Ahead of the Scottish government’s draft budget for 2024/25, Scottish Renewables is calling for infrastructure, investment and innovation to be at the heart of plans to secure a world class clean energy system for the country.
In a letter to Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Scottish Renewables has outlined how Holyrood can secure global competitiveness and unlock the socio-economic opportunity of renewable energy across the nation.
The submission sets out that new electricity transmission infrastructure and investment in strategic ports and skills are early foundations for economic growth.
Other opportunities lie in the decarbonisation of heat and in maximising Scotland’s green hydrogen potential.
Increasing the capacity and effectiveness of the country’s planning departments will help secure a more robust pipeline of projects and investment in onshore and offshore wind, and these must be priorities for Holyrood.
“Scotland’s early mover advantage as a global leader in renewable energy is increasingly under threat from international competition for the supply chains, financing and skilled workers needed to build a net-zero economy,” said chief executive of Scottish Renewables Claire Mack (pictured).
“To build on the progress we have made so far in taking advantage of our world class clean power potential it is vital that the Scottish Government takes decisive action now to encourage long-term investor confidence and sustainable growth in Scotland’s renewable energy industry,” she added.
“To fully unlock the cleaner, cheaper and greener future we all aspire to, the Scottish government’s budget must include clear ambitions for renewable energy and place infrastructure, investment and innovation at the heart of its plans.”