MORAY WELL PLACED FOR SECOND ENERGY REVOLUTION

Angus Robertson has welcomed the decision by the German Government that it is to take its nuclear power plants offline by 2022. Germany joins Switzerland who last week announced its intention to be nuclear free by 2034.

In the Scottish Parliament election, the SNP made a commitment to generating the equivalent of 100% of Scotland's own electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020 and local MP Mr Robertson believes Moray is very well placed to reap the benefits available from Renewable Energy Development and Production.

With hundreds of offshore wind turbines set to be built in the Moray Firth, there is the prospect of hundreds of jobs in Moray supporting operation and maintenance work, as well as a boost for the many existing companies in Moray that supply key equipment to the offshore sector.

Commenting Angus Robertson MP said:

" The world is waking up to the massive safety risks presented by nuclear energy as Germany becomes the latest European country to announce its intention to go nuclear free. The SNP Scottish Government has already ruled out any new nuclear power stations in Scotland and it is time the UK Government followed Scotland and Germany's lead.

“ Scotland has massive renewable energy potential from a range of sources and much of that potential sits not far off Moray’s coast. The energy companies developing these sites have already made it clear that Moray can reap significant benefits with harbours like Buckie playing a key role.

“ That critical infrastructure, combined with the already significant offshore supply sector businesses operating in Moray making specialist kit meansthere are huge opportunities on the horizon.

" The SNP have already made a commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2020. By achieving this ambitious target, we can secure Scotland's power supply and create 130,000 jobs in the renewable and low carbon sector.

" A reindustrialised Scotland can lead the world's renewables revolution and Moray has the credentials to be a major part of that."