New figures showing Scotland’s progress towards decarbonising electricity
generation demonstrate the risks posed by removing support for the
renewables industry earlier than planned, energy minister Fergus Ewing has
said.
Statistics from the Department of Energy and Climate Change show Scotland
generated 4,832 GWh of renewable electricity in the second quarter of 2015,
a 37.3% rise from the same quarter in 2014.
Wind and hydro output increased by 52.2% and 27% respectively compared to
the same quarter the year before, with Scotland generating 41% of the UK’s
wind output.
The Scottish Government’s target of reducing energy consumption by 12% by
2020 is already at the required level in 2013 – down by 13.3% from the
2005-2007 baseline, Mr Ewing said.
He warned, though, the progress demonstrated by the latest figures is
threatened by policy decisions by the UK Government.
UK ministers have announced curbs to solar and onshore wind subsidies and
other support.
Industry body Scottish Renewables has warned excluding new onshore wind
farms from a subsidy scheme from April 1 2016, a year earlier than planned,
alongside other decisions, could cost billions in investment and threatens
jobs in the sector.
Mr Ewing said: “Scotland continues to make good progress on renewable
electricity generation and annually we are now producing double the amount
we did in 2006.
“Scotland has made great progress in increasing the amount of clean, green
electricity in our energy mix.
“However, we are very concerned that the damaging and premature cuts to
support for renewable energy being driven through by the UK Government will
hamper future progress.
“If they are going to pursue this policy, there should be a sufficiently
flexible grace period covering projects already in the planning system.
“This flexibility would ensure companies and communities are not penalised
unfairly by the UK Government policy change where they have already invested.”
The UK Government has said it wants to reduce emissions in the most
cost-effective way and keep bills as low as possible for consumers and
businesses.
It said government support has already driven down the cost of renewable
energy significantly, helping technologies to “stand on their own two feet”.
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “Scotland’s renewables industry now
supports some 20,000 jobs and helps us avoid over a million tonnes of
carbon emissions every month.
“While we need to see a change in attitude towards onshore wind and solar
at Westminster, there’s still much that we can do here in Scotland.
“As we head towards next year’s elections, we look to all parties to
continue this energy transition by committing to produce an electricity
demand reduction strategy and support the continued deployment of renewables.”
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