media release
Friends of the Earth Scotland
Scotland sets 40% renewables target
New target "goes further than rest of UK" - says FoE
Friends of the Earth Scotland today (Tuesday 25 March 2003) warmly welcomed the Scottish Executive announcement that it has set a target of producing 40% of ScotlandÕs electricity from renewable sources by 2020. [1]
Commenting Friends of the Earth Scotland's Head of Research, Dr Dan Barlow, said:
“This is great news and presents a fantastic opportunity for Scotland to curb its climate change emissions and benefit from the thousands of potential jobs in renewable energy technology. The Scottish Executive has demonstrated a commitment to renewable energy which goes much further than that set out in the UK Energy White Paper.
“The 40 per cent target sends a clear signal that Scotland is committed to achieving a sustainable and secure energy policy based on renewables rather than polluting fossil fuel and nuclear sources. Scotland is now ideally placed to capitalise on its huge renewable energy potential and set an example to the rest of the UK.
“The Executives announcement to invest in a Marine Energy Research Centre is also very welcome. Scotland has a wide range of renewable resources and it is vital that we stimulate development in all of these sectors.” [2]
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Finnie confirms 40 per cent renewables
target, Scottish Executive press release.
Details from Mark Auld on 0131 244 1735 [* FULL RELEASE ATTACHED]
Today's announcement represents the first opportunity for the Scottish
Executive to respond to the recently published UK Energy White Paper.
While the Paper gave no encouragement for a new build of nuclear power
plants it also failed to set an overall renewables target for the UK.
Friends of the Earth had been urging the Scottish Executive to steal
a march on the rest of the UK, tackle climate change and reap the jobs
bonanza that setting a 40% renewables target would present for Scotland.
[2] Scotland has many potential renewable resources including solar, wave and biomass.
In December 2001 a study published by the Scottish Executive found that Scotland could easily meet all of its electricity demands from renewable resources. Importantly, the report also noted that this could be achieved without damaging any designated nature conservation areas.
| Technology | Generating Capacity (GW) |
Energy (TWh) |
| Offshore Wind | 25 |
80 |
| Wave Energy | 14 |
50 |
| Onshore Wind | 11.5 |
45 |
| Tidal stream | 7.5 |
33.5 |
| Agricultural wastes | 0.4 |
3.5 |
| Small hydro | 0.3 |
1 |
| Energy Crops | 0.14 |
1.1 |
| Forestry Residues | 0.09 |
0.7 |
| Total | 59.1 |
216 |
 |
||
The study used up-to-date information on each resource, and modelled it against economic, environmental, planning and technical constraints. The study indicates that nearly 60GW of new renewable energy generating capacity could be available in and offshore Scotland at under 7p per unit in 2010 (including connection costs but not grid strengthening costs). For comparison, the total UK installed generation capacity is around 80GW, while the total amount of electricity supplied in a year is around 390TWh.
Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/who/elld/energy/SRS2001ExecSumm.pdf
Note: electricity from solar (photovoltaics) is not included in the above study due to the current high costs. However, Scotland is well placed to benefit from 'thermal' solar technologies (used for heating air or water). See http://www.sseg.org.uk/ for more details.
[3] Currently around 10% of Scotland's electricity is generated from renewables (mainly old hydro power schemes). Previously the Executive already has a commitment to produce around 18% by 2010.
[4] Friends of the Earth is a supporting organisation
of the 'everyone' campaign - an initiative from Scottish Environment
LINK. Some 26 organisations
with nearly half a million supporters are combining forces to push the
environment up the political agenda in the run up to the Scottish Parliamentary
elections on May 1st. Already, an opinion poll by System 3 published
by the campaign on 26th February shows that the environment is likely
to be a decisive issue for the majority of voters during this May's Scottish
elections.
The campaign features demands for a better environment with specific
measures for clean air, healthy seas, safe food, less landfill, protection
for wildlife and wild places, reduction in climate changing gases. It
also features a campaigning website for supporters to target candidate
MSPs directly.
In addition to support for renewables the 'everyone' campaign calls on parties to:
- Tackle climate change by improving domestic energy efficiency by 20% by 2010 and a further 20% by 2020.
- Introduce energy auditing for all homes.
For more information: Lang Banks on 0131 554 9977 or (pager) 07654 200937
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From:
THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
25 March 2003
FINNIE CONFIRMS 40 PER CENT RENEWABLES TARGET
Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie today confirmed
that Scotland would generate 40 per cent of its energy requirements from
a mix of renewable energy sources by 2020.
The Executive published consultation on a proposed 40 per cent target last August. Responding to that consultation, Mr Finnie said that Scotland's potential to achieve a diverse mix of renewable technologies has persuaded Ministers to adopt the 40 per cent target.
Highlighting the need to promote a range of renewable
technologies, Mr Finnie also announced a £2 million investment in a new
Marine Energy Research Centre in Orkney. The Executive's response recognises
the barriers to achieving that target and Mr Finnie further announced
the creation of a group to address these
barriers.
Mr Finnie said:
“By setting this challenging target, we are sending a clear signal of intent.
We are supporting the accelerated development of renewable technologies.
“The widespread burning of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases and other pollutants which contribute to climate change. We pledged ourselves in our programme for Government to tackling climate change, and promoting renewable energy is one of the ways we can meet that commitment
“This ambitious target should not be seen as a dash to wind. Scotland enjoys enormous potential to tap a wide range of renewable sources of energy. It is essential that we move to a position where we make better use of all those resources.
“While hydro and onshore wind will continue to make an important contribution to Scotland's electricity needs, the £2 million we are announcing today will help to boost research into energy from wave and tide through the new Marine Energy Test Centre in Orkney.
“It is only by working with individuals and organisations who will deliver renewable energy facilities that our ambition can be realised. This is why we are establishing a high level Forum for Renwewable Energy Development in Scotland to accelerate the development of our renewable industry.
“We must continue to do everything we can to enhance public understanding of climate change and the important contribution that renewable energy plays in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
“Our ambition can only be realised by industry, our research institutions, developers and planners working together to find innovative ways to overcome the challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead.”
Contact: Mark Auld 0131 244 1725
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