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Thomson Calls for Reform of "Shocking" Electricity Grid Charges
Gordon MP Richard Thomson has said “enough is enough” when it comes to the “rip-off” grid charges faced by Scottish electricity generators and demanded the Westminster government reform the system or devolve energy powers to Scotland.
The call comes as energy bills were set to increase again on 1 January.
Energy companies based in Scotland pay the highest charges in Europe to access the national grid, with the charges being passed onto consumers who are already facing extortionate costs for gas and electricity as a result of the energy crisis.
The unfair grid charges are also holding back the development of renewable energy, which is cheaper and climate friendly.
Charges to access the grid in Scotland are as high as £7.36 per mWh. In stark contrast, it only costs on average 49p per mWh in England and Wales, and in some European countries, such as the Netherlands, Poland and Germany, companies pay nothing to access the grid.
On top of this, the top 3 constituencies facing the highest increases to energy bills in the UK are in Scotland.
Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said:
“It’s outrageous that the North-east has been disproportionately penalised when it comes to grid charges for years and years. It’s time to say enough is enough and tell Westminster it cannot continue to ignore us on this issue.
“Not only are the rip-off charges being passed down to consumers in the middle of Westminster’s cost-of-living crisis, they are a disincentive for companies to invest in renewable energies in Scotland.
“The Conservatives must make reforming the unfair system a priority in 2024, to ensure households and businesses in the North-east get a fair deal. If it will not, then it must devolve energy powers to Holyrood so Scotland can take the necessary steps.
“This is another case of Scotland having to wait for a Westminster Government we didn’t vote for to act - and for years now it has refused to do so, putting Scotland at a competitive disadvantage and jeopardising our net zero plans.
"Scotland has the energy, we just need the power."
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