The Scottish Affairs Committee has published the British Government’s
response to its inquiry into the renewable energy in Scotland, in which the
UK energy department says that there is a significant pipeline of new wind
power coming forward in Scotland.
He said: “Looking forward, we expect significant further deployment in
Scotland over the coming years. The majority of onshore wind projects that
qualified for the Renewables Obligation early closure grace period are
expected be in Scotland, as are 10 of the 15 onshore wind projects that
were successfully allocated a CFD.
“The 588MW Beatrice offshore wind project in the Outer Moray Firth will
begin offshore construction in 2017 and the 92.4MW European Offshore Wind
Deployment Centre off Aberdeenshire is expected to be operational in 2018.
“There is also a significant pipeline of projects – including 1,116MW of
offshore wind – which have planning consent and can deploy subject to their
success in any future CFD auction.
“In addition, the latest Scotland Act now provides for a formal
consultative role for the Scottish Government in designing renewable
incentive schemes that will apply in Scotland.
“In implementing this we will continue to ensure that the Scottish
Government is consulted on the design of new incentives to support
renewable electricity generation that will apply in Scotland; or the
redesign of existing schemes (i.e. the Feed-in Tariffs, the Renewables
Obligation and the Contracts for Difference scheme) as they relate to
Scotland.”
However, Committee Chairman, SNP MP Pete Wishart, said he was disappointed
that the Government has not recognised the uncertainty felt in the
renewable sector, or provided meaningful support and reassurance in their
response.
In its report, published earlier this year, the committee noted that the
removal of subsidies had affected confidence in the long-term viability of
plants and technological development.
The removal of subsidies for onshore wind in particular, one of cheapest
renewable sources, without consultation with the industry or Scottish
Government was particularly troubling.
Wishart commented: “The Government’s response to our report shows a
worrying complacency. They are right to recognise the strong performance of
Scotland’s renewable sector, but they have not responded to the voices of
those in the industry who have told us that they are facing an uncertain
future.
“We are told that everything is fine, but where are the reassurances to the
renewable sector that the support will be there to encourage the
development of new plants and new technologies? Where is the investment in
infrastructure?
“They have provided us with a tacit admission that they think onshore wind
has reached its limit – let’s hope that is not their view of the industry
as a whole.
“Scotland has been way ahead of the rest of the United Kingdom when it
comes to renewable energy. The Government should be celebrating this and
doing everything it can to ensure this success continues into the future,
not cutting support and reducing confidence.
“We urge them to do more to work with representatives of the industry and
the Scottish Government as they develop future plans.”
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