Kenny MacAskill
The ALBA Depute Leader Kenny MacAskill MP has revealed the full extent of the foreign ownership of Scotland’s renewable energy assets by state owned energy companies with countries including China, the United Arab Emirates, France, Sweden, Norway and Ireland all profiting from Scotland’s massive energy resources in the Offshore wind sector.
- The Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm (AOWF) consisting of 58 turbines with a capacity of 96.8 megawatts (MW) is located approximately 2.4km off the coastline of Aberdeenshire at Blackdog, on the North-East coast of Scotland is 100% Swedish owned by Vatenfall AB.
- Hywind Scotland is the world’s first floating offshore windfarm. Located at Peterhead off the coast of Aberdeenshire, the 30 MW farm is a £210 million project. Masdar the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, is a UAE-government owned renewable energy company based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates has 25% stake in the project, along with lead operator Equinor, who own 75%. The Norwegian state is the largest shareholder in Equinor (previously Statoil).
Local councils through the planning process have their part to play in the massively important debate over the future of Scotland’s energy resources. It’s important to monitor and enforce site conditions and worker’s safety – as the people of Aberdeen know only too well.
Recent events have reinforced that message – you can never relax you vigilance on safety.
Scotland should control and benefit from her own renewable resources.
Read more here …