Energy Minister: Scrapping Windfarm Subsidies 'Irrational'

MSPs are calling on the UK Government not to scrap funding for onshore windfarms.

Earlier this week the Tories said they were going ahead with the funding cut, with one MSP saying Scotland should stop 'fixating on windfarms'. The Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing says it would undermine progress on tackling climate change - Holyrood wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050.

He said: "As well as being UK Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd is also UK Climate Change Secretary. It would be very regrettable if her first action in her new role was to slash support for clean green energy from onshore wind. As well as being entirely the wrong decision from an energy security point of view, it would also undermine the UK’s credibility in these vital UN Climate Talks – where Ms Rudd and her colleagues will be representing the UK.

"The Scottish Government remains ambitious for the renewable energy industry and the vital contribution it makes towards tackling climate change. Onshore wind is the cheapest way of producing renewable electricity in the UK and it is important we continue to support this vital industry."