An action plan to drive forward Scotland’s renewables revolution, and to meet the Government’s world-leading green energy targets, has been launched. The Renewables Routemap outlines the necessary steps needed to capitalise on the enormous economic potential of Scotland’s green energy capacity and to meet ambitious targets, including supplying 100% of electricity demand equivalent from renewables by 2020.
The plan sets new targets to meet 30% of overall energy demand from renewables by 2020, and to deliver 500 MW of community and locally-owned renewable energy by 2020. The plan outlines a commitment to develop strategies for microgeneration and agri-renewables, and pledges to work with investors to create a Green Equity Fund to support community renewable projects.
The Routemap builds on the 2009 Scottish Renewables Action Plan and identifies actions required to help Scotland meet the major challenges ahead including: costs and access to finance, grid capacity and charges, skills, innovation, supply chain and infrastructure.
The plan reinforces the need for the Scottish Government, UK Government and energy industry to continue to work together, urgently, to ensure Scotland retains its competitive advantage in renewables and secures inward investment and jobs.
“Renewable energy provides perhaps Scotland’s greatest economic and environmental opportunity this century. Our new Routemap sets out what we need to do collectively to write the next chapter in Scotland’s renewable energy story,” says Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.
“More than 40,000 jobs could be created in this rapidly expanding industry and some of the biggest names in energy have already chosen to expand their operations in Scotland, including Mitsubishi Power Systems, Gamesa and Dossan Babcock. It is essential we continue to move quickly to develop the necessary infrastructure and skills required to attract more international investment and green energy jobs to our communities.”