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He has been responding to calls to lift the nuclear ban as fears grow over hundreds of job losses and skilled workers leaving Scotland for abroad.
The nuclear industry attacked the Prime Minister for being “hopelessly ideological and anti-science” after he said he was “not a fan” of the business and would “never and never” support investment in the plants power.
But trade group the Nuclear Industry Association slammed his comments, telling the Prime Minister he was “hopelessly ideological and anti-science”, that he was “putting his face against reality” and that Scotland’s nuclear power plants had saved more of carbon” by far. “than any other source in the nation’s history”.
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Mr Swinney’s comments were made to MSPs as Scottish GMB made a direct appeal to deputy first minister Kate Forbes after Hunterston B nuclear power worker representative David Ferguson issued a warning to colleagues about nuclear decline and skills loss.
GMB Scotland invited Ms Forbes to meet nuclear representatives at Hunterston B to “better understand the role nuclear can play in achieving net zero goals” and achieve a meaningful just transition.
When asked about his response to the nuclear industry in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Swinney said: “The Scottish Government does not support the building of new nuclear power plants in Scotland. We have vast natural resources and a highly skilled workforce to exploit the many renewable energy opportunities Evidence shows that new nuclear power is more expensive than renewable alternatives.
“Nuclear power also creates radioactive waste, which must be managed safely over many decades to protect the environment, requiring complex and expensive treatment. The Scottish government supports continued growth in technologies renewable energy, storage, hydrogen and carbon capture to drive economic growth, green jobs and provide safe, affordable and clean energy for Scotland.”
But in response, Scottish Conservative MP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, said: “So it’s hopelessly ideological and anti-science.
“Now wind is only available 45% of the time. It requires a back-up supply of gas, compared to nuclear, which is available 90% of the time, and is therefore much more reliable.
“The Prime Minister’s anti-nuclear energy stance has seen gas consumption double since 2015 so I think we have to assume he wants to follow the example of Germany, Austria and Belgium, who have seen emissions carbon rises after decommissioning nuclear plants. know that the GMB Congress last week called on the Scottish Government to lift the ban They have now invited Kate Forbes to meet nuclear workers in Hunterston.
The First Minister responded: “I gave a considered answer to Graham Simpson. I don’t believe it could be described in any way as ideological, because I made the point that evidence shows that new nuclear is more expensive than renewable alternatives.
“We are facing a cost of living and public finance crisis, so any responsible Prime Minister will try to ensure that we use the most financially efficient method of energy production.
“This government, as a result of its clear policy leadership, has successfully decarbonised electricity generation within Scotland. We have developed renewable energy with policy certainty, and I want to give the same policy certainty to storage, to hydrogen to carbon capture technologies to drive economic growth and support green jobs.
“What worries me is that we have great projects in Scotland, for example, in carbon capture and technology.”
And he added: “So I’m afraid to say Graham Simpson doesn’t have a leg to stand on this question. We have a clear strategy on renewable energy. We will pursue that and pursue it sustainably to deliver for the people of Scotland.
Mr Swinney came under fire after he previously stated: “I respect the fact that people have a different opinion to me, but I’m not a fan of the nuclear industry and I don’t support investment in nuclear power plants. I have never done that myself The country should focus on creating clean, green, renewable energy resources.
The NIA had said that Scotland’s nuclear industry had been “the most productive green industry in the nation’s history” and a “vital source of jobs and investment for the communities that need them”.
According to the NIA, Scotland’s nuclear power plants have produced enough electricity since the first was opened in Chapelcross, Dumfries and Galloway in 1959, “enough to save 400 million tonnes of carbon emissions and power in every home in the country since 70 years”.
They say Scotland’s last remaining nuclear power station, Torness, is the largest, cleanest and most reliable single generator in the country.
It estimates that the industry supports 3,700 direct jobs with a total added value of more than £400 million to the Scottish economy.
The NIA says that at more than £100,000 per worker, they are twice as productive as the national average.
And they say the jobs are also concentrated in poorer areas, with 48% of direct jobs in the most deprived 25% of local authorities, and 24.5% in the most deprived 10% in the Scottish Government, while n being managed by a fellow SNP-Green implementation arrangement, has been firm in its opposition to nuclear, believing it is not environmentally sustainable and “not needed” while the climate target of reaching net zero by 2045 continues .
Net zero described a state where greenhouse gas emissions are a result of human activities, and where these are moved in a balanced way over a certain period.
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