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ABERDEEN, Scotland, May 31, 2006 (Refocus
Weekly)
The Scottish Executive will invest another £20
million to support the Clean Energy Strategy.
“I want to Scotland to become the renewable energy powerhouse of
Europe,” says deputy first minister Nicol Stephen. “To achieve this,
we need to harness the great diversity of resource we have: the
wind, the waves, the tides and the forests that make Scotland's
renewable potential the envy of the world.”
Investing in a diverse range of renewables would help not only to
tackle climate change, but to have a positive effect on Scotland's
economic potential, and his announcement to a renewables conference
included an allocation of £20 million to be spent over the next two
years, an environmental study to help the development of off-shore
wind projects, and specific financial support for biomass, hydrogen,
marine and micro-renewables.
"In the last three years, we have invested around £100 million in
renewables and energy efficiency support; this has had a big,
positive impact but the time is right to pick up the pace,” he
explained. "Wind energy is already making a significant contribution
in Scotland; it has helped add consent for a massive 1,500 MW of
renewable energy capacity in the past three years, a big step
forward towards meeting and exceeding our 2010 and 2020 targets.”
The Scottish Executive is committed to 18% of electricity to come
from green power sources by 2010, rising to 40% by 2020.
"We are determined to not only meet but exceed our renewable energy
and carbon reduction targets,” he explained. “The actions I am
announcing today will help us make real progress. So too will energy
efficiency measures, where we will spend at least £35 million over
the next three years.”
"Renewable energy development can also bring enormous economic
rewards,” says Stephen. “Developing domestic and global markets for
wave and tidal power could be worth billions of pounds over the
coming years.”
Scotland is “determined to fulfil our massive potential for marine
energy,” and has already pledged support for the Pelamis and
Talisman projects. It has invested in the marine testing facility on
Orkney and the latest announcement includes £8 million for further
developments.
“We have already seen wave generation machines being made in
Scotland and exported across Europe,” he explained. “By offering
increased support to the sector and driving down the costs of
production, we can help ensure that Scotland receives more than its
fair share of that international market.”
Interest in offshore wind development is increasing, and Stephen
announced the intention to conduct a strategic environmental
assessment, which will provide “vital extra support to this sector.”
Biomass has real potential and could provide “significant levels of
affordable heat and power for remote and rural communities,
supporting the creation of 2,000 jobs.”
Biomass development will receive an extra £7.5 million over the next
two years, while £1.5 million will support development of hydrogen
and fuel cells. Last week, Stephen announced an extra £3 million to
support micro-renewables, expanding support to £16 million in six
years.
"Be in no doubt about my desire to see this country become a
renewable giant,” he concluded. “Our priorities are now clear; let's
deliver a renewable future for Scotland."
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