Experts urge Scotland to consider more nuclear power stations

The First Minister has come under pressure from his own financial advisors
to rethink his opposition to nuclear energy.

There is said to be a divide in Alex Salmond's Council of Economic Advisors on the country's energy strategy.

Some advisors are convinced that Scotland should have a combination of energy sources including nuclear power.

This move is against the SNP's resolution to concentrate on renewable energy including hydro electric, wind and wave power.

Westminster plans to install up to ten nuclear power stations in the UK by 2020, making nuclear power part of the country's overall energy supply.

However, the SNP would like to see the nuclear power stations at Torness, East Lothian and Hunterston, Ayrshire, stay in use until they come to a natural end and then dismantle them.

Nuclear power would move the government closer to its target to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050.

Mr Salmond says that this reduction could be achieved by increasing the level of renewable energy used.

The Scottish Tories' deputy leader Murdo Fraser told the Daily Express: "Alex Salmond's own Council of Economic Advisers has twice warned that Scotland needs to consider all types of energy and has called for an independent report. We back that call.

"Alex Salmond must stop acting like a wise monkey, deaf to advice given."

Labour energy spokesman Lewis Macdonald said: "It would be a huge mistake to rule out future consideration of nuclear energy."

(Source: STV, Scotland)