Heat policy statement launched by Scottish Government

Energy efficiency will be designated as a National Infrastructure Priority, according to The Scottish Government’s new Heat Policy Statement.

The policy, released today, has three aims: reducing the need for heat; supplying heat efficiently and at least cost to consumers; and using renewable and low carbon heat.

A key part of the plan will be an Energy Efficiency Programme, providing support for domestic and non-domestic buildings in Scotland for energy efficiency improvements.

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The Government aims to deliver 1.5 TWh of Scotland’s heat demand by district or communal heating by 2020.

Niall Stuart, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “We need to totally change the way we produce heat if we are going to get anywhere near our climate change targets, and that is going to be a long, difficult and complex transition.

“Heating is also the main element of our energy bills and the key driver of fuel poverty, so there are many ways in which change here can benefit the country. 

“It’s clear that Government is starting to focus on the huge challenges in this area, and on the many different technologies which will be required to start the shift to cleaner energy sources, with measures such as an additional £3 million of funding for the Home Renewables Loans scheme in 2015/16, and recently-announced support for geothermal energy feasibility studies.”

In March it launched the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, setting aside £76m over three years in support for established and start-up infrastructure projects, including in heat efficiency.

The report states that renewable heat generation in 2012 equated to three per cent of Scotland's non-electrical heat demand, up from one per cent in 2009 but still well short of the 11 per cent target set for 2020.

Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie said: "This updated statement from the Scottish Government admits that they are struggling to make progress towards the target of 11 per cent of heat from renewables by 2020. I'd urge ministers to go further on community and public ownership of renewables to speed things up, and to help communities generate their own revenue to invest in other low carbon measures."

Dr Sam Gardner, Head of Policy at WWF Scotland said: “Reducing our dependence on volatile fossil fuels to heat our homes is a huge opportunity to cut bills, lift people out of fuel poverty, enhance energy security and cut emissions.

“It’s good to see the Scottish Government prioritising energy efficiency as the ‘first fuel’ with its commitment to establish a National Infrastructure Priority. That commitment needs to be matched with clear goals, milestones and a strong funding package if it is to deliver the benefits it promises.

“Heating accounts for around 55 per cent of Scotland’s climate emissions but only 3 per cent of the heat we use is currently renewable. That’s why there needs to be a strong focus on renewable heat from the Scottish Government.

“The implementation of today’s statement needs to include a strong package of regulation and financial support if it’s to build confidence for consumers and investors alike.”