Scotland has a long history of nuclear research and electricity generation. Work started on the Dounreay reactor in 1955.
| 2004 | 18.83 | 37.71% | |
| 2005 | 19.67 | 39.68% | |
| 2006 | 14.91 | 28.77% | |
| 2007 | 13.14 | 27.58% | |
| 2008 | 15.86 | 31.91% | |
| 2009 | 16.68 | 32.71% | |
| 2010 | 15.29 | 30.93% | |
| 2011 | 16.89 | 33.21% | |
| 2012 | 17.05 | 33.87% | |
| 2013 | 18.50 | 34.89% | |
| 2014 | 16.63 | 33.24% | |
| 2015 | 17.76 | 34.60% | |
| 2016 | 19.63 | 42.97% | |
| 2017 | 17.83 | 36.50% | |
| 2018 | 13.61 | 27.96% | |
| 2019 | 12.23 | 24.65% | |
| 2020 | 13.46 | 25.96% | |
| 2021 | 14.47 | 30.30% | |
| 2022 | 7.94 | 15.79% |
Four other sites provided electricity to the National Grid in Scotland, however generation ceased at Hunterson A in 1990 and at Chapelcross in 2004. Between 2004 and 2021, nuclear energy accounted for 25-43% of the annual electricity generation in Scotland. As of 2022, there is only one remaining operating nuclear power station in Scotland (Torness).[2]
The Scottish National Party (SNP) government elected in 2007 had a 'no new nuclear power strategy'. This position is at odds with UK government policy which in January 2008 announced the go-ahead for new nuclear power stations to be built across the United Kingdom. In response, Scotland's then First Minister Alex Salmond commented there was 'no chance' of new nuclear power stations being built in Scotland.[3] The Parliament voted 63–58 to support the policy of opposing new nuclear power stations,[4] taking advantage of a loophole which permits a veto on planning, despite lacking authority over the UK energy policy. Others support nuclear as part of a sustainable, clean energy policy.[5]
See also: Royal Navy Submarine Service. HMNB Clyde (Faslane) is the homeport of the nuclear-powered submarines of the Vanguard and Astute classes:
seven nuclear-powered submarines were stored at Rosyth Dockyard after decommissioning and the removal of their fuel :[6]
In 2013, a YouGov energy survey concluded that:By 2020, an IMechE survey found that support for nuclear had increased to 49% in favour.[7]