance of considering other energy sources in the baseload. He mentions that the strike price of wind has been lower than nuclear and highlights the economic benefits of a geographically predictable source of energy for the grid.