Renewables now biggest power creator
● Renewables provided 59.4% of total electricity demand in 2015
Renewables provided nearly 60 per cent of Scotland’s electricity consumption last year, according to new official figures.
This means the 2015 target for 50 per cent of electricity generation to come from renewable sources has been met and exceeded. It also shows renewables have now become the biggest electricity generator, ahead of nuclear and fossil fuels.
Energy from the likes of hydro, wind and solar has risen by 14 per cent in the past year.
Renewables provided nearly 60 per cent of Scotland’s electricity consumption last year, according to new official figures from the UK government.
This means the 2015 target for 50 per cent of electricity generation to come from renewable sources has been met and exceeded.
It also shows renewables have now become the biggest electricity generator, ahead of nuclear at nearly 35 per cent and fossil fuels at 22 per cent.
The figures, from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, show energy from the likes of hydro, wind and solar has risen by 14 per cent in the past year.
The sector is now the single largest contributor to electricity generation north of the border, providing a record 42 per cent of total output.
Scotland continued to be a net exporter of electricity, exporting 29 per cent of all electricity generation in 2015.
Power generated here made up approximately 26 per cent of the total UK renewable output in 2015.
While gas dominated the generation mix in England and Northern Ireland, in Scotland renewables had the largest share at 42 per cent – double the proportion in the other UK nations. In Wales coal had the largest share at 33 per cent.
Scotland aims to deliver the equivalent of 100 per cent of its electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020.
The latest figures were welcomed by Scottish leaders and industry bosses, but they hit out at Westminster’s stance on renewables.
Business and energy minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Despite damaging policy changes from the UK government, which we continue to seek to have reviewed, we will continue to harness – and bolster – Scotland’s renewables potential, both in generation and infrastructure.”
Jenny Hogan, director of policy at industry body Scottish Renewables, added: “Scotland is exporting a record proportion of its electricity generation to the rest of the UK.
“However, future progress is hugely uncertain, with largescale onshore wind, solar and hydro power all locked out of government schemes to support investment in new electricity generation capacity.”
As anyone who has braced the high street in recent days to pick up lastminute Christmas gifts will attest, Scotland is no stranger to strong winds – but increasingly, the country is harnessing the elements to its advantage.
New figures released yesterday showing how the country exceeded its renewable energy target for 2015 are to be welcomed.
The data revealed that some 59.4 per cent of Scotland’s gross electricity consumption came from renewable sources, a significant spike on the 50 per cent target.
With the renewables sector employing tens of thousands of people, news of its continuing success is a boon for the economy as well as the environment.
The question now, however, is how does the sector and the country as a whole continue to make progress? There is an ambitious target to deliver the equivalent of 100 per cent of Scotland’s electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020. While the latest figures offer encouragement in that regard, there is also a need for pragmatism.
Supporters of renewables have yet to give a convincing answer to the question of how to supply Scotland’s base load. As things stand, that capacity is met by nuclear and fossil fuels. Unless there is a change, costly imports will play an increasingly prominent role in that mix in order to secure security of supply.
The mix of our power sources is delicate and forever changing, but the issue of base load or back up capacity is not going to go away any time soon. While the commendable work that has been done to cement Scotland’s reputation as a leader in green energy should continue, there is clearly a need to look at the bigger picture.