(Image: Gordon Terris)
The Scottish Greens have overwhelmingly voted against a motion to drop their long-standing opposition to nuclear power and adopt a “more nuanced” position.
The motion, which was discussed today at this weekend’s party conference in Inverness, calls for a “more nuanced policy on nuclear energy, which will allow us to achieve net zero by using nuclear energy”.
Put to the vote, 48 voted to back the motion, 193 voted against and 19 abstained.
If adopted, the stance would have matched the Green Party of England and Wales, which voted at its autumn conference this month to end its long-standing blanket opposition to nuclear power.
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While the Scottish Greens would continue to reiterate their strong opposition to nuclear weapons regardless, any change around the party’s energy position would have signalled a major policy shift if had been supported.
It would also have had major implications at Holyrood, leaving the SNP as the only party opposed to nuclear power.
The text of the motion states: “We will support the construction of nuclear power stations provided that they are passively safe and do not produce large quantities of nuclear waste.
“We would support an extension of life in Torness if approved by the Office of Nuclear Regulation, provided doing so does not increase risks above current levels.”
New nuclear stations, the motion says, would be built only if the local community where the facility is to be built supports it.
The resolution goes on to say that it supports research and the construction of nuclear waste recycling facilities as well as better management options for nuclear waste.
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer (Image: PA)
The lifespan of Torness, in East Lothian, was previously extended so the plant can continue generating power for an extra two years until 2030.
Ross Greer, the Scottish Greens co-leader, has already indicated his opposition to a change in the party’s stance on nuclear power.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of conference, he said: “I will certainly be voting to maintain our party’s current policy position. Nuclear power is unbelievably expensive, it takes far too long to bring online, and there are serious issues around the security risk caused by the waste from it, in particular.
“Here in Scotland we have won the geographical lottery. We have a huge abundance of renewable energy that we can bring online very quickly, it’s very cheap to generate and it creates a huge number of jobs. There is no need at all for new nuclear in Scotland.”
Speaking after the vote, Scottish Green MSP and energy spokesperson Kristopher Leask welcomed the decision, reiterating the party’s commitment to investing in Scotland’s vast renewable energy potential.
He said: “I am delighted that our members have reaffirmed our opposition to nuclear power and our commitment to a cleaner, greener future for Scotland.
“I welcome the debate, it is important that members can discuss and challenge our policies, but I firmly believe we have reached the right decision.
“Nuclear power is expensive, wasteful and takes years, if not decades, to deliver. We know that it leaves behind dangerous radioactive waste that future generations will be left to manage, while doing nothing to bring down household energy bills in the short term.
“Scotland has enormous potential in wind, wave, tidal and solar energy. We should be investing in those resources, creating thousands of good green jobs and ensuring that communities benefit from the energy generated at their doorsteps. "
He added: "At a time when households are struggling with sky-high energy bills and the climate emergency is becoming ever more urgent, we cannot afford to waste billions of pounds on costly nuclear projects.
“The Scottish Greens will continue to champion a renewable energy future that puts people and planet first, rather than lining the pockets of nuclear energy giants.”
Members voted to end their opposition to nuclear power at the Green Party conference in England and Wales earlier this month, dropping a long-standing commitment to phase out the technology. It commits the party to assessing nuclear projects alongside other low-carbon technologies.
While its electricity generation policy still prioritises offshore wind, onshore wind and solar as the primary sources of electricity, the position allows elected representatives to support new nuclear reactors on a case-by-case basis.
The debate comes after Andrew Bowie, the Conservatives’ shadow energy secretary, announced earlier this month that a Tory government would bring in a law to ensure “no part of Great Britain misses out on plans for new nuclear renewal”.