The union submitted the response on behalf of more than 10,000 members living and working in Scotland – nearly 3,000 of whom work in energy-related jobs.

The consultation paper sets out the Government's support for a balanced energy mix, including thermal generation, which marks a move away from relying on renewables.

Prospect has long campaigned around this issue and welcomed the Government's stance in the submission.

Prospect's submission makes the argument for new nuclear to be part of this balanced energy mix and notes the Government's apparent softening of its position on new nuclear technologies as part of a future generating portfolio. As the consultation paper sets out, the block on replacing Hunterston and Torness applies to power stations built "under current technologies".

Prospect also highlights the need for:

• a greater role for trade unions in developing skills, particularly in the renewables sector
• more investment in smartgrid technology
• the Scottish Government to fully engage with the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.

You can download the full submission from the Prospect library