Thousands of Scottish jobs in solar energy could be under threat because the UK Government is slashing renewable subsidies, according to an SNP MP.
Drew Hendry quizzed energy and climate change minister Andrea Leadsom on the potential impact of the cut on employment – but she revealed that no assessment would be carried out until a consultation on the changes closes.
The Westminster government is planning to slash subsidies for green energy to try to lower consumers’ bills.
It is also reviewing the ‘feed-in tariff, which currently supports solar energy.
The north-east has a number of solar energy businesses and farms, including a new 7,000 panel facility at Rothienorman – the country’s largest.
Mr Hendry said: “The UK Government needs to wake up to the potential threat these cuts pose to jobs and should be considering every possible outcome of the subsidy changes during the consultation process, and not after it has closed.”
More than 3,000 people are currently employed in the solar industry in Scotland.
Ms Leadsom said: “Our consultation on the feed-in tariff review reflects the need to balance sector support whilst keeping bills down for consumers.
“We strongly welcome evidence from the sector during this review consultation, which ends on October 23, and only then can we begin to analyse the impact on jobs.”