LAST week, I hosted an energy conference in Tranent which brought together around 75 people working in and developing the energy sector in East Lothian.

It’s a forum which I started and have chaired for three years now - jobs are being delivered through renewables now, with fantastic opportunities for many more.

On April 28, 2019, Scotland became the first country in the world to declare a climate emergency.

In the years since, the SNP has made green prosperity a key plank of its governing programme, putting clean energy and renewable technologies at the heart of Scotland’s economic growth and underlining our determination to deliver on our climate commitments.

The Scottish Government is realising its ambition to make Scotland the world’s first clean energy superpower.

That’s why we generated the equivalent of 113 per cent of our electricity consumption from renewable technologies in 2022.

From anchoring clean energy supply chains to investing in cutting-edge carbon capture and storage, Scotland is already a top destination for foreign direct investment in key energy sectors and is on track to lead the world in the shift to a greener economy.

And most recently, right here in East Lothian, an electric ‘superhighway’ has been approved between Scotland and England, exporting clean energy, creating new and sustainable jobs, and recognising the key role Scotland’s renewables play in decarbonising the grid.

Too many families this winter will have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table - and all because the broken energy regulation system in London puts the wealthy first.

In October, energy bills are set to rise yet again, thanks to regulator Ofgem once more lifting the price cap. Their reasoning is that energy companies must be allowed to make a profit.

The decision by Ofgem means the average yearly bill will rise to £1,717: this is nothing short of scandalous.

The SNP is resolute in its commitment to a cleaner, cheaper energy ecosystem in Scotland that will not only provide electricity from renewable sources and help in the fight against the climate crisis, but will dramatically lower costs for Scottish families.

A greener, fairer future is possible – and the SNP is determined to deliver that.