Westminster must engage in proper consultation with the Scottish Government when making key decisions on energy policy, Nicola Sturgeon has demanded.
The First Minister described Scotland as an “energy powerhouse” but with “very limited powers” when it comes to energy policy.
She is now calling on the new Conservative Government to provide reassurance that it will not change the subsidy arrangements for onshore wind without first getting the agreement of Holyrood ministers.
Action must also be taken to reform the transmission charging regime, which currently forces power generators in Scotland to pay higher charges to connect to the National Grid compared with those in the south of England, Ms Sturgeon argued.
She also urged the UK Government to consider “all possible options” to prevent the premature closure of the Longannet power station in Fife.
Operator ScottishPower has said that it will “in all likelihood” shut the site by next March, with the firm claiming the current transmission charging regime is a “major barrier” to future investment in Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon urged the UK Government to “take a much more collegiate approach to policy-making on energy and ensure proper consultation with the Scottish Government on major areas of energy policy”.
She said it is “imperative” that Westminster “implements policies that not only help deliver our energy needs but also reduce fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions”.
She added: “Scotland is a resource-rich country and it offers safe and secure supplies of energy and can continue to assist the rest of the UK in meeting its legally-binding renewable energy targets as well as help keep the lights on across these islands.
“Energy security is a crucial matter for everyone and making sure that we have the right kind of energy that not only looks after our needs going forward but also looks after our planet, is a key priority for the Scottish Government.
“We have achieved a great deal in the renewable field, however there is still much to do and Scotland’s natural potential makes it a cost-efficient place to develop renewable resources. We see a benefit to both Scotland and the rest of the UK in enabling this economically efficient development of renewable potential to continue.”