Monday December 15th 2025
Colin Beattie MSP
Colin Beattie MSP, Midlothian North & Musselburgh, writes his monthly column for Midlothian View
Scotland’s energy belongs in the hands of the people of Scotland. We are all aware of the ever-rising costs of energy which continues to fuel the cost-of-living crisis, and something must change. We must learn from the mistakes of the past and utilise our vast energy potential. We cannot afford to miss out on the opportunity of cheaper bills and a wave of high skilled well-paid jobs. Change is possible but only with the full powers of an independent country, can we begin to make that change.
When oil was discovered in the North Sea Scotland it should have funded an economic transformation across the country, however, the wealth flowed south to fill the coffers of the UK Treasury. This wealth was used to cut tax for the rich and privatise state-owned industries, instead of benefiting the people of Scotland.
If we compare this to the actions of Norway we find a different story. They invested their newfound wealth into their public services and its people delivering a wealthier nation per capita than the UK. It is rare for a country to hit the natural jackpot once, never mind twice like we have with our vast green energy potential, and we cannot waste this opportunity again.
If this opportunity is realised it will mean low-cost energy for the people of Scotland. We can cut household energy bills down by a third, enshrine communities with the right to own up to 20% of onshore energy projects and reduce energy costs for businesses by a third.
Analysis produced for Ofgem shows that a different policy approach would enable Scotland to have the lowest wholesale electricity prices in western Europe. This would make Scotland one of the most attractive places to live and invest in. But it is only possible with the full powers of independence.
Our energy potential is only one example of why Scotland must be in full control of its future. Policy decisions at Westminster have squandered energy potential before and we can’t allow it to happen again.
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