The UK Government could deliver a world-leading renewable energy system if the £500m already allocated to innovation in the sector is spent correctly.
Scottish Renewables has published a new research paper today which has identified six innovation areas it wants the UK Government to focus on.
The areas identified are wave and tidal, storage, floating offshore wind, low carbon heat, systems integration and flexible networks.
On floating offshore wind, Scottish Renewables says targeted investment could “cement” the advantage already established by the UK in the sector.
Scottish Renewables’ Policy Officer Hannah Smith said: “The UK Government’s commitment to double the spend on energy innovation to £500 million over five years has the potential to drive dramatic advances in our energy system.
“Scottish Renewables’ new paper highlights the importance of the strategic allocation of these funds, and identifies six technology areas that have real potential to benefit from this funding, propelling British business to the forefront of a truly world-leading, next-generation energy system.”
Smith added: “Our renewable energy industry has come a long way since the first hydropower and wind projects of the 19th Century, due in no small part to the impressive list of technical and engineering innovations coming out of the UK.
“We welcome the Chancellor’s recent commitment to continue this by doubling DECC’s innovation programme budget. We believe developing an Energy Innovation Strategy to guide this investment would get the most out of every pound spent.”
Image: FreeImages
Scots seek £500m UK plan
World-leading renewable energy system possible if funding spent correctly
By EBS