Scottish Government Energy Strategy launched

06 February 2017

Anne Thomas, convenor of TBI's Energy Group, has drawn attention to a press release from Friends of the Earth Scotland welcoming the launch last week of the Scottish Government's Energy Strategy to 2050 by Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse.

Friends of the Earth Scotland Director Dr Richard Dixon said

"This Energy Strategy is very welcome, with a strong ambition of transforming electricity, heating and transport. With 50% of all energy to come from renewables by 2030 and 100% of our electricity well before then this plan sets us firmly on course to becoming one of the leading low-carbon nations in the world. We will need to do even more if we are to make our fair contribution to halting climate change."

In his foreword to the Strategy document Paul Wheelhouse writes

"The choices we make about energy are among the most important decisions we face.  The supply of safe, reliable energy underpins the continued growth of the Scottish economy and delivery of key services. Our energy industry provides high quality jobs and a vibrant climate for innovation. Affordable energy provision is a prerequisite for healthy, fulfilling living and productive, competitive business."

You can read the full text of the Energy Strategy document here.

Friends of the Earth Scotland also draw attention to a report  'Energy of Scotland', mapping out the path to 50% renewable energy for electricity, heating and transport by 2030.  The report was published last year and jointly commissioned by FoE Scotland, RSPB Scotland and WWF Scotland.

You can read the full 'Energy of Scotland' report, and a consultants' analysis of Scotland's energy needs on which it was based,  here.