Press Release: Hydro Powered Countries Paying Less to Heat Their Homes

HYDRO POWERED COUNTRIES PAYING LESS TO HEAT THEIR HOMES

Countries that are powered by clean, renewable energy sources are paying far less to heat their homes, according to a new report.

Analysis conducted by the Australian Energy Council found that countries like Canada and Norway – who are dominated by hydroelectrical plants - have the lowest household electricity prices in the OECD.

To date, Canada obtains most of its electricity from hydro (60%), while Norway generates almost all (93%) of its needs from hydroelectricity plants.

The report comes as the UK’s Energy Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, conceded that the government’s nuclear plan could increase household energy bills in the near future.

The SNP has called on the UK government to use the inflated oil and gas prices to invest in a Track 1 carbon capture site in the North East of Scotland, and to match the Scottish Government’s £500 million Just Transition investment.

Commenting, the SNP’s Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change Alan Brown MP said:

“The SNP has long held the view that the future of Scotland’s energy must come from clean, renewable sources.

“Sadly though, the outdated Westminster system that Scotland is currently chained too continues to take a different stance on the issue – investing in nuclear energy rather than things like wind which is the cheapest form of power.

“This latest analysis from the Australian Energy Council shows that those who live in countries dominated by hydroelectrical plants are paying far less in heating costs, thus saving crucial income during the cost of living crisis.

“We know that the Treasury are reaping the rewards of inflated oil and gas prices, with £13.6 billion of additional income generated from Scotland’s resources, and a further £6 billion earned from the Emissions Trading Scheme.

“Therefore it is crucial that this money is reinvested into the Scottish Cluster if we are to meet our emissions reduction milestones, and for a just transition to net zero – not just for Scotland, but across the UK.

“Not only that, the UK government must also progress pumped hydro which can be built at a fraction of the cost. SSE have all the permissions in place and are ready to build a new pumped storage hydro scheme at Corie Glas in the Highlands. All that is required is an agreement on a minimum price of electricity.

“It is high time the UK government finally got their act together and resolved all of these issues. There can be no more delays.”