Scotland to miss out on nuclear power renaissance

Scotland will miss out on a nuclear power renaissance because of its anti-nuclear stance, French energy experts have warned.

Industry leaders said investment in the construction of nuclear power stations was likely to be focused in England because of opposition by the Scottish government.

Jean-Jacques Gautrot, special adviser to the chief executive of Areva – which is likely to build the majority of the UK’s plants – told the Scotsman there would be none built north of the border.

“I have a map in my presentation on Areva’s plans for the UK – it has a line drawn right across it,” he said.

“North of the border is only wind power and other renewables. What we are doing in the UK is underneath the line.”

Francis Sorin, of French industry body Revue Generale Nucleaire, told the newspaper: “It is a missed opportunity for Scotland.

“Over the next few years, Scotland will not have the skills or the training which other countries will provide as they become involved. EDF and Areva will recruit thousands of staff – some in England.”

A spokesman for finance minister John Swinney said the Scottish government had approved 14 energy programmes and had 40 in the pipeline.

“The UK government is the single biggest obstacle to Scotland fulfilling our clean, green energy potential,” the spokesman said.