Campaigners call for 'ambitious' renewables target
Scotland should set a new ``ambitious'' target of generating half of its total electricity, heat and transport demand from renewables by 2030, according to campaigners.
Scotland should set a new ambitious'' target of generating half of its total electricity, heat and transport demand from renewables by 2030, according to campaigners.
It would require a threefold increase in current green energy generation, Scottish Renewables said as it launched a manifesto'' for political parties to adopt ahead of May's Holyrood election.
The Renewed Ambitions: Defining the Future of Renewable Energy in Scotland paper calls on the Scottish Government to expand community and local ownership of renewable energy projects, ensure good practice in the public sector and expand provision for low-carbon vehicles.
Sweden currently sources half of its energy from renewables, the group said.
Niall Stuart, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said: Scotland's ambitious climate change and 2020 renewable energy targets have signalled a clear intent for the country to lead the way in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Together, renewables now produce the equivalent of 15% of Scotland's energy use across electricity, heat and transport.
But with only four years to go, it is now time to look beyond 2020 and for Scotland to set a stretching target for renewables to produce the equivalent of at least 50% of all energy use across electricity, heat and transport by 2030.
That may seem ambitious but we will be more than halfway there by the end of this decade and Sweden - the European leader - already sources half of all energy from renewables today.
Achieving this new target will require strategic leadership from the next Scottish Government.
The development of a comprehensive and joined-up energy strategy will allow the sector to maintain its competitiveness as well as spearheading the development and deployment of new technologies.''
Mr Stuart added: There are an increasing number of communities interested in building their own projects or taking a stake in commercial developments.
We are keen to build on that and ensure the benefits of renewable energy are shared as widely as possible.
One way we could achieve this is through the creation of a Scottish Renewable Energy Bond which would allow savers across Scotland to invest in the growth of the renewables industry while also generating a return on their investment.''
Patrick Harvie, co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said: Scotland can have jobs for the future if we prioritise support not just for renewables but for low-carbon transport and housing, and oil and gas decommissioning.
The Scottish Government's more-of-everything approach to energy has muddied the waters, with the anti-Green agenda of the UK Government adding to the confusion.
Scottish Renewables are right to highlight the need for support for indigenous manufacturing and R&D.
Scottish Greens have long advocated a managed transition away from oil and gas, so we seize the opportunity of our renewables and energy efficiency potential, and refocus skills and investment towards these sectors to sustain our economy.''
Scottish Liberal Democrat energy spokesman Liam McArthur supported Scottish Renewables' call.
He said: Scottish Liberal Democrats are proud of our track record in delivering for renewables in government, both here in Scotland and at a UK level.
Achieving a target of 50% energy generation from renewables by 2030 will be challenging, but it is within our grasp and the right thing to do to meet our climate change objectives.
Heat and transport will have to play a far more prominent part, but we have the skills, companies and research base, as well as the natural resources, to deliver.''