The operators of the electricity grid ensure supply on a day-to-day basis. Scotland is currently an exporter of electricity although the interconnector with England can import some electricity if needed. The Scottish Government wishes to see Scotland continue as an exporter of electricity for economic reasons but also wishes to see Scotland able to meet its own needs in relation to electricity for reasons of security of supply, while acknowledging the potential to import; such as Norway does in exporting Hydro Power and importing power from other sources as occasionally needed. To this end we will continue to research and debate with key stakeholders the potential of sub-sea interconnectors and other appropriate upgrades to the grid infrastructure.
Some current generating capacity will come to the end of its life over the next 20 years, including nuclear stations. However, the Scottish Government does not consider this is a threat to supply. The operation of the regulated market with the signals this sends to incentivise generation makes it inconceivable that there will not be investment in new generating capacity in Scotland as can be seen from existing investment activity across the energy sector in Scotland. The Government is however in dialogue with BERR and OFGEM to ensure that regulatory mechanisms- such as the transmission charging regime- do not pull investment away from Scotland and, in the case of renewables, from more remote areas of the UK but rather encourage exploitation of renewable resources - which are found predominantly in Scotland.
The Scottish Government also works closely with the energy industry, local authorities and key responders (e.g. Police and Fire) to ensure they have robust contingency plans in place for energy emergencies. This includes close liaison with the UK Government and appropriate regulators to ensure that Scottish issues are represented, progressed and that best practice is implemented.
More widely, the Scottish Government engages closely with UK Government to ensure that Scotland's national infrastructure is resilient and well protected. The national infrastructure is the underlying framework of facilities, systems, sites and networks necessary for the functioning of the country and the delivery of the essential services which we rely on in every aspect of our daily life.
