Holyrood to map energy future

The Scottish government has committed to publishing a new energy strategy this winter alongside a fresh climate change plan.

Holyrood said in its 2016-17 plan for government that the new documents will pave the way to an 80% emissions cut between 1990 and 2050.

The plan said the ambition represents “a bold statement of the government’s priorities for the coming decades”. Proposals for a Climate Change Bill will follow in early 2017.

The energy strategy itself will commit to “reducing energy demand and supplying clean energy from renewable sources”.

Goals being targetted include “a route to market” for onshore wind and support for offshore, despite “legal challenges” to a number of projects.

Holyrood also promised £10m to support community energy schemes and said it would consult on plans for a Scottish Green Energy Bond and a possible government-owned energy company.

A total of £4m will be spent on a transition training fund to help oil workers retrain in other sectors including renewables.

The programme for government also includes an Islands Bill which could transfer powers over seabed leases to local authorities, as well as a Referendum Bill that will pave the way “should the Scottish government conclude . . . that independence is the best or only way to protect Scotland’s interests in the wake of the EU referendum”.

Image: Scottish Parliament