Exclusive:SNP opposition to new nuclear 'actively costing Scotland millions in investment'

Gregor Poynton has written to Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes asking the Scottish Government to change its position and to stop "Scotland being left behind by outdated SNP dogma".

The Scottish Government has dismissed all proposals for new nuclear energy in Scotland, despite the UK Government saying it could have small modular reactors at former nuclear sites Hunterston and Torness.

Mr Poynton said: “Opposition to small modular reactors has become an ideological blind spot for the SNP, and it is now actively costing Scotland jobs and private investment.

“While the UK Labour Government is moving at pace to secure clean energy, skilled work and inward investment, Scotland is being left behind by outdated SNP dogma.

“We should be leading the UK's clean energy transition, not shutting the door on technologies that can deliver secure power and thousands of high-quality jobs.”

Mr Poynton said in his letter: “I am writing to express my concern regarding the Scottish Government’s continued opposition to small modular reactors (SMRs). This stance is not only ideologically driven but is actively costing Scotland millions in investment and thousands of high-quality jobs at a time when our economy desperately needs growth and resilience.

“The Scottish Government’s refusal to embrace SMRs stands in stark contrast to the UK Labour Government’s forward-looking energy policy, which is delivering jobs and investment across the country. Regional investment summits have already secured almost 1,000 new jobs for communities and attracted significant private sector investment. Scotland should be leading in this clean energy revolution, not lagging behind because of outdated dogma.

“The economic case for SMRs is clear. Industry leaders have highlighted the significant benefits nuclear energy can bring to our economy and energy security. Yet while other nations and regions seize these opportunities, Scotland risks being left behind. This is not just about energy policy – it is about jobs, skills, and the future prosperity of our communities.”

It comes as the SNP said Anas Sarwar’s support for nuclear energy “is toxic to Scotland’s energy future.”

Nationalist MP Graham Leadbitter said in a letter to the Scottish Labour leader that nuclear energy is “colossal financial risk and undermines our renewables future”.

Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP Mr Leadbitter said in his letter: “These toxic white elephants are irrelevant to Scotland where we produce far more electricity than we can hope to use and where our future is in renewables, closer ties with Europe and harnessing the existing offshore industry to deliver energy security - it certainly is not in over budget, wasteful English nuclear energy projects.

“Your support for these projects in Scotland would see us exposed to colossal financial risk and undermine our renewables future while there are serious questions as to why you support the “Nuclear Tax” currently being imposed on Scottish bill payers.

“In Scotland, we have an opportunity to build a world class renewables industry supported by a baseload that comes from pumped-hydro storage, tidal and power stations equipped with carbon capture technology.

“That opportunity is being lost by your Labour Government and your support for nuclear power plants is toxic to Scotland’s energy future.

“All our efforts must be in securing proper funding for renewables, not diverting endless buckets of cash to wasteful nuclear energy projects south of the border.

“It is time you stood by Scottish industry, Scottish bill payers and Scotland’s economic future and ditched this nuclear obsession that is hammering Scottish households and undermining our energy sector.”

Labour energy minister Michael Shanks told The Scotsman in September there was “enormous potential” at sites like Torness and Hunterston - but stressed they could not be considered for now because of the Scottish Government’s opposition to nuclear.

Torness in East Lothian is Scotland’s last remaining active nuclear power plant. The facility is scheduled to close by 2030.

Hunterston A in North Ayrshire shut down in 1990, while Hunterston B shut down in 2022.

The Scottish Government has an effective ban on new nuclear power plants. It says it is focusing on renewable energy instead.

Energy policy is largely set at Westminster, but the Scottish Government can block projects due to planning power being devolved.

Industry figures said earlier this year that Scotland risks missing out on thousands of well-paid jobs due to the SNP’s opposition to nuclear.

The Nuclear Industry Association said Scotland had the lowest growth in jobs in the sector compared to other regions in the UK over the last year.

Scotland’s workforce only grew by five per cent to 5,413, whereas the number of jobs in England went up by 13 per cent to 11,000.

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “The Scottish Government is focussed on supporting growth and creating jobs by capitalising on Scotland's immense renewable energy capacity rather than expensive new nuclear energy which takes decades to build and creates a legacy of radioactive waste

“Significant growth in renewables is providing key opportunities for our future energy workforce in Scotland with independent scenarios from Ernst and Young (EY) showing that with the right support, Scotland's low carbon and renewable energy sector could support nearly 80,000 jobs by 2050.”