Scots ‘can meet 50% green goal’

Scotland can deliver half its electricity, heat and transport from renewables by 2030, according to a new report by consultancy Ricardo Energy and Environment.

The report – ‘The Energy of Scotland: Heating, moving and powering our lives from now to 2030′ – was commissioned by WWF Scotland, Friends of the Earth Scotland and RSPB Scotland and sets out how Scotland’s climate targets could be met in the most cost effective way.

It found that to do so, 50% of all the country’s energy will need to come from renewables by the end of next decade.

The report also sets out several actions that the Scottish government could take to reach the target by 2030.

For example, Scotland’s electricity will be, almost entirely, generated from renewables, with excess generation exported to its neighbours.

Two-fifths of Scotland’s homes will be heated from renewable sources, with a Warm Homes Act helping ensure access to cleaner, more affordable heat.

A national energy efficiency programme would need to be set up and one in three cars, and half of all buses, will need to be electric, in line with the long-term need to phase out fossil-fuel vehicles entirely, the report said.

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “This report shows that a 50% renewables target for all our energy needs by 2030 is not only needed, but that it is achievable. 

“Ministers should now make this a Scottish government target and bring in the policies needed in its forthcoming energy strategy.”

Scottish Renewables chief executive Niall Stuart said: “This report echoes Scottish Renewables’ call for a new 50% renewable energy target and, importantly, concludes that this is both achievable and key to meeting our climate change targets.

“A new energy strategy with an ambitious new target would ensure that renewables can play a key role in meeting Scotland’s climate change targets and maximise the jobs and investment that our sector can bring to Scotland.”

Image: Harestanes wind farm in Scotland (Iberdrola)