Scotland’s energy resources should be publicly-owned in the event of a Yes vote in next year’s referendum, a new report says.
The Jimmy Reid Foundation paper argues Scotland under either independence or devo-max should follow the example of countries such as Denmark and Germany by favouring greater state intervention in the sector.
The panel of academic authors calls for a new public body to be set up to oversee the sector if more powers are transferred to Holyrood.
The Scottish Energy Agency would be responsible for meeting climate change targets and reducing North Sea oil and gas production to develop “a more integrated and responsible approach to carbon emissions”, the report says.
A nationalised Scottish Electricity Generation Corporation would take over the grid and electricity distribution, running down existing coal, nuclear and gas power stations in favour of investment in renewables.
The report was backed by the Scottish Greens at their party conference in Inverness yesterday.
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood’s economy and energy committee, said: “By taking responsibility Scotland could prioritise common ownership, create high quality jobs and move away from the fossil fuels we simply cannot afford to burn.”
