Scotland has a long history of nuclear research and electricity generation. Work started on the Dounreay reactor in 1955. +Nuclear power generation in Scotland Year TWh Share2004 18.83 37.71%2005 19.67 39.68%2006 14.91 28.77%2007 13.14 27.58%2008 15.86 31.91%2009 16.68 32.71%2010 15.29 30.93%2011 16.89 33.21%2012 17.05 33.87%2013 18.50 34.89%2014 16.63 33.24%2015 17.76 34.60%2016 19.63 42.97%2017 17.83 36.50%2018 13.61 27.96%2019 12.23 24.65%2020 13.46 25.96%2021 14.47 30.30%2022 7.94 15.79%
Four other sites provided electricity to the National Grid in Scotland, however generation ceased at Hunterson A in 1990 and at Chapelcross in 2004. Between 2004 and 2021, nuclear energy accounted for 25–43% of the annual electricity generation in Scotland. As of 2022, there is only one remaining operating nuclear power station in Scotland (Torness).
The Scottish National Party (SNP) government elected in 2007 had a 'no new nuclear power strategy'. This position is at odds with UK government policy which in January 2008 announced the go-ahead for new nuclear power stations to be built across the United Kingdom. In response, Scotland's then First Minister Alex Salmond commented there was 'no chance' of new nuclear power stations being built in Scotland.New nuclear power stations get go-ahead The Parliament voted 63–58 to support the policy of opposing new nuclear power stations, taking advantage of a loophole which permits a veto on planning, despite lacking authority over the UK energy policy. Others support nuclear as part of a sustainable, clean energy policy.
Nuclear reactors in Scotland Power station reactors Chapelcross, Dumfries and Galloway (Generation ceased 2004) Hunterston A, North Ayrshire (Generation ceased 1990) Hunterston B, North Ayrshire – EDF Energy owned AGR (Generation ceased 2022) Torness, East Lothian – EDF Energy owned AGR (Scheduled for shut down in 2030)
Research reactors Dounreay VULCAN (Rolls-Royce Naval Marine) (decommissioned in 1992) PWR2 (Rolls-Royce Naval Marine) – (shut down 2015) DMTR – (shut down 1969) Dounreay Fast Reactor – Fast breeder reactor (shut down 1977) Prototype fast reactor – (shut down 1994) East Kilbride – Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre (100 kW Argonaut class reactor deactivated 1995, fully dismantled 2003)
Nuclear-powered vessels
HMNB Clyde (Faslane) is the homeport of the nuclear-powered submarines of the Vanguard and Astute classes: HMS Vanguard HMS Victorious HMS Vigilant HMS Vengeance HMS Astute HMS Ambush HMS Artful HMS Audacious HMS Anson
seven nuclear-powered submarines were stored at Rosyth Dockyard after decommissioning and the removal of their fuel: HMS Churchill HMS Dreadnought HMS Resolution HMS Repulse HMS Renown HMS Revenge HMS Swiftsure
Public opinion In 2013, a YouGov energy survey concluded that:
By 2020, an IMechE survey found that support for nuclear had increased to 49% in favour.
See also Nuclear power in the United Kingdom Economy of Scotland Renewable energy in Scotland List of Scotland-related topics
References