Why Scotland?

Overview

"We cannot meet our aspirations of renewable energy generation by onshore wind alone. Opening up Scotland's seas, even in the deep and difficult waters of the North Sea, will genuinely make us world leaders in renewable energy - just as we are among the world's leading oil and gas producers.

"We have set ourselves the target of generating 40 per cent of Scottish electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. We are also committed to supporting our oil and gas industries sustain their current global success through diversification and extending the life of our North Sea oil and gas reserves.

"This announcement represents a big step towards meeting these goals. Offshore wind has the potential to provide a significant proportion of Scotland's energy needs. Between them, Talisman and Scottish and Southern Energy have the world class expertise needed to develop the new technology, and Aberdeen's position as the energy capital of Europe means the city has the skilled workforce needed to exploit this new form of energy.

"And this new technology could have significant export potential, as well as create hundreds of new jobs in the North. This announcement is good news for Aberdeen, good news for Scotland and good news for the environment.

"We want nothing less than a world beating renewable energy industry. This work by Talisman and SSE, supported by us and by the Department for Trade and Industry, will make that aspiration closer than ever before."

Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell as he announced a research grant of up to £194,000 for offshore oil operator Talisman and its research partner Scottish and Southern Energy for the world's first deep water offshore windfarm on 28 August 2004.
 

Scottish residents approve windfarms

"The vast majority of people who live near windfarms think they have caused no environmental problems, according to a comprehensive new opinion poll released by the Scottish Executive. Three times as many people say a windfarm has had a positive impact on their area as say it has had a negative impact. And the closer they live to the wind machines, the more positive they think their impact has been." Rob Edwards, Sunday Herald 24 July 2004 - the people questioned lived within 20km of Scotland's 10 largest windfarms
 

Renewables = jobs

"The Executive is committed to exploiting Scotland's renewables potential to the full. A thriving renewables industry has the potential to enhance Scotland's manufacturing capacity, and provide significant job opportunities." Scotland's Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace on opening Cambrian Engineering's new wind turbine tower manufacturing plant on the Isle of Lewis, 20 August 2004
 

What the Minister said

Here's what Scottish Executive Minister Ross Finnie MSP said at the 2005 show and what Nicol Stephen MSP said in 2006.
 

Scotland: The new renewables powerhouse of Europe?

"For years now, the UK has been the enigma of European renewables - endowed with massive resources, but languishing at the bottome of the implementation table. But with much power now devolved to Edinburgh, Scottish politicians seem intent to capitalize on the opportunities, capturing the economic benefits and leading the way for others south of the border."
Renewable Energy World, September-October 2003
 

Scotland aims for 40% of electricity from renewables by 2020

"Scotland is blessed with a huge renewable energy resource, amounting to a staggering 75% of the entire UK installed generation capacity ... Our largest companies have already announced investment plans exceeding £1 billion for renewable energy development over the next decade. The market is demonstrably there and set to increase. There are also marvellous economic opportunities to be grasped..."
Extract from a letter by Ross Finnie MSP, Minister for Environment & Rural Development, August 2002 accompanying the consultation paper: 'Scotland's Renewable Energy Potential - Beyond 2010'