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Bright future for renewable heat
05/11/2009
One of Scotland's biggest woodfuelled district heating schemes supplying low carbon energy to over 200 homes is among projects to benefit from government grants.
The Hill of Banchory scheme in Aberdeenshire is one of 16 projects to share in more than one million pounds of awards under the Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme.
The news comes as the Scottish Government today publishes a plan to drive further growth in renewable heating.
The Renewable Heat Action Plan will help Scotland meet its target of 11 per cent of heat coming from renewable sources by 2020, against current production of just 1.4 per cent.
Energy Minister Jim Mather said:
"Heating accounts for half of our energy use. Therefore, alongside better energy efficiency, it is important that we build a diverse renewable heat market across Scotland to significantly reduce our emissions.
"Focusing on biomass, on an industrial and commercial scale, will make the biggest impact on emissions reductions in the medium term. In urban areas there are tremendous opportunities for district heating schemes, while in rural areas off the gas grid, individual solutions such as biomass or heat pumps will be particularly important.
"The Biomass Heat Scheme is already helping business reduce emissions and potentially save money, while supporting jobs in forestry and the supply chains. There are huge areas for further growth, particularly in terms of the manufacture, installation and maintenance of renewable heating systems.
"The Action Plan sets out the ways we can work with partners to achieve a comprehensive delivery infrastructure and a supportive policy and regulatory framework to move towards a low carbon Scotland."
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham added: "Scotland's forestry and business sectors have already made significant strides forward in developing and adopting biomass - Forestry Commission Scotland estimates that the rate of industry uptake of biomass has at least doubled in the past year - and shows no sign of slowing.
"This is an excellent example of some of the positive steps we can take to tackle the impact of climate change and shows how innovation and a willingness to invest in the future can bring long-term economic benefits."
The Sustainable Development Commission Scotland delivered the background statistics for the Renewable Heat Action Plan, identifying Scotland's renewable heat potential.
SDC Scotland Vice Chair Jan Bebbington said: "There are significant challenges for Scotland in moving to low carbon heat. Many of the changes will come about through technical innovation, or regulatory changes that sit outside of devolved powers. Our background report recommends a number of actions the Scottish Government should initiate and we are pleased to see the Plan's level of support for renewable heat projects."
"SDC Scotland's research showed that an 11 per cent target is achievable with no fundamental changes to the way heat is currently used, or the way renewable fuels, in particular wood and waste streams, are produced and delivered. However, to deliver 80 per cent greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2050 will require a heat system where renewable heat is the dominant type."
Half of Scotland's heat use is in homes, industrial use accounts for 31 per cent and commercial and public use makes up the rest. Scotland currently produces 1.4 per cent of heat from renewables. Consented projects or those in planning could see this grow to nearly three per cent.
The Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme runs from April 2009 to March 2011 and is managed in partnership between Scottish Government and Forestry Commission Scotland. The Scheme aims to increase take-up of renewable heat use by SMEs, transform the Scottish woodfuel market, support rural economies and contribute to renewable energy targets.