Renewable electricity capacity up by 10%
SCOTLAND’S capacity for renewable electricity generation grew by 10% in 2023, driven by onshore and offshore wind. However the amount generated fell by 7% compared to the previous year, largely due to less favourable weather conditions in the first half of 2023.
The latest Energy Statistics for Scotland publication shows there was 15.3 GW of renewable electricity capacity in 2023, compared to 13.9 GW in 2022.
At the end of December, there were 517 renewable electricity projects with an estimated capacity of 25.9 GW in the planning pipeline.
Renewable energy generation was at 33.2 TWh down from the 35.7 TWh generated in 2022, which was a record year.
Energy Minister Gillian Martin it’s not for the Scottish Government to intervene directly into this dispute, I would absolutely urge STV to get round the table with their employees and the union to try and ensure a satisfactory outcome can be reached.”
He said that this should happen “immediately” and would enable “a fair pay settlement for STV employees”.
Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ national organiser, said: “The First Minister’s intervention is welcome and it shows the importance of this dispute and the importance of STV said: “A 10% increase in capacity and net exports worth an estimated £1.5 billion show that the Scottish Government’s focus on growing the green economy is paying off.
“We will ensure Scotland continues to capitalise in a sustainable way on its natural resources to underpin the just transition to net zero, provide coming back to the table with a sensible offer.”
A spokesperson for STV said: “We’ve continued to engage with the NUJ, but their claim for an above-inflation pay increase of 6% is unrealistic and unaffordable.
“In this current economic climate, the offer made is both fair and financially responsible and is already being paid to over 85% of our colleagues across the rest of the business, including news colleagues in the Bectu union who voted to accept the award.” jobs, benefit communities and support economic growth.
“To help Scotland reap the economic benefits of this expansion in renewables, we are allocating £66.9 million in 2024-25 to kickstart our commitment to invest £500 million over the next five years in Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain.”
Mark Ruskell, the Scottish Greens’ climate spokesperson, said: “This is a really big step forward for green industries and our environment.
“It is a tribute to the great work being done all across our country.
“Clean, green and renewable energy is the safest, cheapest and best there is, and is right at the heart of our vision for a fairer, greener Scotland.
“We have a huge abundance of natural resources and a vast renewable potential that any country would envy, and the Scottish Greens are using our influence in government to ensure we use it.”