Can Scotland Become A Leader in Renewable Energy?
The onset of global climate change has made renewable energy a vital issue. While some nations have been more proactive in switching to energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal, others have lagged behind. Scotland has the potential to lead the way in renewable energy, but it will take concerted effort to accomplish this goal. This article will explore the potential for Scotland to become a leader in renewable energy, looking at benefits, initiatives currently underway and future aspirations.
Benefits of Renewable Energy in Scotland
Several factors make Scotland well-suited to becoming a major player in renewable energy. Climate change threatens everything from food security to sea level rises, and the urgency of facing this challenge demands renewable energy solutions. Renewable energy has a myriad of benefits, some of which can be particularly advantageous to Scotland.
Economic: Scotland’s shift to renewable energy can provide a much-needed boost to the country’s economy. Generating renewable energy produces green jobs as well as revenue from electricity export. An influx of renewable energy investments, combined with reducing the costs of green energy, will help bring Scotland’s economy out of the doldrums.
Environmental: Scotland is a country blessed with plentiful natural resources, and shifting to green energy is one of the best ways for Scotland to safeguard its environment for future generations. Renewable energy sources produce less pollution than their non-renewable counterparts, reducing the chances of respiratory diseases, food and water contamination, and other adverse environmental effects.
Social: By using renewable energy, Scotland is taking a major step towards energy independence, bringing security and sustainability to its citizens. Such independence often comes with economic advantage and reduced health risks. Moreover, responsible energy stewardship has the added benefit of improved community pride and identity.
Initiatives Underway in Scotland
Scotland is already on its way to becoming a leader in renewable energy, due in part to the nation’s strong commitment to the clean energy transformation. For their part, both the private sector and the government have kicked off several initiatives to ensure that Scotland’s meets its goal of producing 100% renewable energy by 2020.
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Green Investment Bank: Discussions are underway in Scotland to open a Green Investment Bank, which would focus on providing funding to companies and organizations that promote renewable energy and clean technology projects. The bank would be funded primarily by the country’s largest financial institutions and private-sector capital.
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Subsidies: The Scottish Government has overseen a program wherein homeowners and businesses receive financial incentives for using renewable energy sources. This measure has gained the approval of both environmental activists and economic analysts, as it encourages the green energy shift and provides additional funds for other energy-saving initiatives.
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Grants: Scotland’s renewable energy sector has also been given direct grants for particular projects, such as the £4m fund for wind energy research. The Scots have also been awarded funds from the EU, such as the £2.8m given to Glendoe Wind Farm in 2011.
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Carbon Capture and Storage: To help reduce the nation’s carbon output, Scotland’s Carbon Capture and Storage program uses geological formations to store carbon dioxide deep underground, an alternative to releasing it into the atmosphere. This scheme, jointly funded by the British and Scottish governments, has helped to make Scotland’s energy grid greener.
Scotland’s Long-Term Renewable Energy Goals
Scotland has set more ambitious targets for itself for the future. While it is currently the European leader in renewable energy – generating 136 times more electricity from offshore wind farms compared to other EU countries – it will take a concerted effort to retain this lead. Scotland’s long-term renewable energy goals include the following:
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Increasing total renewable energy output: As of 2019, Scotland’s total net renewable energy output is already 50.1%, an impressive figure which should be further improved over the years. This ambitious goal can be achieved through wind power, biomass, and other forms of renewable energy production.
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Developing battery storage capabilities: While renewable energy sources are plentiful in Scotland, they are sometimes unreliable and unpredictable due to the ever-changing weather. To ensure a reliable electricity supply, Scotland needs to focus on developing the necessary battery storage enabled technologies.
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Expand small-scale renewable energy: Aside from large-scale projects, Scotland should look into supporting small-scale renewable energy sources such as small hydropower, solar and geothermal. These small-scale sources offer more scalability and more opportunities for communities to become involved in the energy transition.
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Prioritizing energy efficiency: Scotland is also planning to focus on energy efficiency in the near future. In other words, the government is aiming to reduce the energy demand in the country, without sacrificing economic growth. This can be done through energy efficiency retrofitting, improved energy education, and upgrading existing infrastructure where feasible.
Though Scotland already leads the way in terms of renewable energy in the UK, it is not entirely relying on its current efforts. Through increasing renewable energy output, developing reliable battery storage capabilities, expanding small-scale renewable sources and emphasizing energy efficiency, Scotland is poised to become a leader in renewable energy, with vision and dedication to make it a reality.
