The Scottish First Minister has admitted: “it’s not fair” that Highlanders are having to pay hundreds of pounds more for their energy than people living elsewhere in the UK.
Rural and island residents have to shell out a crippling energy surcharge which sees them pay an extra 2p per unit on their electricity bills.
And Nicola Sturgeon spoke out on the issue after a tour of the Balmenach Distillery in Grantown yesterday as she launched her rural manifesto.
She told the Press and Journal: “It’s not fair that people in the north pay more for their electricity. One of the commitments we are making is around winter fuel allowance and we want to get people who are “off grid” (households with oil tanks) receiving it earlier in the year.
“We will continue to work hard with energy companies to make sure consumers in rural Scotland get a fair deal.
“These are unfair situations that have to be dealt with, but I don’t have all the power.”
According to analysis by energy regulator Ofgem, consumers across the north of Scotland and on the islands continue to pay an extra £86 for power every year because of a surcharge linked to a regional pricing system.
The Press and Journal launched a campaign in October 2014 calling for an end to the “postcode lottery” distribution system – and has won the backing of energy giant SSE, leading politicians and powerful regulators.
There have been growing calls to abolish the regional transmission system and replace it with a flat, national rate.
Stornoway councillor Angus McCormack, chairman of Western Isles Poverty Action Group, has been campaigning for reform.
Last night he said: “It’s good to hear that Ms Sturgeon is unhappy with the 2p-per-unit surcharge.
“But I am not aware of anything at all to assist in the removal of the surcharge, and I would very much like to see more on the part of the Scottish Government to put pressure on SSE and raise the matter with national government and Ofgem.
“It’s very important for people in the north that this matter is dealt with hurriedly. I would very much like to see something happen before next winter because fuel poverty is not decreasing here, unfortunately.”
During yesterday’s visit, Ms Sturgeon sampled some of the distillery’s own Caorunn gin and tonic, after creating her own blend of juniper with coriander, orange peel, corianand angelica.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Sampling the gin was perhaps the best bit. The tour was great and I love coming up to the Highlands. I was in Fort William yesterday as well, and apart from the weather it’s been great.”
In the afternoon she visited a community outreach initiative in Milnafua Hall, Alness, which is jointly run by Rosskeen Free Church. It is thought to have been the first time a serving First Minister has visited a Free Church of Scotland project.
