The UK Government are being urged to finally act to end the discrimination against Scottish power generators.

The Energy and Climate Change Committee of the House of Commons this week recommended that the UK Government commissions an independent review of transmission charging methodology.

Energy Minister Jim Mather, who is already leading work to prepare options for change to the current system, has welcomed 'The future of Britain's electricity networks report' and has now written to Secretary of State Ed Miliband to demand that action is taken.

Mr Mather said: "Scotland is united against the transmission charging regime which works against the development of clean, renewable energy in Scotland by forcing generators to pay millions of pounds more to use the grid. That has to end.


"I welcome the Committee's report as an important and comprehensive contribution to the debate on how to deliver the necessary transition to a low carbon and sustainable energy future.

"With our vast natural resources and a level playing field, we can be the clean green energy powerhouse of Europe. Yet the current locational based approach for charging for connection and use of the grid is a significant barrier to encouraging renewable development - at the very time when we need to grow our green energy sector."

Mr Mather said that in January he had productive discussions with Ofgem, National Grid and Scottish energy interests on locational charging and they identified a number of areas for further work, including an alternative transmission charging approach for wind generation and a commitment to consider proposals for further change.

He said: "This influential Committee has now said it shares our concerns and concluded that transmission charges 'should not discriminate against renewable energy wherever it is located in Britain' and recommends that DECC establish an independent review to develop an appropriate charging methodology.

"I wholeheartedly echo that and invite DECC to agree to the independent review recommended by the Committee, in the context of how the UK regulatory framework and locational charging methodology need to change to help deliver a low carbon economy and help Scotland play its part in meeting EU and UK climate change targets."

(GK/BMcC)