Scottish renewables powering energy growth

Energy and Clean Growth Minister, Claire Perry, has praised the Scottish renewables industry and its energy pioneers, who are powering the move away from fossil fuels.

The innovative renewables market is now powering 25% of UK total capacity and providing jobs for 24,000 people.

The growing success of the Scottish renewable industry in meeting the UK’s climate targets was praised during Ms Perry’s keynote speech to the All-Energy conference in Glasgow. The Minister also pointed to the huge potential for Scottish enterprise in delivering clean growth as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy Clean Growth Grand Challenge – with 24,000 people already working in the Low Carbon sector.

She said: “From James Watt’s steam engine kicking off the industrial revolution and the opening of the first coal mine, through to offshore wind and marine energy powering homes and businesses in the present day, Scotland has always been at the cutting edge of progress.

“The renewables industry has a central role in our modern Industrial Strategy with the global shift towards clean growth providing one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time.”

Scotland has stamped its mark on the renewables industry, being home to a potential future output of over four Gigawatts, from more than ten offshore wind farms, giving it the opportunity to power millions of homes. While renewable energy contributions to the UK energy supply have soared in recent months, with record lengths of time powered solely by renewables being recorded. Energy consumers are benefiting too, as prices for producing clean energy such as offshore wind continue to drop.

This surge is backed by the long term commitment of government investment in clean energy. Electricity from clean wind power has increased 43% between December 2017 and February 2018.

The UK’s modern Industrial Strategy is a long-term plan to build a Britain fit for the future through a stronger, fairer economy. As part of this, the Modern Industrial Strategy sets out four Grand Challenges, including Clean Growth – Ensuring the UK is at the forefront of innovation and maximising the advantages for UK industry in the global shift to clean growth.

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