The Scottish government must “grasp its opportunity” with a “bold vision” to transform the energy sector, according to a panel of experts.
The Future Energy Taskforce, brought together by charity WWF, said targets, incentives and regulation should all be used to help decarbonise the sector and hit climate change targets.
Calls for change come ahead of planned publication later this week of Scotland’s draft Energy Strategy. It will cover electricity, transport and heat.
“This new energy strategy is an excellent opportunity for the Scottish Government to assert overall leadership and control over the nation’s energy future. Decisions will need to be made, and ‘low regrets’ options like energy efficiency taken forward now, rather than waiting for silver bullets in the future,” said taskforce chair Keith MacLean.
“A major task like decarbonising the energy system will not be achieved on a piecemeal and incremental basis, nor without an integrated long-term plan,” he added.
Trade body Scottish Renewables welcomed the recommendations and said: “The Scottish government’s upcoming energy strategy gives us a chance to grasp the huge benefits of a truly low-carbon, joined-up energy system and raise the game in heat and transport, where the process of cutting carbon has been slower to date than in the electricity sector. This requires leadership and ambition from government, industry and the public.”
The draft Energy Strategy is expected to outline new targets for renewables in all major sectors; support onshore wind, district heating and carbon capture and storage; and “explore” the role of a new government-owned energy company, among other policies.
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Image: Scotland Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse visiting Orkney (Scotrenewables)
Scots need ‘braveheart’ power plan
Experts say targets, incentives, regulation can help meet policy goals
By EBS