Renewable industry priorities outlined ahead of Programme for Government

Renewable technologies like wind, solar, hydro and more now provide the equivalent of 97.4% of the electricity consumed in Scotland.

Slow progress has been made on low-carbon heat and transport, however, with these two areas responsible for around three-quarters of Scotland’s energy use.

Scottish Renewables represents around 260 member organisations working in renewable energy.

Some of the body’s priorities for the upcoming Programme for Government are:

• To ensure renewable energy can play its full role in tackling the climate emergency and protecting our environment, Scotland must have a planning system which is fit for our net-zero future and capable of delivering the ambitions detailed in the recent cooperation agreement
• The renewable energy industry should be supported to deliver on its enormous potential to create new jobs, drive investment and deliver a Scottish green recovery
• Decarbonising the heat supply of Scotland’s homes and buildings, which will create significant public health, social and economic benefits for all our communities; city, town, island and rural.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “These recommendations, along with those made in our manifesto for May’s Scottish Parliament election, set out ways in which our industry could grow and support Scotland’s economy and climate change targets.

“With huge ambition to scale up wind power, opportunities to grasp our first-mover advantage in decarbonisation on the global stage and with the world’s eyes turning to Glasgow for the crucial COP climate event in November, now is the time for The Scottish Government to set the stage for the continued growth which renewable energy can deliver for Scotland.”

More information on Scottish Renewables’ priorities for The Scottish Government can be found in the organisation’s manifesto, A Brighter Future: Priorities for the next Scottish Government.