ScottishPower Chief Executive, Nick Horler, commenting on the Government’s Low Carbon Transition Plan said today:

“We welcome today’s package of announcements from the Government. The energy sector needs certainty and clarity if it is to work successfully with the Government to decarbonise electricity generation in the UK.

“We are pleased with the renewed statement of intent to legislate on CCS funding in the autumn and look forward to engaging with the Government as the Energy Bill proceeds through Parliament.

“ScottishPower Renewables is the biggest developer of wind energy in the UK and we welcome the announcement that DECC will exercise its powers to improve the electricity grid access regime so that plants can be built where the best wind resource is. We will work proactively with the Department over the coming 12 months to help deliver a result which is both fast and certain for new generators and fair for existing ones.

“At the heart of this remains the urgent need to invest and develop our grid networks to enable the development of low carbon generation and protect the security of supply. It is essential that energy networks are permitted a rate of return by OFGEM that allows this development.

“Today the Government also acknowledged that the investment required to deliver a decarbonised electricity system will have cost implications for customers, and we welcome the transparency that this brings to the debate.

“We will study the detail of the Government’s proposals to ensure that they deliver the objective of secure, clean energy. It will be important that any new restrictions on generators do not weaken the case for investment.”

Media information: Simon McMillan 0141 566 4875 / 07753 622 257