Scot Govt urged to reconsider approach to nuclear
The Scottish Government has been warned that to be serious about achieving net-zero targets in a way that commands public support, Ministers must scrap their opposition to nuclear energy as part of the UK's decarbonised electricity mix.
That is the view of Far North MP Jamie Stone and his colleague David Green, the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, who have written to the Energy Secretary Gillian Martin to urge her to “think again.”
This intervention follows Gillian Martin’s reiteration last week that the Scottish Government will continue to impose an effective ban on new nuclear facilities by blocking projects with devolved planning powers.
The Energy Secretary was responding to confirmation of significant funding announced by the UK Government for nuclear power plants in England. The UK Government plans to roll out a number of “small modular reactors”, which are smaller new nuclear fission reactors, across the UK by the early 2030s.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) - an expert body that advises the United Kingdom and devolved Governments - has said nuclear is essential to the UK's decarbonised electricity mix. In evidence to the UK Parliament in March 2025, the CCC concluded that 38% of electricity in 2050 should come from ‘firm’ sources, of which nuclear is the only proven low‑carbon option at scale.
In their letter to the Scottish Government’s Energy Secretary, Jamie Stone and David Green said residents across the Far North have long expressed their belief that nuclear must be part of Scotland's clean energy and urged the Scottish Government to “listen directly to communities”. According to polling published last month by Opinium, a majority (56%) of Scots surveyed said they supported nuclear power as a means to reaching net zero.
David Green, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Caithness, Sutherland, and Ross, said:
“There can be no shying away from the climate crisis. It is therefore essential that the Scottish Government delivers on our net-zero obligations, but to do that they must take the public with them.
“Context is everything when it comes to public policy. Now, with the UK Government commitment to new investment, there is the potential to create jobs and opportunities that aid a just transition.
“Imagine what it could mean for the Far North where there is a highly skilled workforce, huge potential and a community eager for the opportunity? The debate has moved forward, it now only requires the SNP to catch up or move out of the way.”
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP, Jamie Stone, said:
“In order to support the Scottish energy sector as the UK continues to embrace nuclear power, it is vital that the SNP scrap their opposition to nuclear energy.
“Caithness has long supported the nuclear sector, with Dounreay supporting local jobs and sustainable energy for decades. This support is not just constrained to Caithness. I see support across the Highlands and we should be embracing it.
“The creation of more nuclear reactors means the creation of more high-quality jobs for communities.
“I have great hope that the Scottish Government reconsider the benefits of championing nuclear energy in Scotland - especially in the Far North. We don’t want to be left behind”
ENDS.
Notes to Editors:
Opinion poll on attitudes to nuclear:
Please see the text of the letter to the Scottish Government below:
Ms Gillian Martin MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy
Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Dear Cabinet Secretary,
We are writing on behalf of many residents across Caithness, Sutherland and Ross who are increasingly frustrated by the Scottish Government's continued opposition to new nuclear energy as part of the UK's decarbonised electricity mix.
Many residents we speak to—not only in Caithness, where support for nuclear has been strong for decades, but also across the constituency—have expressed their belief that nuclear must form a key part of Scotland's clean energy future. Indeed, polling published last month by Opinion reported that a majority (56%) of all Scottish adults surveyed said they supported nuclear power as a means to reaching net zero.
A balanced energy mix, including nuclear power, is needed. In evidence to the UK Parliament in March 2025, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) stated, "nuclear is essential to the UK's decarbonised electricity mix." The CCC has also concluded that 38% of electricity in 2050 should come from ‘firm’ sources, of which nuclear is the only proven low‑carbon option at scale.
Context is everything when it comes to public policy. With the UK Government announcing significant backing for new nuclear, there now exists real potential to create many more jobs as part of our net-zero ambitions. While UK Ministers must be held accountable, it looks likely that people in Scotland will miss out on job opportunities due to the Scottish Government’s de facto 'ban' on new nuclear. If Ministers are serious about achieving net-zero targets in a way that commands public support, we urge you to think again.
We also urge you to engage directly with our communities, where there is growing support for nuclear power as a complement to renewables. To that end, this coming Saturday, Councillor Helen Crawford is convening a Highland-wide convention of community councils to discuss energy generation in the Highlands and concerns about local consent, where we do not doubt that a range of issues, including the clean energy case for nuclear, will be made. We strongly recommend that you or your officials engage with this and other forums to ensure the government is listening directly to communities.