This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63170734

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nicola Sturgeon issues warning over winter energy usage Nicola Sturgeon issues warning over winter energy usage
(32 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon has said she will not support "haphazard" North Sea oil and gas projectsNicola Sturgeon has said she will not support "haphazard" North Sea oil and gas projects
Nicola Sturgeon says she hopes it is "not necessary" to tell households in Scotland to restrict winter energy use.Nicola Sturgeon says she hopes it is "not necessary" to tell households in Scotland to restrict winter energy use.
But Scotland's first minister warned that people should be "sensible" as she criticised UK government planning.But Scotland's first minister warned that people should be "sensible" as she criticised UK government planning.
It comes after the National Grid advised of potential blackouts for households if gas supplies run short.It comes after the National Grid advised of potential blackouts for households if gas supplies run short.
Ms Sturgeon also told the BBC she would not support "haphazard" new oil and gas projects, after Tory ministers backed further North Sea exploration.Ms Sturgeon also told the BBC she would not support "haphazard" new oil and gas projects, after Tory ministers backed further North Sea exploration.
The National Grid has said UK households could lose power for up to three hours at a time in winter if the energy crisis escalated.The National Grid has said UK households could lose power for up to three hours at a time in winter if the energy crisis escalated.
Latest headlines from ScotlandLatest headlines from Scotland
More stories on Scottish politicsMore stories on Scottish politics
"There is real concern to people about energy supplies over the winter period," Ms Sturgeon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."There is real concern to people about energy supplies over the winter period," Ms Sturgeon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
She said there was a "lack of basic communication from the UK government" over the energy crisis.She said there was a "lack of basic communication from the UK government" over the energy crisis.
Ms Sturgeon added: "That's particularly galling in a Scottish context because we are a net exporter of electricity. We generate sufficient renewable electricity to cover almost 100% of our domestic needs.Ms Sturgeon added: "That's particularly galling in a Scottish context because we are a net exporter of electricity. We generate sufficient renewable electricity to cover almost 100% of our domestic needs.
"We are part of the GB grid so we are reliant on the UK government taking good decisions itself."We are part of the GB grid so we are reliant on the UK government taking good decisions itself.
"I think there needs to be candid explanation to people about the challenges that are faced, good advice to people about sensible things you were asking them to do.""I think there needs to be candid explanation to people about the challenges that are faced, good advice to people about sensible things you were asking them to do."
The UK government is backing further North Sea oil and gas explorationThe UK government is backing further North Sea oil and gas exploration
Asked if she would ask people to limit their energy usage, the first minister said: "I hope that is not necessary," adding that she wanted people to be "sensible about energy usage".Asked if she would ask people to limit their energy usage, the first minister said: "I hope that is not necessary," adding that she wanted people to be "sensible about energy usage".
It comes as the UK opens a new licensing round for companies to explore for oil and gas in the North Sea. Nearly 900 locations are being offered for exploration, with as many as 100 licences set to be awarded. The Scottish government hoped to generate the equivalent of 100% of "gross electricity consumption" from renewables by 2020.
It reached 98.6% that year, but in 2021 the figure fell back to 83.7%.
Ms Sturgeon's comments comes as the UK opens a new licensing round for North Sea oil and gas exploration. Nearly 900 locations are being offered, with as many as 100 licences set to be awarded.
UK business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said it would boost energy security and support skilled jobs.UK business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said it would boost energy security and support skilled jobs.
Ms Sturgeon acknowledged that the industry was a key part of the Scottish economy, particularly in the north east and Aberdeen, where the SNP conference is being staged this weekend. 'Stringent checks'
Ms Sturgeon acknowledged that the industry was a key part of the Scottish economy, particularly in Aberdeen, where the SNP conference is being staged this weekend.
"But we know for the sake of the planet, we need to accelerate our move away from oil and gas," she told BBC Radio 4."But we know for the sake of the planet, we need to accelerate our move away from oil and gas," she told BBC Radio 4.
"We've got to do that fairly. And we've got to do that in a way that supports the jobs to transition into green energy."We've got to do that fairly. And we've got to do that in a way that supports the jobs to transition into green energy.
"I don't support a haphazard, just give the go ahead without stringent climate compatibility checks." "I don't support a haphazard, just give the go-ahead without stringent climate compatibility checks."
Asked if such a project would be approved in an independent Scotland, she added: "Not without stringent climate compatibility checks. Not with Jacob Rees-Mogg just waking up one morning and deciding it's the right thing to do."Asked if such a project would be approved in an independent Scotland, she added: "Not without stringent climate compatibility checks. Not with Jacob Rees-Mogg just waking up one morning and deciding it's the right thing to do."
Licences are being made available for 898 sectors of the North Sea - known as blocks.Licences are being made available for 898 sectors of the North Sea - known as blocks.
In a statement, Mr Rees-Mogg said: "Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine means it is now more important than ever that we make the most of sovereign energy resources."In a statement, Mr Rees-Mogg said: "Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine means it is now more important than ever that we make the most of sovereign energy resources."
The North Sea exploration comes after warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Energy Agency that such projects must be halted if there is to be a chance of keeping global temperature rises under 1.5C. The licensing round comes after warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Energy Agency that such projects must be halted if there is to be a chance of keeping global temperature rises under 1.5C.