Nuclear power in Scotland

Scotland has a long history of nuclear research and electricity generation. Work started on the Dounreay reactor in 1955.

Nuclear power generation in Scotland [1]
Year TWh Share
2004 18.83 37.71%
2005 19.67 39.68%
2006 14.91 28.77%
2007 13.14 27.58%
2008 15.86 31.91%
2009 16.68 32.71%
2010 15.29 30.93%
2011 16.89 33.21%
2012 17.05 33.87%
2013 18.50 34.89%
2014 16.63 33.24%
2015 17.76 34.60%
2016 19.63 42.97%
2017 17.83 36.50%
2018 13.61 27.96%
2019 12.23 24.65%
2020 13.46 25.96%
2021 14.47 30.30%
2022 7.94 15.79%

Four other sites provided electricity to the National Grid in Scotland, however generation ceased at Hunterson A in 1990 and at Chapelcross in 2004. Between 2004 and 2021, nuclear energy accounted for 25-43% of the annual electricity generation in Scotland.[1] As of 2022, there is only one remaining operating nuclear power station in Scotland (Torness).[2]

The Scottish National Party (SNP) government elected in 2007 had a 'no new nuclear power strategy'. This position is at odds with UK government policy which in January 2008 announced the go-ahead for new nuclear power stations to be built across the United Kingdom. In response, Scotland's then First Minister Alex Salmond commented there was 'no chance' of new nuclear power stations being built in Scotland.[3] The Parliament voted 63–58 to support the policy of opposing new nuclear power stations,[4] taking advantage of a loophole which permits a veto on planning, despite lacking authority over the UK energy policy.[4] Others support nuclear as part of a sustainable, clean energy policy.[5]

Nuclear reactors in Scotland

Power station reactors

Research reactors

Nuclear-powered vessels

See also: Royal Navy Submarine Service

HMNB Clyde (Faslane) is the homeport of the nuclear-powered submarines of the Vanguard and Astute classes:

As of 2007 seven nuclear-powered submarines were stored at Rosyth Dockyard after decommissioning and the removal of their fuel :[6]

Public opinion

In 2013, a YouGov energy survey concluded that:

New YouGov research for Scottish Renewables shows Scots are twice as likely to favour wind power over nuclear or shale gas. Over six in ten (62%) people in Scotland say they would support large scale wind projects in their local area, more than double the number who said they would be generally for shale gas (24%) and almost twice as much as nuclear (32%). Hydro power is the most popular energy source for large scale projects in Scotland, with an overwhelming majority (80%) being in favour.[7]

— YouGov

By 2020, an IMechE survey found that support for nuclear had increased to 49% in favour.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Energy Trends: December 2023, special feature article - Electricity generation and supply in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, 2018 to 2022". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  2. ^ Paul Matthews; Iain Scherr (15 May 2019). "Annual Compendium of Scottish Energy Statistics - May 2019 Update" (PDF). Scottish Government. p. 19,73. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. ^ New nuclear power stations get go-ahead
  4. ^ a b "MSPs vote No to new nuclear stations". www.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  5. ^ "Tony Trewavas: Nuclear power opposition based on slogans and fear". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  6. ^ "Parliamentary Business 27 Jan 2007". Hansard. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  7. ^ Cordelia Nelson (March 20, 2013). "Scots support renewable energy". YouGov.
  8. ^ https://www.imeche.org/docs/default-source/1-oscar/reports-policy-statements-and-documents/nuclear-power-report-_2019_01_06_web.pdf?sfvrsn=62da8612_2 [bare URL PDF]