The upcoming rise in energy bills means it is “more important than ever” that Westminster transfers power over the sector to Scotland, MSPs will be told.
Energy minister Stephen Gethins will use a debate at Holyrood to call for powers over energy to be devolved, complaining that current arrangements leave Scots facing some of the highest energy bills in Europe.
That is before industry regulator Ofgem increases the price cap by 13% from July 1 to £1,862 a year for the average household – an increase of £221.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Holyrood debate, Mr Gethins said: “People in Scotland face increasing energy bills and a cost-of-living crisis – in a country that produces far more energy than it consumes.”
He added: “Scotland has the energy but it does not have the power. Empowering this Parliament is part of the solution locally, nationally, internationally but also vitally in people’s homes too.
“I urge members across the chamber to support this motion and stand with the Scottish Government in requesting the transfer of energy powers.”
Greens, however, said the Scottish Government must “get off the fence” on energy policy, urging ministers to focus firmly on renewables and not on North Sea oil and gas.
Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said his party agreed that “decisions over Scotland’s energy future should be in Scotland’s hands”.
But he insisted: “The future of energy generation is in renewables, and that is where the Scottish Government should be urgently prioritising investment.”
Mr Harvie continued: “Energy security means transitioning away from oil and gas as quickly as we can, and investing in renewable energy so we can cut bills for everyone.”
Campaigners at WWF Scotland also made similar pleas, with head of policy and advocacy Claire Daly stating: “It’s time to put to bed once and for all the notion that Scotland still has a lengthy future producing oil and gas from the North Sea.
“Instead, we should be investing in our abundant renewables and future-proofing jobs in the energy sector.”
If these data centres get built it certainly won't be Scotland’s energy, it will be Silicon Valley’s energy, and Scotland risks sky-rocketing energy prices and energy blackouts
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland also called on MSPs to “stand firm against new oil and gas drilling”, arguing that the focus should be on “how Scotland’s abundant renewable energy resources can be harnessed to ensure a brighter, cleaner and more affordable future for all Scots”.
As part of that the campaign group demanded the Scottish Government publish an energy strategy with an “unequivocal stance against any new oil and gas licences in the North Sea”.
That comes after the SNP shifted position on drilling for oil and gas, to state that energy security must be taken into consideration, along with climate compatibility.
Fraser Sutherland, coalition manager of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland also called on the Scottish Government to get a Heat in Buildings Bill “over the line” to encourage the shift away from oil and gas for heating.
He made the call as he said that “thousands are still suffering damp, leaky homes they cannot afford to heat, while household bills continue to rise and climate-polluting fossil fuel giants cash in on leaders’ indecision”.
Campaigners at Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) warned that future energy demands from data centres could pose a threat to energy security.
APRS director Dr Kat Jones said: “If these data centres get built it certainly won’t be Scotland’s energy, it will be Silicon Valley’s energy, and Scotland risks sky-rocketing energy prices and energy blackouts if we continue without a proper policy in place.
“The Scottish Government need to get a grip on the situation and put some proper policy in place around energy use and impacts of hyperscale AI data centres.”