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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Renewable energy report

30/06/2004

The Executive supports and promotes a wide range of renewable energy developments including tidal, wave, biomass and solar, Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said today.

Commenting on the report published today by the Enterprise and Culture Committee, entitled Renewable Energy in Scotland, Mr Macdonald said :

"I welcome the work of Committee and profile given to this extremely important area.

"We need a mix of renewable energy to enable us to meet our ambitious 40 per cent target of electricity generated in Scotland from renewable energy sources by 2020. This approach will also help make sure that Scotland makes the most of opportunities for new jobs and business.

"We have many initiatives underway. This includes the opening the European

marine test centre in Orkney by Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace later this summer. The Executive is the single largest funder of this exciting project.

"We also set up the Forum for Renewable Development in Scotland, chaired by myself, which is developing action plans for biomass, marine and other renewable industries.

"There is more wind energy development in Scotland at the moment because the technology is more advanced. We are confident we can meet our 18 per cent target of electricity from renewable sources by 2010 mainly through wind and hydro and expect other renewable energy developments to come forward in due course.

"I look forward to considering the Committee Report's conclusions - and we will respond formally in due course."

Page updated: Saturday, July 17, 2004