This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Future of renewable energy mapped out
22/07/2005
Renewable energy targets are to be expressed in terms of
installed capacity in order to be better quantified and
more widely understood, it was announced today.
Minister for Enterprise Nicol Stephen said:
"We are committed to promoting the increased use of
Scotland's renewable energy resources. We recognise the
ability of renewables to tackle causes of climate change as
well as their potential to support economic growth.
"Our strategy for renewable energy '
Securing a Renewable Future: Scotland's Renewable
Energy' built on the Executive's previous target that
18% of electricity generated in Scotland should come from
renewable sources by 2010, raising our aim to 40%
renewables by 2020.
"Renewable energy projects already in operation and so
far consented to, should together allow us to meet the 2010
target.
"The Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland
(
FREDS), which I chair, has recommended that the 40%
target should now be expressed in terms of installed
capacity and related to Scottish electricity demand rather
than generation. FREDS' assessment is that a total of 3.4GW
of additional renewables projects beyond those already
built and consented, would be required to meet that 40%
target, now expressed as a total of 6GW.
"We propose to accept and act upon this recommendation
and will monitor progress against the 6GW target. We have
also accepted the findings of FREDS' reports on developing
Scotland's biomass and marine energy potential. Action to
implement their recommendations is underway.
"Ministers see a particular opportunity in the shorter
term to encourage the development of biomass plants which
use Scotland's wood fuel resource.
"FREDS also considers that many of the current proposals
for onshore wind development are speculative and are likely
to drop out of the system. The Executive agrees this view
and does not expect anything like all of the current volume
of developer interest in onshore wind to be consented.
"We have made clear our aim to see Scotland's renewable
electricity generation targets being met through the
development of a range of technologies and we will bring
forward detailed proposals in order to achieve that
aim."
The June 2005 Planning White Paper confirms the
Executive's commitment to review its planning policies for
renewable energy development. This review will consider how
the planning system can best ensure that the Executive's
renewable energy targets can continue to be delivered in a
way that recognises other local and environmental
considerations.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Our policy on renewable energy developments is
contained in
National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 6. It accepts
that not every location will be suitable and that
developments should not be permitted where they will have a
significant long term detrimental impact on the amenity of
people living nearby.
"It also seeks to ensure that we meet our international
and national statutory obligations to protect designated
areas, species and habitats of natural interest, and the
historic environment.
"We believe that NPPG 6 continues to provide a fair and
robust framework for renewable energy developments.
However, we are starting a review of NPPG 6 and as part of
the review will consider the need for a national spatial
framework or regional targets for wind farms. We will
continue to use the Environmental Advisory Forum for
Renewable Energy to help shape planning policy.
"Cumulative impact can already be taken into account
when considering wind farm applications. As more proposals
for wind farms come forward we expect increased
significance to be attached to the consideration of
cumulative impact. Further guidance on cumulative impact
will be provided in the review of NPPG 6, the process for
which will be underpinned by strategic environmental
assessment and a public consultation."
Securing a Renewable Future: Scotland's Renewable Energy
sets a target to generate 40% of Scotland's electricity
from renewable sources by 2020. This document is available
at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/environment/srfe-00.asp
FREDS is tasked with promoting and encouraging the
renewable energy sector and helping Scotland realise its
potential as a world leader in the industry. FREDS papers
are available at
www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/infrastructure/19185/17613.
NPPG 6 sets out the considerations that should be taken
into account when considering proposals for renewable
energy developments. It is available at:
www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/planning/nppg/nppg6-00.asp.