Members of the public, business representatives, academic researchers and all with an interest in Scotland’s future energy supply have the opportunity to debate the challenges, choices and energy policies our political parties will put to the Scottish electorate in May.
Members of the public, business representatives, academic researchers and all with an interest in Scotland’s future energy supply have the opportunity to debate the challenges, choices and energy policies our political parties will put to the Scottish electorate in May.
Thecross-party public debate on Scottish energy policy will be hosted by the University of Aberdeen as part of its Energy Controversies public lectures.
The event, entitled ‘Is Scotland’s energy future secure?’ takes place on Wednesday 16 February at 6pm in the King’s College Conference Centre on the University’s Old Aberdeen campus. Places can be booked on the University’s website http://www.abdn.ac.uk/
On the panel will be:
• Maureen Watt, SNP
• Lewis Macdonald, Scottish Labour
• Alex Johnstone, Scottish Conservatives
• John Sleigh, Scottish LibDems
• Cllr Martin Ford, Scottish Green Party
The debate will be chaired by Cheryl Paul, STV Business Correspondent.
The discussion is expected to cover issues such as whether membership of the UK provides Scotland with better energy security, should Scotland - once a leader in nuclear technology - turn its back on nuclear power, and is a target of 80% of our electricity coming from renewable energy achievable in practice?
Looking forward to the discussion, Dr Euan Mearns of the University’s School of Geosciences said: “Energy is the lifeblood of our society, and there is surely no issue more important to the Scottish people and industry than knowing that our energy needs are secure and sustainable over the coming decades and for future generations. I am delighted that as part of the University's Energy Controversies series we can offer this opportunity to the public and businesses in the North-east to quiz representatives of Scotland's political parties on their policies and plans for addressing the many challenges and options we face.”
Members of the audience are invited to submit questions to the panel in advance by emailing events@abdn.ac.uk