Scotland urgently needs more pylons, power lines and substations to cut energy bills, create energy security and tackle climate change, according to a new report.
The Scottish Renewables report Why investing in electricity transmission infrastructure is a priority for Scotland points out that a net-zero future which delivers cheap, reliable, clean power, jobs and a thriving economy for future generations is going to look different.
The current electricity network was designed for fossil fuels almost a century ago.
But as the latest report from Scottish Renewables argues it is now holding back the clean power projects needed to modernise the UK’s energy supply.
Nick Sharpe, director of communications and strategy at Scottish Renewables, said: “The UK’s electricity network is not fit for purpose.
“While the deployment of cheap renewable energy generation has increased fourfold over the past ten years, investment in Britain’s transmission grid has flatlined, and has even decreased since 2017.
“Electricity demand is set to increase by 50% in the next decade and double by mid-century so it’s therefore wrong to say that Scottish households don’t need more power lines, pylons and substations, we need them to keep our homes warm and ensure the lights stay on.
“Groups and individuals who object to the construction of power lines, pylons and substations largely do so because they do not like the way they look.
“By the end of this year, there will be just over 70 months left to achieve our targets of 11GW offshore and 12GW onshore wind.
“To ensure we maximise the enormous socioeconomic benefits this will bring to local communities, we will need a grid fit for the 21st century.”