Labour and Tories pledge new nuclear deployment in Scotland despite local opposition | New Civil Engineer

The two main UK political parties released their manifestos for Scotland this week, outlining priorities for the home nations. Central to this is new nuclear deployment to achieve net zero.

The current Scottish National Party (SNP) led devolved government in Scotland opposes the building of new nuclear stations in the country using current technology due to “poor value for consumers”. The SNP manifesto for the upcoming General Election makes clear that it would “rule out new nuclear plants in Scotland” and will focus on “renewables, storage, hydrogen and carbon capture”.

Meanwhile, the Alba Party, a pro-independence political party in Scotland that was founded in 2021, has also signalled its opposition to new nuclear.

However, both Labour and the Conservatives will seek to deploy new nuclear power in the nation if in power on 5 July.

Labour Scotland’s manifesto states that the party “will end a decade of dithering that has seen the Conservatives duck decision on nuclear power, while the SNP opposes its development in Scotland completely”.

It goes on to say that up to 23% of power used in Scotland comes from nuclear and “will need to remain part of [its] energy mix if we are to achieve energy security and clean power in Scotland”.

Labour makes it explicit that it will extend the lifetime of existing plants – with the only operational one in Scotland being Torness in East Lothian, which is due to be decommissioned in 2028. Extending its life is also supported by the SNP.

Labour is less clear on building new plants in Scotland, with the manifesto stating explicitly that it will build new nuclear power stations in England and also small modular reactors (SMRs), without saying where the SMRs will be deployed.

It then states: “Scottish Labour believes Scotland should not miss out on the economic opportunity that nuclear energy offers.”

Alba Party candidate for East Lothian George Kerevan called on Labour to come clean about its plans for nuclear in Scotland.

“Labour can only be hinting that it will promote building a new generation of nuclear reactors on the Torness site,” Kerevan said. “These plans should be publicised now rather than after the election.”

Labour candidate for East Lothian, Douglas Alexander, has voiced support for nuclear in Scotland and current Labour MSP for East Lothian Martin Whitfield has also recently argued in Holyrood that the SNP-led government should reconsider its opposition to a new nuclear power plant at Torness.

“This can only point to a renewed attempt by an incoming Labour administration at Westminster to site a new nuclear facility at Torness, especially given the planned upgrade to transmission lines to England,” Kerevan said.

Meanwhile, the current Conservative Westminster government made clear in May that it has designs on building new nuclear capacity in Scotland, despite opposition.

The Scottish Conservatives’ manifesto, released this week, continues this promise, stating: “We will continue laying the groundwork for nuclear projects to be taken forward in Scotland to deliver cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy.”

Later in its manifesto, it states: “Where there is local support, we would give planning consent for a new generation of nuclear power stations in Scotland.”

Wales

The current government recently confirmed Wylfa in north Wales as the next site for a full-scale nuclear power plant after Hinkley Point C in Somerset and Sizewell C in Suffolk. This was backed by the sector which said it is the “best site in Europe” for nuclear.

The Conservative Party manifesto maintained this pledge, promising to deliver “the UK’s third mega-nuclear power station at Wylfa and support Wales’ potential to host small modular reactors”.

The Labour Party manifesto did not make reference to Wylfa – something that was picked up on by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) in its reaction. “We hope that Labour will also continue to recognise the huge economic potential arising from deployment of new nuclear capacity at Wylfa,” NIA chief executive Tom Greatrex said.

Labour Wales’ manifesto has rectified this omission, stating: “With two Labour governments, we will continue to explore the opportunities for new nuclear at Wylfa.”

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