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Green energy summit to be held Green energy summit held in Glasgow
(about 21 hours later)
Energy minister Fergus Ewing is to chair a green energy summit to discuss the impact of plans to end onshore wind farm subsidies. A green energy summit has been held in Glasgow to discuss the impact of plans to end onshore wind farm subsidies.
The UK government recently announced plans to scrap the Renewables Obligation scheme early.The UK government recently announced plans to scrap the Renewables Obligation scheme early.
UK Energy Secretary Amber Rudd has said ending the scheme meant energy bills would not need to rise.UK Energy Secretary Amber Rudd has said ending the scheme meant energy bills would not need to rise.
But Mr Ewing has accused the Conservatives of ignoring Scottish concerns. But Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing, who chaired the summit, has accused the Conservatives of ignoring Scottish concerns.
About 130 businesses and communities will take part in the event in Glasgow. The event was attended by more than 200 people from businesses and organisations, according to the Scottish government.
Manifesto commitmentManifesto commitment
The UK government has said that ending the subsidy scheme, which was funded by a levy on household fuel bills, was likely to mean about 2,500 planned onshore turbines would be cancelled.The UK government has said that ending the subsidy scheme, which was funded by a levy on household fuel bills, was likely to mean about 2,500 planned onshore turbines would be cancelled.
Ending the subsidy was part of a manifesto commitment by the Conservative party ahead of the general election in May.Ending the subsidy was part of a manifesto commitment by the Conservative party ahead of the general election in May.
It had been due to end in April 2017 - but will now cease a year earlier.It had been due to end in April 2017 - but will now cease a year earlier.
When she announced the move last month, Ms Rudd said: "We are driving forward our commitment to end new onshore wind subsidies and give local communities the final say over any new wind farms.When she announced the move last month, Ms Rudd said: "We are driving forward our commitment to end new onshore wind subsidies and give local communities the final say over any new wind farms.
"Onshore wind is an important part of our energy mix and we now have enough subsidised projects in the pipeline to meet our renewable energy commitments.""Onshore wind is an important part of our energy mix and we now have enough subsidised projects in the pipeline to meet our renewable energy commitments."
But the Scottish government has said ending the subsidy will disproportionately affect Scotland, which leads the UK in onshore wind power. But the Scottish government has said that ending the subsidy will disproportionately affect Scotland, which leads the UK in onshore wind power.
And industry body Scottish Renewables has warned the change could put up to £3bn of investment in Scotland at risk. 'Rural economy'
'Ignored concerns' Industry body Scottish Renewables has warned the change could put up to £3bn of investment in Scotland at risk, and called for UK ministers to reconsider.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Mr Ewing said: "We fundamentally disagree with the UK government's decision and today's meeting is an opportunity to hear about the impact this will have. Speaking after the summit, Mr Ewing said: "Delegates this morning spoke about the damage this will cause the rural economy - many of the shops and business that are vital to these communities.
"This is exactly the sort of meeting the UK government should have held before making their announcement, which ignored the concerns of many businesses, organisations and communities across Scotland. "Over the next few weeks DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) will be seeking the views of those affected and I strongly encourage anyone with an interest to respond on this to ensure our concerns are heard.
"There are many communities and companies who have invested significant amounts of money in renewables schemes and have now found the goalposts have been moved, putting crucial investment and jobs at risk." "We will continue to make representations to both the UK government's energy department and to the Scotland Office, feeding back from what I heard at the summit and the many meetings I have had with representatives from the industry."
He said he would work with the industry and communities to make representations to the UK government.
Scottish Renewables chair Patricia Hawthorn said the summit would seek "constructive solutions to this very serious issue."
Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, added: "With the right kinds of support north and south of the border, Scotland could generate all its electricity needs and more from clean renewable sources.
"What is needed most is investment certainty for the renewables industry, the powers for which mainly reside at Westminster."