Scottish Renewables has set out the key objectives and policy requirements for the Scottish government as it prepares to publish its Energy Strategy for Scotland in early 2017.
Scottish Renewables’ publication ‘Renewed Ambitions: A Plan for Renewable Energy in Scotland’ contains measures to ‘set a clear vision for the future of Scottish energy sector’.
The measures outlined by Scottish Renewables, expected to ensure the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy industry, propose that government sets a target of at least 50% of Scotland’s energy needs to come from renewable sources in 2030.
Among the recommendations is also the one that advises the government to support the development of newer forms of renewable energy technologies where Scotland has the potential to be a world leader, including storage, advanced conversion, green gas, floating wind and marine energy.
Also, in order to become a world-leading center of excellence and expertise in emerging renewable energy technologies and integrated energy systems, and to maximize the economic impact of renewable energy related R&D, the Scottish government should produce a strategy for energy innovation and consider establishing an Innovation Centre for Sustainable Energy, according to Scottish Renewables.
Furthermore, the government should continue providing support for energy innovation through initiatives such as Wave Energy Scotland, Energy Technology Partnerships, and others.
Jenny Hogan , Scottish Renewables’ Director of Policy, said: “A new target – for at least 50% of Scotland’s energy needs to come from renewable sources in 2030 – would enable us to continue to build on the economic and environmental benefits our industry is already delivering. Changes in our energy system such as the increasing use of energy storage, together with emerging renewable energy technologies like green gas, tidal and wave energy, provide opportunities for Scotland to lead the world.”
Scottish Renewables also proposes that the government should create conditions to at least double the current installed capacity of renewable electricity generation by 2030, stating that this can be achieved through working with stakeholders to make the consenting process more coherent, ensure planning guidelines encourage consideration of the latest, most efficient technologies, and lowering the cost and increase access to the electricity network.
In addition, other suggestions made by Scottish Renewables include creating the conditions to at least triple renewable heat output by 2030, maximize the electrification and decarbonization of the transport system, grow the Scottish supply chain and develop a Scottish Renewable Energy Bond to widen the benefits of renewables, and ensure the Scotland’s public sector leads the next chapter of the energy evolution.