Scotland's energy revolution must belong to its people

The National

5 hours ago

From Peterhead to Fraserburgh, from Buckie to Macduff, I've seen first-hand how energy has shaped my constituency. Generations of workers have kept the energy flowing to the UK from the North Sea basin. And even now, as the conversation rightly shifts toward renewables, as our North Sea basin is depleting, our region still stands at the forefront with world-leading offshore wind, green hydrogen innovation, and carbon capture potential like no other.
But here's the hard truth: while Scotland generates the energy, we don't get to control the strategy. Westminster holds the purse strings and sets the rules. And as we saw again this week, that's holding us back.
READ MORE: Taxing the rich is never on the agenda when politicians talk about being 'tough'
The UK Government's latest announcement on carbon capture, the Acorn project at St Fergus, should be good news. And on the surface, it is. Acorn has the potential to transform our region into a global hub for net-zero innovation. It could create thousands of high-quality jobs, anchor supply chains in the north-east, and help the UK meet its climate targets.
But there's a catch. The fine print of the announcement shows it's not the green light many hoped for. Final investment decisions are years away. It's development funding, not delivery. And we've been here before. The Acorn project is not just for carbon capture, but for producing low-carbon hydrogen that could power homes, transport and industry across the UK. There are also early-stage plans for a sustainable aviation fuel plant at the site, which could anchor hundreds of local jobs while turning waste into clean jet fuel. And crucially, St Fergus is set to become a key hub in the proposed UK hydrogen pipeline network.
Once again, our country is doing the heavy lifting, and it deserves the power to shape what comes next. Scotland has been waiting patiently, while other carbon capture clusters in England were prioritised ahead of us. Despite our infrastructure being shovel-ready, and our skilled workforce standing by, decisions were delayed. Now, suddenly, we're being told to celebrate the UK finally noticing our potential, but without any real power to shape or accelerate the outcome.
Let me be clear, I welcome any investment in our region. But we're no longer in the business of cheering handouts. We are a country that deserves agency, not just announcements. As an MSP representing a coastal constituency, I know what a just transition really means.
It's not about cutting off the oil and gas industry overnight. It's not about abandoning communities that have carried the weight of energy production for decades. It's about careful, credible, compassionate planning. It's about looking workers in the eye and saying, you'll be part of what comes next.
We need to bring the workforce with us, not leave them wondering where they fit in. That's why I've always supported CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation, and storage) as part of the solution. It bridges today's industry with tomorrow's ambition. It offers continuity as we pivot toward renewables. And crucially, it allows communities like mine to stay rooted in what we do best in leading the way.
READ MORE: SNP leadership must bite the bullet on independence or step aside
And there's another question I hear time and again from people in my constituency, not just about the future of industry, but about the future of their bills. Because what's the point of being energy-rich if households still feel poor?
The reality is Scotland produces more electricity than we consume, and more than 110% of that comes from renewables. Yet families in the north-east are still paying punishing prices while energy companies profit and pricing systems favour the south.
That's why recent comments from Octopus Energy's CEO struck such a chord. He said that if the system were properly reformed, people in Scotland living near abundant renewable generation could effectively see free electricity at times. His proposal, for what's called zonal or regional pricing, could lower bills in areas like mine, where clean power is generated and exported to the rest of the UK. In other words, Scots shouldn't just power the nation, but we should benefit from it.
Of course, others in the energy sector have raised concerns about the complexity of implementing such a system, and it must be done carefully. But the core idea is sound. And it reveals something deeper, that the current system isn't working for ordinary people, especially in energy-producing communities. That must change.
This year offers us all an opportunity to shape the conversation about where Scotland is headed. Energy should be at the heart of that. Not just as a climate issue, or an economic one, but as a democratic one. Who decides what happens to Scotland's resources? Who benefits? Who's accountable?
These are the questions we should be asking. Because if we want a future where energy works for people, reducing bills, creating jobs, and protecting the planet, then we need to be honest about what's holding us back.
READ MORE: Scottish fishing body accuses David Attenborough of 'propaganda' over new film
We have already laid strong foundations. Public investment in clean energy. A just transition fund. Support for hydrogen, offshore wind, and local infrastructure. But time and again, progress is held back by powers that sit elsewhere. Energy strategy, infrastructure funding, pricing systems, taxation – all major levers remain at Westminster.
So, let's make sure energy is not just a technical debate for experts behind closed doors. It belongs on the front page. It belongs in living rooms and community halls. It belongs in every conversation about Scotland's future. Because this isn't just about industry. It's about justice, economic, environmental, and democratic.
If we want to see the full benefits of our energy wealth, lower bills, secure jobs, and a thriving green economy, then we need more than resources. We need the power to decide how they're used, and a government that fights for Scotland to get its fair share. Until then, we'll keep generating the energy, while others call the shots.