Change energy intensive definition to support Scotch whisky distillers

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called for the government to change its definition of “energy intensive industries” to include distillers and allow them to access energy support.

Speaking during an Urgent Question in Parliament on the government approach to reducing energy prices for energy intensive industries, Mr Carmichael noted that the previous government had included brewers, cidermakers and winemakers in past energy support, but not distillers, despite Scotch whisky being a major source of quality jobs in rural communities.

Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:

“When the previous government looked at supporting ‘energy intensive industries’, they included within the definition of that brewers, cidermakers and winemakers but not distillers, despite the fact that distillers use 17 kilowatts per hour to make a litre of alcohol, compared to brewers using just 0.5 kilowatts per hour.

“So as the government considers measures to support energy intensive industries like distilling, will she consider the fact that the Scotch whisky industry in particular is absolutely critical to the maintenance of economic activity and good quality jobs in some of the most remote and economically fragile communities in this country?”

Responding for the government, the Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Sarah Jones MP said:

“We are obviously keen to do what we can to support the Scotch whisky industry and I have been myself to see and I understand how important it is. Obviously these definitions of energy intensive industries were developed under the previous government and we have no immediate plans to change those, but I will take away his point and look into it.”

Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:

“Scotch whisky distillers in the Northern Isles and across Scotland felt hard done by with the last government’s decision to exclude them from energy support. The new government has the opportunity to make that right, and support rural jobs in the process – they should seize that opportunity now.”