John Swinney has been urged to be “honest” with the public about the true cost of net zero and change course to aim for an “affordable transition”.
In a speech on Thursday, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay will say protecting the environment must not mean forcing ever higher bills on workers and families.
He will say the focus needs to be on an “affordable transition” instead of the SNP's “so-called just transition”.
Findlay will say that nuclear energy holds the key to that affordable transition, and work should be started on up to nine new small modular nuclear reactors to replace the energy that will be lost by closing the Hunterston B and Torness stations.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay will say: “Protecting our environment and tackling climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our age.
“But the SNP’s approach is ill-conceived, inconsistent, chaotic and fundamentally dishonest.
“I’d like to lay down a challenge to the First Minister.
“I am calling for the SNP’s so-called just transition to be scrapped – in favour of an affordable transition.
“I urge the SNP to ditch their empty sloganeering and embrace a considered and pragmatic environmentalism.
“A new approach that understands the need to protect our economy and jobs.
“That takes the common-sense position of using oil and gas in the North Sea before importing fossil fuels from abroad.
“A Scottish Conservative transition is an honest, affordable and pragmatic transition.
“It keeps household bills low and gives business a level playing field in a brutally competitive world.
“Our nation faces losing out on abundant clean nuclear energy and jobs because of the SNP’s bone-headed ideological opposition.
“Nuclear power generated 31 per cent of our electricity in 2021. When Hunterston B in Ayrshire closed that dropped to 19 per cent two years later.
“Torness, in East Lothian, is Scotland’s last remaining nuclear power station and is due to close as soon as 2030.
“By blocking new nuclear power stations in Scotland, the SNP are harming our economy and impeding efforts to reach net zero.
“That’s why my party would commit to starting construction on nine new small modular reactors in the next five years.
“Our aim should be to replace the amount of power lost by the closures of Hunterston B and Torness.
“This will guarantee clean and stable energy. It will bring down bills for householders. It will give business a boost. It is basic common sense.”