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First Minister to open Scottish Renewables' Annual Conference

16/03/18 | News release

The future of Scotland’s £5.5 billion-a-year renewable energy industry is up for debate at Scottish Renewables’ Annual Conference later this month (March 26-7).

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will take to the podium on day one to set out her commitment to green energy.

Day two will explore the Scottish and UK policy landscapes and ask what needs to be done to ensure renewables continue to deliver affordable, competitive and inclusive clean energy.

Second day delegates will also be treated to a guest lecture from Scrapheap Challenge frontman Robert Llewellyn, who will talk about his two-year campaign to persuade residents of his idyllic Cotswolds village to generate their own power from renewable sources. His efforts were recently captured in a BBC Four documentary series ‘The Great Village Green Crusade’.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

“If there's one thing that can be said of Scotland's renewable energy industry, it's that it's never dull. As usual, the sector has had another year of highs and lows.

“There have been successes for offshore renewables – notably that Scottish offshore wind is finally starting to take off, as well as record after record in the tidal energy sector, and continued growth in renewable heat.

“Onshore, large wind and solar PV remain without a route to market, while business rates increases – quickly followed by a cap and its extension – have hit hydro particularly hard."

The Scottish Government’s first Energy Strategy, published December 2017, will be a hot topic at the conference, particularly because of the ambitious new target which it contains: that half of all energy – for heat, transport and electricity – should come from renewable sources by 2030.

Claire Mack continued

“Delegates at the conference will also debate the UK Government’s Industrial and Clean Growth Strategies, as well as the much-delayed Feed-in Tariff consultation and the future for renewable heat.

“We will also consider the implications of the Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy, Climate Change Plan and Planning Bill, as well as ongoing reviews of the offshore energy planning system."

Scottish Renewables’ Annual Conference 2018 is headline-sponsored by EDF Energy Renewables.

CEO Matthieu Hue, who is speaking in the event’s opening session, said

“I am looking forward to the conference and hearing from the voices that matter in shaping the debate for renewables in Scotland.

“This will be a great opportunity to explore the best way forward for our industry as there is still so much we can offer. The discussion we have at the event will help us look ahead and focus on the next chapter.”

Also speaking at Scottish Renewables’ Annual Conference 2018 are representatives from:

  • Shell UK
  • UK Government Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
  • The Climate Group
  • Edinburgh’s Centre for Carbon Innovation
  • Bright Blue
  • Message Matters
  • SSE
  • The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
  • Siemens Gamesa
  • Scottish Government
  • Atkins
  • Marine Scotland
  • ORE Catapult
  • RES
  • Locogen

Notes

Scottish Renewables is the representative body for the renewable energy sector in Scotland, working to grow a sustainable industry which delivers secure supplies of low-carbon, clean energy for heat, power and transport at the lowest possible cost.

We represent around 270 organisations ranging from large suppliers, operators and manufacturers to small developers, installers and community groups, and companies right across the supply chain.


A limited number of media passes for the Annual Conference are available. Please contact Nick Sharpe, Director of Communications, or Eilidh Clark, Communications Manager, to apply.More detail on renewable energy’s past year can be found in this Business Insider article by Scottish Renewables Chief Executive Claire Mack.

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