Scotland can play key energy role, EU boss told

Rory Watson, Brussels

Alex Salmond used a visit to Brussels to emphasise the contribution that Scotland could make towards the Continent’s energy needs.
In a meeting with José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, the First Minister said that it was vital to press ahead with an electricity super-grid across the North Sea. “It could offer the Continent many answers to questions of security of supply and green energy,” Mr Salmond said.
The First Minister suggested that a combination of Scotland’s North Sea resources, offshore wind and wave and tidal power, coupled with Norwegian hydro-generated electricity, would in time be sufficient to meet Germany’s energy needs. He also noted that the commission, as part of the EU economic recovery plan, was investing in Scotland’s energy potential through an offshore transmission hub.
He said it was ironic that despite having legislated for ambitious anti-global warming measures, Scotland could not represent itself at the Copenhagen climate summit.