Scotland ‘will not hit 100 per cent renewable target’

Scotland will miss the Scottish Government’s target of having 100 per cent of its energy produced by renewables by 2020, according to a new report by Scottish Renewables.

The study shows the country is on track to generate 87 per cent of its annual demand for energy from renewable sources due to a lack of support by the UK Government.

The 2020 target, set by former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2011, is not legally binding.

RELATED CONTENT

Nicola Sturgeon pledges help after Aquamarine Power calls in administrators

Scotland meets community renewable ownership target five years ahead of schedule

Tory energy policy is 'grotesquely incoherent', says former Special Representative for Climate Change

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables said the target had provided a “powerful focus” for industry and enterprise, but the postponement of an auction for contracts this autumn by UK ministers had dealt a blow to investor confidence.

“If we don’t start the process by next spring, the delay could fatally undermine the timeline for the projects on Scotland’s main island groups, ending prospects for major developments on the Western Isles and Shetland.  It would also raise serious questions about whether the proposed offshore wind projects can make the 2020 deadline.

“Essentially it is this simple – if we get an allocation round next spring and enough Scottish projects are successful we can still hit the target,” he said.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said he shared the concerns.

“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,” he said.

Scottish Greens MSP Patrick Harvie said the report illustrated the “anti-green” approach of the UK Government, and called for the Scottish Government to step in.

"The opportunity Scotland has to become a clean technology leader, end fuel poverty and create thousands of construction jobs must be seized and we should expect bold funding commitments from the SNP Government in the draft budget next month," he said.

The renewables sector now employs around 21,000 people in Scotland and delivers around £1billion pounds of capital investment every year.