Wind 'the way forward' says Ross MSP
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THE vast majority of Scots back wind power as part of the energy mix, a Ross-shire MSP said today.
SNP MSP Rob Gibson welcomed a YouGov poll that shows as many as 72 per cent of people polled in Scotland support wind power.
The findings of the poll come in the wake of a bitter attack on the Scottish Government's policy on wind power by American tycoon, Donald Trump.
Scottish Renewables this month took the step of issuing an open letter rebutting "numerous statements" made by Trump, who at one point described Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond as 'Mad Alex'.
The Caithness, Sutherland and Ross representative, who lives in Easter Ross, made his remarks following the poll of 1,014 people, which was carried out for Scottish Renewables.
He says it reinforces a similar one last week that showed 67 per cent of people in the UK support wind power.
Mr Gibson declared energy security a pressing issue for many people and said wind power would play an important part in this.
He said: “The message from the people of Scotland is loud and clear – wind power is key in the future of our energy policy.
“In fact, when you take this poll into account with last week’s Ipsos Mori poll for RenewablesUK, the message from people across the UK is exactly the same – wind power is the way forward.
“It is encouraging to see as many as 72 per cent of people polled in Scotland support wind power development as part of a mix of renewables and conventional forms of electricity.
“Scotland has vast renewables resources – demonstrated by the fact we produce a quarter of Europe’s tidal and offshore wind power and 10 per cent of its wave power.
“We are already seeing the benefit of renewables in Scotland with thousands of jobs being created across the country with many opportunties in the North and West.
“Today’s poll comes on the back of leaked documents showing the UK Government’s nuclear policy is in tatters with plans to subsidise nuclear through electricity bills, despite previous promises this would not happen.
“Nuclear power is simply not the answer to our energy needs. The Tory-LibDem coalition must listen to these polls that clearly show renewable energy is the way forward to provide a clean green future."
"It is important that 21st century Scotland achieves true energy security. It is is a major driver for governments around the world. renewable energy is the way to achieve this with wind an important componet in this. I am happy to see such public backing for Scotland to harvest this natural resource."
