Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has criticised the UK Government's decision to end the Renewables Obligation early, describing it as 'anti-business'.

The Minister made his comments during an energy summit in Glasgow yesterday 9 July.

Over 200 representatives from across the sector attended the meeting.

The event was an opportunity for the Scottish Government to meet and listen to the industry about the impact of the UK Government decision that will affect many businesses across Scotland.

Following the summit, Mr Ewing said: "This decision by the UK Government can only be described as anti-business. The impacts could spread right across Scotland and the wider supply chain, including ports and harbours, transmission and distribution, consultancy, communities and the civil engineering sector.

"All of this is will come at great personal and economic cost to our businesses and people. I’ve heard from many successful businesses who are at the forefront of renewables technology who are now being forced to look at making redundancies as a result of these changes.

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"I also heard from investors both in Scotland and abroad who are wanting to invest in this industry but these are currently being stalled because of the uncertainty this is causing.

"Delegates this morning spoke about the damage this will cause the rural economy – many of the shops and business that are vital to these communities."

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has informed the industry there will be 'grace periods' for the sector, potentially meaning wind farm projects that have invested significant sums may still be able to go ahead.

The Energy Minister added: "Over the next few weeks DECC will be seeking the views of those affected and I strongly encourage anyone with an interest to respond on this to ensure our concerns are heard.

"We will continue to make representations to both the UK Government’s Energy Department and to the Scotland Office, feeding back from what I heard at the summit and the many meetings I have had with representatives from the industry."

Industry figures have stated the closure could cost around £3 billion of investment in Scotland.

Jenny Hogan, Director of Policy at Scottish Renewables, said: "The industry is urging the UK Government not to abandon the onshore wind sector in Scotland by pulling the rug from under it a year earlier than planned.

"Ending the Renewables Obligation one year early could have a devastating impact on onshore wind developers and supply chain across the country with around £3 billion of investment in Scotland being put at risk. We need UK ministers to urgently reconsider their position.

"The impact of this decision will be felt more harshly in Scotland because the biggest proportion of projects being developed in the UK are here."

(LM/MH)