SO farewell Scottish Nuclear, RIP, as stateless Scotland is ''Guinnessed'' again.
The promised operational survival of Scottish Nuclear under the new privatised holding company, British Energy, has proved the shortest ''long-term'' commitment on record. As British Energy subsumes its Scottish and English subsidiaries, it seems Scotland no longer rates even the ''neutered tom'' consolation of an annexed Scottish company surviving in general appearance, if less than intact.
BE waives rules and assumes we will be conned into believing that the UK nuclear roost will be ruled from Edinburgh headquarters now looking across the Atlantic.
The reported objections of shareholders to separate Scottish and English nuclear companies surely confirms that a majority of share are held in England and that is where the shots are called.
With England's Powergen wanting to build a conventional station at Gartcosh, and Martin O'Neill, MP, calling for the Scottish supply grid to be hived off from Scottish Power and Scottish Hydro, we are well on the way to establishing a ''British'' electricity industry. Amalgamation with - or takeover by - the National Grid of England and Wales would follow as surely as day follows night.
The once distinct structure of the industry in Scotland suited Scottish geography, with two vertically integrated undertakings generating and distributing power for home consumption and exporting surplus energy to England via the interconnector. Nuclear stations at Torness and Hunterston were useful assets in an energy-rich country.
British Energy's betrayal runs counter to the ethos of devolution, although underlining the inadequacy of a subordinate legislature. Although an overwhelming majority of Scots voted against the privatisation of Scottish utilities, it would have made some sense to leave the two nuclear stations in Scottish Power's portfolio if the objective was to establish a powerful international multi-utility. A Scottish brand name carries much more resonance in North America than a ''British'' anything.
The one lesson for Scottish devolvers is that even a Progressive Conservative Ontario Provincial Government is unlikely to yield control of Ontario Hydro, or let outsiders take over any of the province's nuclear stations directly. Premier Mike Harris does want his Government re-elected.
Gerald Quin,
9 McCall's Avenue,
Ayr.
May 21.
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