Last week, I was pleased to announce a major upgrade at Peterhead power station by Scottish and Southern Energy. Their plans mean that an alternative carbon capture programme is still on the agenda – after the scheme we previously had in place with BP earlier this year fell through, due to lack of support from Westminster.

I believe that this means that Peterhead is now on course to become the largest and most efficient gas generator of its type in Europe, as the new investment will enable it to produce more power and reduce carbon emissions.

Last week also saw me open the European Marine Energy Centre’s (EMEC) tidal energy test centre in Eday in Orkney.

This new site, which harnesses the tidal run known as the Fall of Warness, is the first of its kind in the world which has been set up to provide developers of tidal energy devices with a purpose-built performance testing facility.

It complements the existing wave energy converter test site at Stromness – which I was able to announce has just been given consent by the Scottish Government to host the biggest wave energy project in the world! The project will see four Pelamis wave energy converters of a prototype already tested at EMEC.

Both of these are excellent announcements for the future of cleaner and greener energy production in Scotland. The company’s confirmation that tidal, wave and carbon capture are on their immediate agenda points the way to further large investment in Scottish power generation.

The Scottish Government will support these new technologies wherever possible, increasing sustainable economic growth and helping tackle climate change. The revolutionary work of the European Marine Energy Centre and Scottish and Southern Energy is a perfect example of how we can deliver the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy for generations to come.

School meals

ANOTHER very positive announcement that the Scottish Government has made is to take on board the encouraging findings of the pilot scheme in the central belt of having healthier school meal options.

We plan to make schools meals in Scotland healthier than ever by removing sweets and fizzy drinks, and only serving chips as part of an overall balanced diet for our young people.

We consulted widely on this matter and took advice from a group of nutrition, child health, dental and education experts, who drew up recommendations as to what should be served in school canteens and vending machines. Ministers then considered the group’s proposals and decided on new nutritional guidelines for Scottish schools that will be written into our legislation.

These new rules, which will apply from August 2008, mean that schools must offer at least two portions of fruit and vegetables every lunchtime, will serve oily fish once every three weeks, and will limit deep fried food to three items weekly.

Improving our health in Scotland will be a hard task, but we have a head start here in the North-east, where we are lucky to be one of the largest consumers of fresh produce in the country. Many studies have proved that higher concentration levels and better behaviour is observed in children with a healthy diet – so it is also good for their education.

Cigarette sales

THE Scottish Government’s most recent announcement to raise the age cigarette sales from 16 to 18 is another step in the drive to improve the health of young people across Scotland.

It sends out a clear message that tobacco is an unsafe substance and the effects of its use can be particularly damaging to young people.

I really hope that it will prevent young people from taking up smoking in the first place.

A significant impact of raising the age to 18 will be that it will be easier for shopkeepers to identify whether young people are old enough to buy cigarettes, by means of a passport, a driving licence or a proof-of-age card.

We have put together a range of measure we want to take forward, which includes preventative education, tougher enforcement and advice and support to help young people kick the habit. My hope and belief is that these combined measures will result in a continual fall in the number of young people taking up smoking.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---