SSE plan for Scotland’s energy future

Leading Perth-based energy firm SSE has submitted proposals for Scotland’s Energy Future.

It has made six recommendations to inform the Scottish Government’s emerging energy strategy to “optimise Scotland’s significant energy resources and expertise, de-carbonise its energy system and put communities at the heart of new investment”.

SSE employs around 7,000 people in Scotland and supports a further 10,000 jobs through its business operations.

Having contributed more than £7 billion to the Scottish economy over the past five years, it plans to invest a further £6bn in the years to 2020.

A significant proportion of its investment programme is allocated to largescale Scottish infrastructure projects including the Caithness–Moray electricity transmission line, onshore windfarm projects across Scotland and the 588 MW Beatrice offshore windfarm in the Moray Firth.

Maintaining a GB-wide energy market is central to SSE’s position on the future of energy in Scotland. The strategy paper also calls for: Heat use in Scotland to be decarbonised by increasing the use of district heating systems;

The stock of electric storage heaters be improved to aid in the decarbonisation of heat;

The success of onshore wind in Scotland to be developed through repowering and extending existing sites;

Maximising opportunities in largescale pumped storage projects;

Supporting community investment and ownership in energy projects; and

Helping to tackle household fuel poverty through improved energy efficiency measures.

SSE wants the Scottish Government’s new energy strategy to help Scotland to maximise benefits from innovation, cost reductions and new technologies.

SSE’s proposals support the Scottish Government and devise a strategy that optimises energy resources, de-carbonises Scotland’s energy system and puts customers at the heart of new investment.

It says the Scottish Government’s strategy needs to be robust if it is to plot an energy course for Scotland to 2050.

The £3 billion Beatrice windfarm project in the Moray Firth.