A NEW report, published today (Tuesday 14 July) shows, for the first time, that a truly sustainable energy future is achievable for Scotland, meeting climate change, renewable energy and energy saving targets and creating new economic opportunities while protecting sensitive environments and maintaining security of supply.
Says a spokesperson: “The Power of Scotland Renewed report, based on research by independent energy analysts, Garrad Hassan, and commissioned by Friends of the Earth Scotland, the World Development Movement, WWF Scotland and RSPB Scotland, shows that there is enormous potential to increase generation of electricity from renewable sources during the next two decades, so much so that by 2030 renewable energy can meet between 60 per cent and 143 per cent of Scotland’s projected annual electricity demand.
“If Scotland also meets official targets for energy saving, the research concludes it is feasible for all fossil fuel fired generation to be closed by 2030, delivering almost complete decarbonisation for Scotland’s electricity supply. Even in the ‘business as usual’ case Scotland does not require any new fossil or nuclear capacity to maintain security of supply. Instead, security of supply can be maintained by practical investments in grid upgrades, interconnectors, deferrable demand and electricity storage.”
Today’s report comes ahead of series of UK government announcements this week, including an energy white paper, a renewable energy strategy and a low-carbon industrial strategy.
Duncan McLaren, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “The threat from climate change grows daily but we still have time to take action to prevent climate chaos, as this report clearly shows. Scotland’s world-leading Climate Change legislation commits us to cutting overall greenhouse gas emissions by at least 42 per cent by 2020, and at least 80 per cent by 2050. This report shows how Scotland’s energy sector can make these targets a reality. It is vital that we grasp the new economic and job opportunities that would come with a sustainable energy future.”
Liz Murray, head of Scottish Campaigns for the World Development Movement, said:
“300,000 people are already dying every year due to climate change. The vast majority of these are in developing countries, which have contributed virtually nothing to the problem. Developing countries need to see rich countries not only committing to reduce emissions, but also bringing in policies now to ensure those emissions reductions happen.
“Our report shows that the Scottish Government can do this by ruling out coal in Scotland and embracing energy efficiency and renewables. And if they do it before the international climate change negotiations in December, they could make a real and lasting contribution to reaching a global agreement.”
Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said:
“Scotland has the best renewable energy potential of any country in Europe and we should be aiming high. This new report provides us with a clear description of how to set ourselves on the path to 100 per cent renewable power.
“The message is clear, Scotland’s renewable potential has to be fully realised and that means harnessing the considerable wave and tidal power of our seas and continuing the expansion of both onshore and offshore wind. When combined with the oft-forgotten investment in energy efficiency and demand management, Scotland can be confident of having a secure decarbonised electricity supply, the critical first step to reducing our emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050.”
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