Scottish Renewables has responded to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's energy policy announcements at the Labour Party Conference – including the creation of Great British Grid – highlighting the sector's readiness to invest and deliver jobs.

Angela Hepworth, CEO of Scottish Renewables, said: "The Prime Minister is right to focus on reindustrialisation, lower energy costs and good growth. Scotland's renewable energy industry and supply chain are well placed to deliver on all three, with significant investment already underway in our networks, ports and key technologies.

"We share the ambition to speed up grid connections. Great British Grid must complement the plans of our transmission operators, who are overseeing one of the largest investment programmes in Scottish history. That investment is creating highly skilled jobs and opportunities for local supply chains across Scotland.

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"Any new approach must provide long-term certainty and address the well-understood barriers to delivery, including delays in planning and consenting. Timely grid connections are essential to electrifying the economy, but unpredictable grid charges continue to undermine Scotland's competitiveness.

"We will work constructively with the UK Government and Great British Energy to shape Great British Grid so that it attracts further investment in Scotland's energy transition, helps protect consumers from future price shocks and delivers lasting jobs and industrial value across Scotland."

Further details on Great British Grid are available from the UK Government: www.gov.uk/government/news/great-british-grid-to-speed-up-connections-and-cut-bills