The Scottish government is blaming Westminster after a report suggested it will be impossible to meet its target of 100% renewable energy usage by 2020 without further investment.
Industry body, Scottish Renewables has predicted that only the equivalent of 87% will be reached by 2020. Its study found that 33,122GWh of energy will be generated from renewable sources by 2020 but that demand was likely to be for 38,256GWh.
Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing criticised UK ministers for fostering uncertainty in the industry.
He said: “Recent announcements by the UK Government represent an attack on the renewables sector, creating huge uncertainty for investors, developers and communities, and undermining Scotland’s ability to fulfil its renewable energy potential.
“Our renewables targets are ambitious and challenging and I am pleased we have seen almost half of our electricity demand coming from renewable sources in 2014.
“However, I share Scottish Renewables’ concerns that the damaging and premature cuts to support for renewable energy being driven through by the UK Government will hamper future progress.”
Image: Fergus Ewing (Scottish government)
Ewing blames Westminster
Scottish Renewables says 2020 target impossible without further investment
By EBS