London: Scotland may face huge energy bills alone

LONDON, April 9 (UPI) -- Scottish consumers may end up paying "considerably more" to support an energy sector if they break from the United Kingdom, the British government said.

The British government published a report Wednesday saying a single energy market would be better for the region's economy.

Scotland is to hold a referendum for independence from the United Kingdom in September. Its government says it could support itself in part with revenue from North Sea oil and natural gas reserves while powering its economy through renewable energy reserves.

British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey said a united market has helped support the Scottish energy sector and has kept consumer energy bills down.

"Scottish consumers would end up paying more, possibly considerably more, for energy infrastructure in an independent Scottish state than they do as part of the United Kingdom," he said in a statement.

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said about 25 percent of the electricity generated in his region helped keep the lights on across the rest of the country.