Producing half of Scotland’s energy needs using renewable technology by
2030 is an achievable goal, according to a report.
Environmental organisations have urged the Scottish Government to adopt the
target and bring forward policies to make it a reality.
Based on independent analysis by Ricardo Energy and Environment, the report
by WWF Scotland, Friends of the Earth Scotland and RSPB Scotland has set
out how Scotland’s climate targets could be met in the most cost-effective
way. It found that to achieve these goals half of all the country’s energy
will need to come from renewables by the end of next decade.
It suggested that two-fifths of Scotland’s homes will be heated from
renewable sources, with a Warm Homes Act helping to ensure access to
cleaner, more affordable heat.
A national energy efficiency programme should help reduce energy use in
homes by 30%, while millions of homes across the country will have to be
insulated, the report added.
One in three cars, and half of all buses, should be electric, with almost
all electricity generated from renewables.
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “This report shows that a 50%
renewables target for all our energy needs by 2030 is not only needed, but
that it is achievable.
“Ministers should now make this a Scottish Government target and bring in
the policies needed in its forthcoming energy strategy.
“Doing so would enable Scotland to enjoy the many economic and social
benefits that the report suggests would take place as result of generating
half of all our energy needs from renewables.
“Scotland is already seeing the economic and social benefits of shifting
our electricity system to clean, climate-friendly, renewables generation.
“However, with electricity accounting for just one quarter of our energy
use, it’s time to begin to reap the same benefits by increasing the use of
renewables in our heat and transport sectors.”
The Scottish Government has already achieved a target to reduce emissions
by at least 42% by 2020.
It also aims to generate 100% of Scotland’s electricity from renewable
sources by 2020.
Responding to the report, chief executive of Scottish Renewables Niall
Stuart said it was time to “lift our horizons and set an ambitious target
to drive investment in renewable heat, power and transport through the 2020s”.
He added: “This report echoes Scottish Renewables’ call for a new 50%
renewable energy target and, importantly, concludes that this is both
achievable and key to meeting our climate change targets.”
The Scottish Government will publish its third climate change plan in the
new year, setting out how it intends to meet emissions targets between now
and 2032, and work towards a long-term reduction of 80% on 1990 levels by
2050.
It will also publish a new energy strategy looking at the transition to a
low-carbon economy.
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The Scottish Government welcomes
this report, which is a useful contribution to the ongoing debate around
the future of energy in Scotland.”
Mark Ruskell, energy spokesman for the Scottish Greens, said: “What
Scotland has to do to meet its climate targets by 2030 have been clearly
set out in this report.
“The findings are more than achievable, so long as the Government shows
enough ambition and determination to adopt the recommendations.”
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