Scottish independence: UK ‘may snub Scots energy’

UK energy secretary Ed Davey has warned that if Scotland backs independence next year, the rest of the UK may buy energy from other countries such as Ireland, Denmark, Sweden or Iceland instead of choosing Scotland.

The UK could snub Scots renewables after independence, Ed Davey has warned. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The UK’s Energy Secretary made an impassioned plea to keep the Union together, attacking those who “want to break up my family”.

But he added that rUK would not need Scotland for its energy needs.

He also challenged the Scottish Government’s aim of meeting 100 per cent of Scotland’s energy needs through renewable energy by 2020.

He said that the UK target of 30 per cent is “already quite challenging in itself.”

“We don’t rely on Scotland to meet our renewable energy targets,” he added.

Mr Davey warned that if Scotland becomes a foreign country it “will have to compete with other foreign countries” in providing renewable electricity.

A spokesman for Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “These claims are nonsense, and even Ed Davey doesn’t believe them.

“The simple fact is that the rest of the UK needs Scotland’s vast energy resources – including our huge green energy potential – to keep the lights on, and that will still be the case after independence.”