Green Energy “Can Supply Over Half of Scotland’s Electricity by 2020”
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom June 14, 2006

New landmark study reveals renewables capable of shattering existing Executive targets

Scottish Renewables, the Green energy industry forum, today (Tuesday June 13) laid out its credentials to the nation’s leaders and told them: “Back us and we will supply half of Scotland’s electricity needs”.

The forum, which represents over 190 Green companies and organisations, unveiled to MSPs at the Scottish Parliament a new landmark study Delivering The New Generation of Electricity - route map to Scotland’s renewable future - which uses independent research to show that renewables is able to provide 33% of our electricity by 2010, and 54% by 2020 - smashing Scottish Executive targets.

Chief executive Maf Smith issued a challenge to the rest of the energy market, saying: “The renewables industry - wind, hydro, marine and biomass - has lived up to its promises and, with appropriate government policy and strategy in place, we will do our bit by providing at least half Scotland’s electricity needs by the target date of 2020. Now it is up to other energy providers to match our achievement in a way that also furthers the fight against climate change by reducing CO2 emissions - be it clean gas and coal, nuclear or whatever.”

Maf Smith also insisted that it was now time for positive new adjectives to be used when referring to renewables targets.

He said: “Until now commentators have tended to prefix any reference to future renewables targets with the word “ambitious”. What this new study clearly shows is that we should now be using the terms “achievable” and “realistic”, for that is what they are.

“This is not pie-in-the-sky speculation. It is hard-nosed fact. Scottish Renewables has brought together and built on previously published independent and respected research sponsored by the Scottish Executive carried out by organisatons such as Garrard Hassan and the University of Edinburgh.”

Professor Jim McDonald, Head of Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Strathclyde University and is Director of the Institute for Energy and Environment, said: “This is a very thorough piece of work and Scottish Renewables should be commended for articulating a vision which has gone further than most in understanding what and how our energy future could look like. The electricity industry in Scotland is more than able to show it can plan for a low carbon future, and the onus must surely be on how we tackle our energy utilisation and transport needs over the next 50 years.

“I also welcome the pragmatism shown in the SRF report that indicates the need for a balanced energy portfolio including renewables and the potential for other low carbon sources such as clean coal and potentially nuclear. In all of this we must also reflect the need for improved energy efficiency and demand side strategies. A major challenge for Scotland to realise our potential renewable energy resources is significant investment in the electricity grid infrastructure. As well as building our transmission system capacity, we now have the opportunity to innovate in terms of network design. Through such approaches, we can be more optimistic about achieving the exciting targets identified in the SRF report.”

However Maf Smith issued one note of caution. He warned that a victory for the anti-lobby in the Beauly-Denny power line upgrade debate could seriously endanger the crucial renewables contribution to Scotland‘s energy future that was outlined today, following recent revelations that a public inquiry could delay the project by up to nine months.

He said: “The wrong decision at this critical stage will have devastating consequences for future investment in the industry. A veto of the power line, which is designed to link remotely-based generation sites to the national grid, could strangle at birth the new renewables technologies where Scotland currently leads the world. This includes marine renewables, both wave and tide power, which has the potential to create up to 7000 Scots jobs.

“A recent GfK/NOP opinion poll (see note 2 & 3 below) showed 76% of Scots felt it was important that the national grid accommodates new renewable schemes to generate electricity. The fact is that without upgrading the national grid and providing a route for energy produced from renewables in the Highlands to the rest of Scotland, we run the risk of halting investment in Scotland’s renewable industry - due to the noise made a small but vocal minority.

“This will put a stop to all the benefits renewables could bring to Scotland, not just clean, sustainable energy sources but jobs and economic growth. It is vital that this, and other planning issues, are quickly resolved.”

Source: Scottish Renewables