Scottish Government Provides Guidance For Wind Planning Applications

The Scottish Government has launched guidance designed to make planning applications for wind energy developments run more smoothly for developers, planning authorities and the communities affected. The guidance is a result of the GP Wind Project, a Scottish-Government led EU project which looked at the barriers to development of wind energy and ways of reconciling … Read more

Consent For Scotland’s First Near Shore Commercial Wave Power Array

Scotland’s first near shore commercial wave power array, which will power more than 1,000 homes, has been approved by the Scottish Government. Two new Oyster wave energy converters will be added to an existing device at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) at Billia Croo, Orkney, to allow operators Aquamarine Power to test the devices … Read more

ScottishPower Renewables to Develop World’s First Tidal Power Arrray

ScottishPower Renewables is planning to develop a 10MW tidal power array in The Sound of Islay on Scotland’s west coast. The project, the first of its kind in the world, envisages generating enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of the whole island. It is also the first tidal array project to be approved by … Read more

Scotland Looks to Capture Carbon Storage Potential

Scotland can realise the employment, economic and environmental benefits of carbon storage. A consortium of Scottish Government, industry and researchers has shown that rocks deep beneath the Moray Firth are capable of storing decades of CO2 output from Scotland’s power stations. This emerging Carbon Capture and Storage {CCS} industry could create at least 13,000 new … Read more

£70 Million Boost to Build Scotland’s Offshore Green Economy

A £70 million investment fund to secure Scotland’s place at the forefront of the global offshore wind industry has been announced by the Scottish Government. The National Renewables Infrastructure Fund – to strengthen port and manufacturing facilities and supply chain provision for manufacturing offshore wind turbines and related components – will leverage significant private sector … Read more

New Opportunities For Wave and Tidal Developers in Scotland

The Crown Estate, which owns the seabed around the UK, has announced plans to offer further leases for wave and tidal energy projects in Scottish waters, in connection with the Scottish Government’s Saltire Prize. It has also detailed its approach for companies to apply for demonstration project leases for sites around the UK. In Scotland, … Read more

Scotland’s Renewable Energy Target Raised to 80%

Scotland’s renewable electricity target for the next decade is being raised from 50% to 80%. First Minister Alex Salmond has confirmed the Scottish Government’s increased national target – now 80% of Scottish electricity consumption to come from renewables by 2020 – ahead of a major international conference – Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference – next … Read more