1. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the announcement by EDF that its ambition is to extend the life of Torness power station. (S6O-02958)

Although the Scottish Government does not support the building of new nuclear fission power stations in Scotland under current technologies, we are supportive of extending the operating lifespan of Torness if strict environmental and safety criteria continue to be met.

Torness has contributed significant value to Scotland’s economy over several decades, and the facility plays an important role for the East Lothian community. Extending its power generation will provide supply as the capacity of renewable alternatives is increased.

New data shows that nuclear accounted for 16 per cent of Scotland’s electrical output in 2022. Over its lifespan, Torness power station has produced enough electricity to power every Scottish home for 29 years, but, when it is decommissioned, the Scottish National Party will block any further nuclear development in Scotland. European nations including Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden will all harness nuclear energy as part of their net zero journey. Why not Scotland?

Craig Hoy mentions quite a lot of countries that are continuing to use nuclear technology for fuel, but he does not mention the major economies of Europe such as Germany that are not.

One of the reasons that we are not putting any of our efforts into nuclear is that offshore wind will provide the security of supply that we need. I also mention pumped storage hydro, which the United Kingdom Government has not supported in any significant way. Nuclear has favourable contracts for difference conditions, UK funding and a regulated asset base model that reduces risk for developers, but pumped storage hydro does not have any of that. Nuclear costs £92.50 per megawatt hour, whereas offshore wind is £37.65 per megawatt hour. Nuclear is far too expensive.

The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy will visit Torness in the near future. We recognise that the station has made a significant contribution to Mr Hoy’s region.

I am grateful that the Government is now celebrating the contribution that Torness has made, but I am disappointed that it is not putting efforts into nuclear. How will the Scottish Government ensure that the baseline continues for periods of up to 24 hours when there are no renewables and the water storage has fallen and turned its turbines?

Martin Whitfield has mentioned on many occasions that he is pro-nuclear energy, and he does so again today. The Scottish National Party remains of the position that it is not necessary to invest in nuclear for Scotland when we have an abundance of renewable energy.

I mentioned pumped storage hydro. That sector has not been able to utilise any market mechanisms that the UK Government has put in place for other technologies, such as nuclear. That is a distinct unfairness, given that pumped storage hydro is able to plug gaps in intermittent supply from offshore and onshore wind. The energy that is available from pumped storage hydro is significant.