One of Scotland’s biggest energy companies has said that holding off the independence referendum until late 2014 is creating increased investment risks.
Scottish and Southern Energy, which has 10million customers, said uncertainty about potential changes to regulation made decision-making “more difficult”.
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said the Perth-based firm’s submission to the Scottish Government’s referendum consultation added “considerable weight” to the case for holding the referendum sooner rather than later.
The UK Government wants to hold the contest in September next year.
There is a single energy market across the UK.
SSE’s submission stated: “The referendum increases the risk of regulatory change and legislative change with regard to the electricity and gas industry in Scotland because it means additional uncertainty about the future.
“This additional risk will apply up to the date of the referendum and, should the result be a vote in favour of a change in Scotland’s status, will continue until there is a binding agreement on all of the issues that could affect the electricity and gas industry in Scotland.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government energy minister Fergus Ewing said the SNP is committed to maintaining a single energy market once Scotland is independent.
Mr Ewing, a Highland MSP, claimed the market across Great Britain would become better suited to Scottish circumstances with a stronger voice for Scotland in the regulatory arrangements.
He said: “Previous investment plans by Scottish and Southern Energy have been adversely affected by damaging UK policy and regulation – including the abandonment of the Peterhead carbon capture project in 2007 due to penal transmission charges for generators in Scotland.”
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