Scots wind power ‘could keep lights on in England’

Green energy from Scotland may be needed to keep the lights on in England, First Minister Alex Salmond said.

Mr Salmond said in ten years’ time power from offshore windfarms north of the Border will be needed to help England meet its energy requirements.

The First Minister spoke out as it was reported that financial services corporation Citigroup was warning its clients about the dangers of investing in Scottish renewable energy projects. The advice declares that there is likely to be “huge uncertainty” surrounding the country’s future ahead of the referendum promised by the SNP Government.

It also warns that an independent Scotland would be “far too small” to support what it estimates is the £4 billion a year annual subsidy that renewable energy production north of the Border will soon require. It urges investors to “exercise extreme caution” in ploughing in more cash to back the country’s drive to expand renewables.

Mr Salmond accused the analyst who wrote the research of having a “brainstorm”, and insisted that the referendum plans had not stopped energy firms continuing to plough funds into Scotland since the SNP’s victory in May.

Scotland’s leading business lobby, CBI Scotland, last night said the Citigroup warning “echoed the point” it made two months ago, when it warned that there could be a hiatus of investment prior to the referendum being held.