REFORM UK’s threat to companies over clean energy contracts is “sabotaging” Scotland’s renewables industry, John Swinney has said.
Reform UK have previously promised to reverse the ban on new North Sea oil and gas on “day one” if they win power in Westminster.
And now, deputy leader Richard Tice has issued a threat to an energy firm CEO over an upcoming offshore wind allocation round.
In a letter to Greg Jackson, of Octopus Energy, Tice warned that by bidding in the auction for clean energy contracts, they would be doing so “at your own risk”.
He claimed there was little public support for clean energy projects, and that if Reform win power they would “strike down” all contracts awarded under Allocation Round 7 (AR7).
First Minister John Swinney criticised the intervention on social media, writing: “This is Nigel Farage sabotaging Scotland’s renewable energy industry.”
In the letter, dated July 16, Tice wrote: “In your capacity as the chief executive of Octopus Energy, I am writing to put you and your investors on formal notice.
“The renewables agenda no longer enjoys cross-party support.”
The deputy leader claimed that public opinion was against clean energy and that a Westminster government led by Nigel Farage is “now more likely than not”.
He added that if Reform win the next General Election, or holds the balance of power, they will “immediately reassess all net zero-related commitments”.
“We will prioritise cost, reliability and security of supply over spurious decarbonisation targets, and as a first step, we will seek to strike down all contracts signed under AR7,” Tice added.
“Should you choose to participate, you should treat any long-term revenue streams as politically and commercially unsafe.
“Let me be clear: if you enter bids in AR7, you do so at your own risk.”
He added: “As we have seen with President Donald Trump in the United States and the 2016 Brexit referendum, the era of unquestioned liberal progressive orthodoxy across the Western hemisphere is over.
“Prospective investors in the UK's net zero economy would be wise to take note.”
In response, SNP MP Chris Law added: “Make no mistake, Reform Party clearly threatening to destroy Scotland's future energy industry.
“Only @theSNP will stand up for Scotland.”
One social media user added: “Your reminder that 90% of Reform funding comes from big oil.”
Tice previously told energy bosses that Reform would reverse the ban on oil and gas licensing and provide billions of public investment in fossil fuel projects if they win the 2029 election.
They also told oil and gas companies they would provide tax breaks and slash regulations in a move described as “straight from the Trump playbook”.
