Southern Reporter: Coalition accused over energy needs

Scottish ministers have accused Westminster of failing to guarantee the UK's future energy needs, warning of the "highest blackout risk in a generation".

The coalition government must prioritise security of supply as the gap between electricity supply and demand gets tighter, a report by the Scottish Government says.

It cites an Ofgem warning that spare generating capacity could fall as low as 2% in the future.

With its plentiful natural resources Scotland can "help keep the lights on and energy bills down" - now and following a yes vote for independence, according to the paper.

But it criticised Westminster's "mixed messages" on renewable energy and said it needed firmer safeguards as a contributor to a "single GB-wide energy market".  MORE