Look to heat sector in Draft Budget, industry body urges

Scottish Renewables has called on the Scottish Government to back renewable energy in its Draft Budget.

The industry body has submitted an extensive package of measures to Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work Derek Mackay designed to support Scotland’s successful renewable energy industry as it continues to

“deliver the economic benefits of tackling climate change”.

The submission asks that the Scottish Government use its Draft Budget to:

Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through investing in the decarbonisation of Scotland’s heating sector

Invest in developing innovative technologies which play to Scotland’s strengths – for example our world-leading tidal and wave energy sectors

Work to meet local energy ambitions through creating an environment in which small-scale renewables can thrive

Optimise Scotland’s tax and fees systems to ensure that Scotland’s diverse renewable energy businesses and capacity can continue to grow

Ensure adequate resourcing across all levels of Government to enable efficient processes, support local, low-carbon energy development and ensure that the ambitions contained in the Scottish Energy Strategy – including a new target that half of all energy be sourced from renewables by 2030 – are achieved.

Jenny Hogan, Deputy Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

“Our renewable energy sector is a Scottish success story which is already delivering the economic and environmental benefits of tackling climate change.

“Industry has worked closely with successive Scottish and UK Governments to get to a position where Scotland is generating enough electricity from renewable sources to meet 69% of our power needs, generating £5.5 billion in revenue in 2016 and employing 16,000 people.

“The Scottish Government must ensure that this Draft Budget builds on the success to date in electricity generation and takes the bold action necessary to decarbonise our heat and transport sectors.”