Scottish industry body hails government renewables goals

A new renewable energy target outlined in Scotland’s energy strategy shows ‘huge ambition’, according to Scottish Renewables.

The representative body of the Scottish renewable energy industry, Scottish Renewables, has welcomed the measures outlined in the government’s energy strategy, which include the one targeting half of all energy to come from renewable sources by 2030.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “Scotland’s first energy strategy heralds a new era for the energy system used by us all, and provides a roadmap for others to follow.

“The huge ambition of the new target is to be commended. The strategy creates a framework for us as an industry, Scotland’s policymakers and the public to think in different ways about energy supply and demand.

“Of particular note is the 50% renewable energy target contained in the strategy, which sends a strong signal to industry that renewables should take its place at the heart of our economy.

“Previous targets laid the foundation for the rapid growth of Scotland’s renewable energy industry – an industry which already employs 26,000 people, invests hundreds of millions of pounds every year and displaces the equivalent carbon emissions of our entire transport sector.

“This new target has the potential to do the same not just for the continued growth of our renewable electricity sector but also for heat and transport, where action to decarbonize is urgently needed.”

Newly created funds poised to clear path for wave and tidal power scale-up

Renewables currently provide enough power to deliver more than half of Scotland’s electricity demand, according to Scottish Renewables. Speaking of the strategy’s aim of delivering 17GW of renewable energy capacity, Mack continued:

“Our success in deploying renewable electricity generation capacity means carbon emissions from Scotland’s electricity sector have already reduced by more than 13 million tonnes every year, while jobs and investment have been created across the country.

“Scotland also boasts a wealth of emerging, innovative technologies like wave and tidal power, heat pumps and smart grids, all of which have huge global potential. We hope to see the newly announced low-carbon innovation and investment funds providing viable channels for these technologies to commercialize and scale-up.

“A doubling of renewable electricity capacity over the coming decade will serve to increase the economic and environmental benefits of all these technologies as well as cementing Scotland’s place as a world leader in renewable energy skills and technology.”

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, UK’s flagship technology innovation and research center for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, has also welcomed the publication of the strategy.

Chris Hill, Operational Performance Director of ORE Catapult, said: “We are particularly pleased to see a commitment to developing Scotland’s offshore wind, wave and tidal industries. This will be achieved through nurturing an innovative and competitive supply chain and through supporting research, development and demonstration activities, such as those undertaken at our Glasgow headquarters and our Levenmouth demonstration turbine in Fife.

“The measures outlined today present a substantial opportunity for Scotland’s innovative businesses to share in the opportunities presented by the development of these industries, delivering export opportunities, economic benefit and jobs in Scotland and across the UK.”