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Green Energy Day
07/09/2007
Scotland, for the first time, now has the ability to produce more green energy than nuclear power, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.
The generating capacity of installed renewables is now above that of Scotland's working nuclear power stations at Torness and Hunterston.
The news came as Mr Salmond visited Crystal Rig windfarm near Dunbar, where he opened an extension to the existing windfarm and marked the arrival of Green Energy Day.
Green Energy Day comes a day before the UK Government hosts a meeting in Glasgow on its proposals for new nuclear power stations.
Mr Salmond said:
"I want Scotland to become a global leader in green energy, at the forefront of the response to the challenge of climate change.
"Scotland has an abundance of clean renewable energy resources - wind, wave, offshore wind, tidal, biomass and biofuel. They will take their place along with initiatives in clean coal technology, in promoting microgeneration and energy conservation.
"Not only do we have the natural resources, we already have the know-how and the skills in Scotland. Today we have reached a tangible milestone in the journey Scotland has taken towards that clean, green future.
"In stark contrast, the UK government has already made up its mind to go for a new generation of nuclear power stations- only after carrying out a consultation it was forced into by the High Court.
"Scotland neither wants nor needs new nuclear power stations and I hope the people who attend the event in Glasgow will take the opportunity to make that view absolutely clear. As Green Energy Day demonstrates, we can have secure energy supplies without landing future generations of Scots with the burden of toxic radioactive waste."
The current installed capacity of our nuclear stations is 2465 MW. As of today the renewable installed capacity - comprised of hydro, wind, biomass and landfill gas- installed capacity is 2530 MW. The figure for renewable installed capacity will continue to grow as projects which have been consented are constructed and brought into operation.