Reforms are needed to Scotland’s planning process to deliver at least 12GW of additional onshore wind and 11GW of offshore wind by 2030, according to a new report from Scottish Renewables.
It is one of five key recommendations contained in “Beyond COP26: Next steps for Scotland’s clean energy revolution”, launched on COP26’s Energy Day, to “accelerate the pace of the transition” to a net zero society and advance Scotland’s position as a “world leader in low-carbon energy”.
The other recommendations include heating 45% of homes and 25% of commercial, industrial and public buildings from renewable sources by 2030 and creating a wave and tidal support mechanism to work alongside the UK Government’s revenue stabilisation mechanism.
Scottish Renewables CEO Claire Mack (pictured) said: “The recommendations set out in this publication outline ways in which our renewable energy industry could continue to grow and support Scotland’s economy and climate ambitions.
“With our offshore wind aspiration set at 11GW, and the potential of an additional 12GW of onshore wind by 2030, Scotland needs a planning system which meets our ambitions.
“All future developments and ambitions need to be guided by net zero and the climate emergency.”
She added that continuing the development of marine energy projects will play a “key role” in achieving net zero islands and coastal communities which are generally using high carbon fuel sources for heat and transport and are impacted by limited grid capacity.
“The deployment of these technologies presents an attractive global export opportunity for Scotland’s renewable energy sector, and we believe the government should establish a target for the export of energy skills and services and set our global ambition for how we can help lead nations around the world on their net zero journeys,” added Mack.