UK Government urged to clarify support for renewables industry
MPs have called on the UK Government to clarify future support for the renewables industry amid concerns current policy is putting growth and investment at risk.
Scotland
Insolvency appointments up by 30%, figures show
The number of failing businesses in Scotland has grown by almost a third this year, according to new insolvency figures.
Think Tank report warns of ‘economic risk’ of independence
Scottish independence has “some logic” from a democratic standpoint but the economic risks could transform the nation into “Greece without the sun”, according to a right-wing think tank.
Brexit may be Scotland’s chance to steal London finance crown
For all the uncertainty Scotland faces with the cloud of Britain’s exit from the European Union, there could yet be a silver lining, according to U.K. lawmaker Mark Garnier.
Mexican ambassador aims to boost Scottish oil and gas links
Mexico’s ambassador to the UK, Diego Gomez Pickering, is visiting Scotland today to discuss business opportunities between the two nations.
Energy Minister to address renewables industry
Scotland's newly appointed Energy Minister is set to renewables industry for the first time since his appointment.
Public views will be considered in fracking decision
The Scottish Government will consider public opinion as well as science when it comes to deciding whether to allow fracking, energy minister Paul Wheelhouse has pledged.
How MSPs voted in narrow Scottish fracking ban
MSPs have voted by 32 to 30, with 61 abstentions, in favour of a Scottish Government motion, amended by Labour and the Greens, calling for an outright ban on fracking and stating it and other forms of unconventional gas extraction are “incompatible” with Scotland’s low-carbon ambitions.
Government remains ‘deeply sceptical’ on fracking, as Tories step up pressure
The Scottish Government has said it remains deeply sceptical about fracking as the Tories called on ministers to ignore the “left wing cabal” which is said to be holding back a £33 billion job-creating industry.
Scottish Parliament to debate fracking
The Scottish Parliament is set to debate a ban on fracking as part of Holyrood land and reform debate later today.
Business confidence falls into negative territory
Scottish businesses have reported a “troubling” dip in confidence in their prospects for the coming year.
Call for outright ban on fracking in Scotland
Labour has renewed calls for an outright ban on fracking in Scotland ahead of a Holyrood debate on the environment.
Updated: Massive new £2.6billion Beatrice windfarm gets go-ahead off Scottish coast
A consortium of developers led by SSE have committed the final investment decision for the 588MW 84-turbine Beatrice offshore wind farm in Scotland.
Wind power leap jolts energy production over April
A jump in wind power led to turbines producing enough electricity to meet the needs of more than three-quarters of Scottish households in April, new figures reveal.
Fracking causes Scottish Lib Dem split
A split within the Liberal Democrats on fracking has been further exposed after former chief whip Mike Rumbles said he was in favour of lifting an SNP moratorium on the practice.
Chinese investors undeterred by criticism of Scottish Government talks
Two Chinese companies which have signed a multibillion-pound investment agreement with the Scottish Government will not be put off by political criticism of the talks, the UK adviser to one of the firms has said.
FM “not aware” of corruption allegations
Nicola Sturgeon has said she was “not aware” of allegations of corruption against the parent company of a Chinese firm she has signed an investment agreement with.
Scottish Government investment agreement firm ‘faces corruption allegations’
One of the companies involved in an investment agreement with the Scottish Government is owned by a firm which was blacklisted by Norway’s oil fund because there was an “unacceptable risk that the company is involved in gross corruption”, it has emerged.
Huge ambition but many challenges face the renewables juggernaut
Doubling the share of renewables in the global energy mix by 2030 is feasible, but only with concerted action to jump-start their use in transport, building and industry. Bioenergy is seen as being a critical component to achieving this objective. And if it is, then the sector could “sustain 24.4million jobs worldwide” just 15 years from now.
Logistics group to pay more than £2m after discovering own corruption
A Scottish logistics group will pay more than £2million in fines after an illegal bribery operations was discovered in its own organisation.
INEOS hopeful fracking will get the green light in Scotland
INEOS said it still expects fracking to be given the go-ahead in Scotland.
Scottish Conservatives call on fracking moratorium lift to boost North Sea business
The Scottish Conservatives have called for a moratorium on fracking to be lifted to help boost work for the North Sea oil and gas industry amid the decline in oil price.
Longannet closure brings an end to coal-fired power production
The last lump of coal is to be burned at Longannet, bringing an end to more than a century of coal-fired power in Scotland.
Oil price drop would have seen ‘fiscal gap’ of £2,000 for every person in Independent Scotland
Scotland would have had to raise taxes or cut spending if it was wrestling with its estimated £10 billion budget deficit as an independent country, an economic think tank has calculated.
Scotland ahead on hydro power
Scotland’s ability to generate electricity from flowing water eclipses other parts of the UK, new research shows.