Cuts in subsidies for renewable energy generators will hamper SNP Government green economy drive as oil and gas firms cool on sector

As first minister John Swinney demands the right to hold a second independence referendum he is set to receive a reminder of how dependent Scotland is on funds provided by UK householders.

Under the SNP’s watch, Scotland has been a huge beneficiary of the subsidies provided to the renewable energy industry, which Mr Swinney and predecessors have claimed can power Scotland to prosperity.

However, with the deadline for applications in the latest round of the subsidy programme looming, Scotland must face the prospect of cuts in the support provided for firms, which could have awkward implications for Mr Swinney.

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His claims that Scotland will become a renewables powerhouse rest on the assumption that the country’s geography combined with its windy weather will allow it to generate massive amounts of clean power that will end its dependence on fossil fuel.

First ministers since Alex Salmond have promised that investment in assets such as windfarms and tidal energy generators will lead to the development of a renewable energy supply chain that will create thousands of jobs.

Those claims always looked exaggerated. They have become increasingly threadbare after featuring in SNP election propaganda in the absence of evidence to support them.

While plenty of windfarms have been developed in Scotland and off its shores, most of the related manufacturing work has gone to firms outside the country.

Mr Swinney and colleagues insist investment in innovative assets such as floating windfarms will provide the demand required to encourage firms to develop the production infrastructure that Scotland lacks.

What they do not mention is that investors are only likely to commit to the development of those assets if........

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