The United Kingdom’s largest offshore union has launched a broadside against the Scottish Government’s plans to put more money in renewable energy sources and in the attraction of foreign talent that might speed its development.

The union Unite levelled much of its criticism at Scotland’s recent private-public consultation, “Making Scotland a Leader for Green Energy”. The unveiling of a £10 million prize for renewable marine energy innovations appears to have incensed the union.

Unite secretary John Quigley called the government’s vision for meeting energy security targets “blinkered” and he called for investmants in Scottish talent across the energy spectrum, from nuclear to coal, gas and renwables.

Citing the nation’s finance secretary, he said targets of 50 percent renewable energy by 2020 were “far fetched” since wave and tidal power wouldn’t be “commercially viable for up to a decade”.

“To achieve ambitious carbon emission reduction targets of 80 percent by 2050, it is essential that more support is directed towards established, viable energy sources to stop the lights from going out."

Quigly also lambasted a government that said it would have to 'actively target overseas people to fill the required skills gaps' even though migrant workers were returning to better pay and conditions back home in Eastern Europe.