Business leaders urge Holyrood candidates to back Scottish energy security

Ahead of the May 7 election, dozens of Scotland’s leading business organisations have signed Scottish Renewables’ Energy Pledge.

With the future of energy in the spotlight throughout the election campaign, Scottish Renewables has launched a “Scottish Energy Pledge” highlighting to political parties the need to secure domestic energy production.

Business leaders, trade unions and organisations backing the pledge include former Aberdeen Asset Management chief executive Martin Gilbert, Balmoral Group chairman Sir James Milne, Offshore Energies UK and Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

Backers say the pledge is intended to show candidates the broad support for a serious, future-focused energy policy, rather than further political dividing lines. They are calling on Scotland’s political parties to show their support.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

“Scotland's energy industry represents a defining economic opportunity, with our geographic strengths placing us at the heart of the UK’s future energy mix.

“This pledge reflects the clear ambition of Scotland’s business community to help deliver an affordable, secure and resilient energy system. That will require accelerating the build-out of renewable energy and grid infrastructure, alongside reforms to transmission charges that better support investment in Scotland.

“With the right policy and regulatory support, we can unlock the value of our future pipeline and operational assets for consumers and the wider economy in the years ahead.”

Unveiled ahead of the Scottish Parliament election on May 7, the pledge calls for an approach “rooted in domestic energy, advanced manufacturing and regional regeneration” that “recognises the value of all assets in our energy mix”. Only by doing so, it argues, will the next Scottish Government be able to secure jobs, attract investment and strengthen energy security for the long-term.

David Whitehouse, Chief Executive of Offshore Energies UK, said:

“Scotland and the wider UK need a pragmatic energy strategy that recognises where we are today and where we are heading. That means backing domestic oil and gas production alongside the build-out of renewable energy and the infrastructure needed to support both.

“Energy security, jobs and investment all depend on stable policy and a serious commitment to homegrown supply.

“This pledge reflects the need for a balanced approach that gives industry the confidence to invest and helps ensure the benefits are felt in communities across Scotland.”

Charandeep Singh BEM, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, added: 

“Energy policy is central to the competitiveness of Scotland’s businesses. Firms need confidence that they have the right infrastructure, supply chains and grid capacity in place to support growth.

“This pledge reflects the need for a balanced approach that supports domestic energy production, renewables, and grid investment, while ensuring local economies see the benefit. That balance is critical to securing long-term investment and strengthening Scotland’s energy security.”

Ends

Notes to editors

• Read the Scottish Energy Pledge.