Ambitious energy strategy announced

‘ACCELERATED decarbonisation’ of domestic industry, transport and heat in buildings has been identified as a key target in a route map to “secure Scotland’s fastest possible fair and just transition away from fossil fuels”.

The Scottish Government document – currently in draft form and out for consultation, here, until April 4 – also envisages representation from the UK Government on an ‘energy transition delivery group’.

A wide range of ambitions have been identified, here:

• substantially increasing the current level of 13.4 gigawatts (GW) of renewable electricity generation capacity, with an additional 20 GW by 2030, which could produce the equivalent of nearly 50 per cent of current demand;
• an ambition for five GW of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen power by 2030, and 25 GW by 2045;
• increasing contributions of solar, hydro power and marine energy to the energy mix;
• generation of surplus electricity enabling export of electricity and renewable hydrogen to support decarbonisation across Europe;
• setting out final policy positions on fossil fuel energy, including consulting on a presumption against new exploration for North Sea oil and gas;
• accelerated decarbonisation of domestic industry, transport and heat in buildings;
• increasing access to affordable energy by urging the UK Government to take stronger, more targeted action for fair energy market reform; and
• maximising household, business and community benefit from energy projects, including through shared ownership of renewables.

The strategy expects there to be a skills and jobs dividend, were it to be implemented.

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland

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