Veto for nuclear power stations

The Scottish Government rejected any new nuclear power stations

Ministers have formally rejected new nuclear power stations saying they were dangerous and unnecessary.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said the billions of pounds earmarked for nuclear power could be used on renewable technologies.

The Scottish Government was responding to the UK Government's consultation on nuclear power.

The Scotland Office previously said nuclear provided a steady and reliable source of low-carbon power.

The Scottish Government said renewable energy generation produced less carbon emissions than nuclear power and that the costs of new nuclear power stations were likely to be significantly higher than UK Government estimates.

Scotland already has the skills and leadership to pursue a clean, low carbon approach Energy Minister Jim Mather

Mr Mather said: "We completely reject the development of dangerous, unnecessary and costly new nuclear power stations in Scotland.

"We already have clean, green and reliable alternatives. Scotland has massive renewables potential, as well as significant opportunities for clean fossil-fuel technologies and carbon storage.

"Harnessing that potential can meet our future energy demands several times over, while tackling climate change.

"Scotland already has the skills and leadership to pursue a clean, low carbon approach. A vibrant and growing energy sector will make a significant contribution to Scotland's prosperity through investment and jobs."

'Rational consideration'

Scotland Office Minister David Cairns said: "The facts on nuclear power are crystal clear: the UK currently gets around 18% of its electricity from nuclear power and this figure is nearer 40% in Scotland from this low-emission and reliable power source.

"The UK Government is currently consulting on the part nuclear power has to play in our future energy mix and will make its decision known in the coming months.

"This is definitively not short-sightedness on the government's part but entirely the opposite.

"It is a rational consideration of all our future energy options - including the significant contribution of renewables - designed to create a balanced and secure energy policy for the future."

Energy policy is reserved to Westminster but Holyrood decides on the siting of individual power stations.