Four other sites provided electricity to the National Grid in Scotland, however generation ceased at Hunterson A in 1990 and at Chapelcross in 2004. Between 2004 and 2021, nuclear energy accounted for 25-43% of the annual electricity generation in Scotland.[1] As of 2022, there is only one remaining operating nuclear power station in Scotland (Torness).[2]
The Scottish National Party (SNP) government elected in 2007 had a 'no new nuclear power strategy'. This position is at odds with UK government policy which in January 2008 announced the go-ahead for new nuclear power stations to be built across the United Kingdom. In response, Scotland's then First Minister Alex Salmond commented there was 'no chance' of new nuclear power stations being built in Scotland.[3] The Parliament voted 63–58 to support the policy of opposing new nuclear power stations,[4] taking advantage of a loophole which permits a veto on planning, despite lacking authority over the UK energy policy.[4] Others support nuclear as part of a sustainable, clean energy policy.[5]
New YouGov research for Scottish Renewables shows Scots are twice as likely to favour wind power over nuclear or shale gas. Over six in ten (62%) people in Scotland say they would support large scale wind projects in their local area, more than double the number who said they would be generally for shale gas (24%) and almost twice as much as nuclear (32%). Hydro power is the most popular energy source for large scale projects in Scotland, with an overwhelming majority (80%) being in favour.[7]
— YouGov
By 2020, an IMechE survey found that support for nuclear had increased to 49% in favour.[8]
