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Scottish and UK ministers meet amid wind subsidy row UK minister invited to Scotland amid wind subsidy row
(about 14 hours later)
The Scottish and UK energy ministers are due to meet for the first time following a row over an early end to wind farm subsidies. The UK and Scottish energy ministers will meet in Scotland later this year following a row over the early end to subsidies for new onshore wind farms.
Last week, the UK government announced new onshore wind farms will be excluded from a subsidy scheme from 1 April 2016, a year earlier than expected. Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing invited Amber Rudd to Scotland during a meeting in London.
Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said the decision would disproportionately affect Scotland. The decision to end the subsidies was a Conservative manifesto commitment.
The move was part of a manifesto commitment by the Conservative party. But Mr Ewing said the move would disproportionately affect Scottish business and jobs.
UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd said it will give local communities the final say over any new wind farms. The ministers spoke at a the Global Offshore Wind 2015 conference.
The ministers are due to meet at a renewables conference in London, where both will be speaking. It was the first time the pair had met since the UK government announced new onshore wind farms will be excluded from a subsidy scheme from 1 April 2016, a year earlier than expected.
Grace periods Communities
Mr Ewing is expected to seek clarity about whether wind projects already in development will still receive funding. The UK government argue this would give local communities a greater say on wind farms in their area.
He said Ms Rudd and Scottish Secretary David Mundell had given apparently contradictory statements on which projects would still go ahead. But Mr Ewing has invited Ms Rudd to Scotland to meet with developers and communities in Scotland who have invested money in renewables schemes which could now be in jeopardy.
He said: "The UK Tory government's decision to scrap investment in onshore wind is completely wrong-headed, and makes no economic or environmental sense - but it is absolutely essential that developers know whether projects already in the pipeline are going to receive financial support or not. He said: "Since it was announced I have met with key representatives from the industry to listen to their concerns about the impact on both developers and the supply chain.
"Amber Rudd and David Mundell's different positions show that there is either confusion between UK cabinet members about the UK government position on the crucial issue of grace periods, or there is a welcome change in policy towards that set out by the Scottish government. "I reiterated these points this morning during the meeting and stressed how important it was for the Scottish government to be involved in how any changes to the Renewables Obligation are developed, including maximum flexibility around grace periods for developers that could be affected.
"I hope it is the latter and I will be raising this issue with Amber Rudd at our meeting - investment and jobs hinge on the UK government ensuring continued support to projects already in the pipeline." "This is especially important as the decision will have a disproportionate impact on Scotland as around 70% of onshore wind projects affected by the UK government policy change are located here."
Business cost A spokesman from the Department of Energy and Climate Change said Ms Rudd had already planned to visit Scotland later in the year and this would include a meeting with Mr Ewing.
PMQs
David Cameron went on to defend the decision to end the subsidies early during Prime Minister's Questions.
SNP Trade and Investment spokeswoman Tasmina Ahmed-Sheik had told Mr Cameron it sent out a message to the world that Scotland was "closed for business" when it came to future in investment in renewable energy.
But the Prime Minister said it was a "privilege" to be able keep a Conservative election promise.
Energy firms had been facing an end to subsidies in 2017.Energy firms had been facing an end to subsidies in 2017.
The funding for the subsidy comes from the Renewables Obligation, which is funded by levies added to household fuel bills.The funding for the subsidy comes from the Renewables Obligation, which is funded by levies added to household fuel bills.
While subsidies will end from 1 April 2016, there will be a grace period for projects which already have planning permission.While subsidies will end from 1 April 2016, there will be a grace period for projects which already have planning permission.
About 3,000 wind turbines across the UK are awaiting planning consent.About 3,000 wind turbines across the UK are awaiting planning consent.
Scottish Renewables have said the move was "neither fair nor reasonable" and could cost Scotland up to £3bn in business investment.Scottish Renewables have said the move was "neither fair nor reasonable" and could cost Scotland up to £3bn in business investment.