Solar energy strategy pushed back till 2024

Scottish Liberal Democrat communities spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today accused the SNP and Greens of “going backwards" on climate commitments after it was announced that government has pushed back its solar energy strategy until at least the summer of 2024.  

In January, the Scottish Government announced that it would be publishing its Solar Vision plan in 2023, promising to “minimise the barriers to deployment wherever possible.”  

However, Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray has today announced that the government will not be publishing the Solar Vision plan until the summer of 2024.  

Mr Rennie said:

“Rather than accelerating energy efficiency and cutting sky-rocketing bills, the SNP and Greens are going backwards.  

“The Scottish budget exposed a government that talks a lot about climate change but fails to deliver on climate change.  

“Improvements in solar panel technology have lagged behind other parts of the UK. Businesses want to do their part, but they will struggle to do so with a government that lacks the necessary leadership.

“The delay to the plan doesn’t meet the urgency of the climate emergency.

“Unlike the nationalists, Scottish Liberal Democrats will stand up for a growing and thriving renewables sector and make it easier for companies and households to invest in technologies like solar.”