Once again, he wibbled on about renewables and electricity exports as the next Great Big Thing for the Scottish economy. It's clear from this, and other sources, that he regards the prospect of an "independent" Scotland becoming a "green energy exporter" as something very important, in many ways a replacement for dwindling oil.
What I am going to do is look at the realism of this quite slowly and carefully.
First, let's consider the present and historical position. Here's some official data:
Scotland is already a significant exporter of 'leccy. Over the 10 years to 2009, on average 18% (just under 9 TWh) of electricity generated in Scotland was exported, mostly to England but some to NI. In fact Scotland was also a net exporter over the previous 10 years, ever since electricity privatisation in 1990. (It was not an exporter prior to this. Go on, ask me why.)Now this is clearly good business for the electricity generators in Scotland: Scottish Power (Spanish-owned), British Energy (French-owned), and Scottish & Southern (HQ in Perth, listed in London, most of their business in England & Wales). So it's good for you too if you are an employee and/or shareholder in these concerns. (I need to labour this point because they are a few Nats out there who seem to think that all these power exports happen for free. No idea why.)
Aside from that, what good is it for the rest of us?
I'd like to ask any passing enthusiasts for electricity exports - as Salmond seems to be - the following:
- How do you view the fact that Scotland has been a net exporter of electricity for the last 20 years? Do you see it as some sort of indicator of success?
- What benefit does Scotland in general get from the fact that private companies based here have been exporting electricity?
13 comments:
"In fact Scotland was also a next exporter...."
How can we take you seriously with such basic spelling mistakes. Putting your piss poor education aside let's get on with dealing with the IED that you've set up here.
"How do you view the fact that Scotland has been a net exporter of electricity for the last 20 years?"
What does it matter, it's only a net exporter on paper, the electricity went to England primarily, which is within the UK and so reaped no taxation revenue.
It would simply seem to indicate that the investment in hydro as a base load was timely and demonstrates the potential for other renewables and sustainable power from Scotland's natural resources as nuclear supply dwindles in Scotland.
cont'd
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"Do you see it as some sort of indicator of success?"
It demonstrates that this country has an overcapacity of energy production and that successive Uk Government's have sought to maximize it's potential to supply the rest of the UK.
What it hints at is that Scotland can lead the world in achieving low carbon renewable technologies, which attracts jobs, manufacturers, expertise and potentially revenue from taxation on fuels, as yet, still a reserved matter.
As utility companies come under stricter and stricter legislation to provide % from renewable , sustainable sources, Scotland has capacity to fulfill that demand, thus when exported commercially across borders, Scotland has the potential to create a revenue through taxation.
"What benefit does Scotland in general get from the fact that private companies based here have been exporting electricity?"
Scotland at the moment, only sees jobs, expertise and some manufacturing here.
In the future with increasingly autonomous taxation systems, scotland is set to benefit from a wider basket of potential benefits, principally the ability to tax the export of clean green energy to our dear friends in the south and more importantly to Europe as nations struggle to meet their renewable targets.
Add into that the potential for a better taxation regime and green investment bank here, and the future looks very bright indeed.
Independence however will be the key to unlocking this potential bonanza.
But Scotland has exported money, resources, people and more for decades to prop up a Westminster black hole of defecit so your point being that we should carry on as it suits the unionist agenda.
Oh, and did I mention the GDP growth boost prevalent in electricity exporting countries?
PS That's gross domestic product (GDP) Smee, just incase you were confused with the acronym.
The SSEB was a net exporter of electricity south for a number of years because it invested heavily in over capacity for its own demand and indeed that of Scotland as a whole. The hydro generation from NoSHEB as it was could never have met much more than a half of the demand in the north.
The 5 main power stations in Scotland have a capacity of around 7.8 GW; hydro has around 600 MW and can't be absolutely relied upon for base load since it depends on rainfall; in dry years no production. Just like wind power really.
Doubtless in the long run tidal power has great potential but it is contingent on the prototypes working and being capable of scaling up to realistic capacity; aye and on the posh nimbies accepting that power lines need constructed pending the undersea connector being settled.
"Scotland is already a significant exporter of 'leccy. Over the 10 years to 2009, on average 18% (just under 9 TWh) of electricity generated in Scotland was exported, mostly to England but some to NI. In fact Scotland was also a net exporter over the previous 10 years, ever since electricity privatisation in 1990."
And yet we need a Norwegian pipeline to top up our own gas supplies. Is their a lack of what I believe is called "joined-up thinking" somewhere here?
Unfair transmission charges hampering Scottish renewable sector
Its time this blog was renamed as "Unionist Mythbusting" or does it like clutching at straws.
I agree, this blog is abysmal.
This is a proper blog with substantive points that are properly researched.
http://devolutionmatters.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/the-financial-provisions-of-strengthening-scoltlands-future/
It's an author who rigorously blows apart the unionist mythology.
Not one post in over 5 weeks, keep bust'n those myths rear gunner Smee.
Gosh, SAS hamfisted attempt in Libya, the foreign minister suggsting Gadafi was on a plane enroute to soiuth amercia when he wasn't, Cameron's hamfisted attempt at being maggie (circa 1982) and a beleaguered tory defence minister wondering why he's cutting 1000 RAF personnel whilst his leader pushes for a Libyan air space restrictions.
The Tory's in Government, a truly british farce.
No wonder your not not posting blog entries, the embarrassment must be stifling for you.
Carry on up the Kyber.
Clearly Nuclear is safe.
What a diddy.
Aye, nothing to see here, just a few explosions and now the a very real risk of meltdown.
Do you see why your arrogant and premature rantings get you you into these situations?
Are you thinking again?
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