The SNP Scottish Government has been slammed for putting Berwickshire jobs at risk due to their opposition to nuclear power.
Torness nuclear power station, operated by EDF Energy in East Lothian, supports around 730 jobs directly, many of whom live in Berwickshire.
The plant, based just off the A1, generated low carbon electricity for 2.7 million homes in 2020, and is due to close in 2028.
The Scottish Government is opposed to new nuclear power in Scotland and has banned any further plants being built.
This is despite nuclear providing zero carbon generation and better air quality compared to carbon alternatives, and the UK being one of the few global leaders in the industry.
As well as providing high quality local jobs, nuclear power also provides low cost and reliable energy. Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association claims that nuclear power has saved Scottish consumers £152 since the beginning of the energy crisis.
John Lamont MP said:
“Nuclear power will need to be part of our future energy mix. The high quality jobs provided at Torness have supported families up and down the Berwickshire coast for decades.
“It will be devastating to see the opportunity of high quality employment disappear when the plant closes.
“Sadly, the SNP Scottish Government is ideologically opposed to keeping these jobs. This is already backfiring with Rolls Royce ruling out Scotland as a home for their new £200m factory for small reactors.
“This is another case of the SNP wanting to have their cake and eat it. They want to be free of nuclear power, yet we will continue to benefit from nuclear power from across the rest of the UK.
“Nuclear provides reliable and relatively cheap electricity. At a time when we are seeing rising gas prices across the world, we need to ensure we have power generated on our own shores, and are consequently less exposed to the whims of dictators abroad.”
