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Indicator 13. Energy: renewable
Percentage electricity generated from renewable sources
Percentage electricity generated from renewable sources
Year | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|
Hydro | 9.3 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 6.0 |
|---|
Wind, wave or solar | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
|---|
Other | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.8 |
|---|
Total renewable | 9.9 | 8.6 | 10.3 | 7.7 |
|---|
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
The relevance of the indicator
Renewable sources of energy can provide a sustainable means of generating the energy we need. Scotland has huge potential for renewable energy. The Executive has introduced legislation that compels electricity suppliers to increase the amount of electricity that they supply by renewable means.
Detailed definition and source details
The indicator is defined as the share of total electricity generated in Scotland produced from renewable sources. The data are supplied to the Department of Trade and Industry ( DTI) by the electricity generating companies including autogenerators (those companies that consume the electricity that they themselves generate). Hydro pumped storage schemes are not included as renewable sources of electricity because it is non-renewable energy that is used to pump the water. The amount of electricity generated is the total amount before taking account of any transmissions losses or own use of electricity by the electricity generators. Earlier figures used in Meeting the Needs… were collected by the Scottish Executive and excluded autogenerators (see Indicator 12).
Trends
The renewables share tends to fluctuate as hydro (natural flow) is highly dependent on the level of precipitation in the catchment areas, which explains the reduction in electricity generated from renewable sources from 2002 to 2003. However, through the actions set out below we will begin to see these figures increase year-on-year as more renewable energy generating stations come on line. For example, the Executive has granted section 36 consent for 8 windfarms (a total of 875.6 MW) and 4 hydro-electric generating schemes (15.5 MW). As these developments come to fruition and begin generating electricity, we will see their contribution reflected in the retrospective statistics in the coming years. We expect further increases as the marine energy and biomass industries begin to establish themselves in Scotland. Although still at a low level, the amount of energy generated by wind, wave or solar power more than doubled between 2000 and 2003.
Further disaggregation
The data source does not allow for the further disaggregation of the information held due to confidentiality constraints.
Target
The Executive has set a target of 18% electricity generation from renewable sources by 2010. Following a further consultation on our renewable energy policy, Scottish Ministers announced in March 2003, a further target of 40% electricity generation from renewables by 2020. The First Minister announced last November that we have granted approvals for enough projects which, when built, would be sufficient to meet our 2010 target.
Action
A Partnership for a Better Scotland: Partnership Agreement and Building A Better Scotland: Spending Proposals 2005-2008 include commitments to make synergetic progress towards achieving our renewables targets. This includes promoting and supporting a range of renewables technologies and encouraging the participation of communities and individuals in renewables projects.
The Renewables Obligation Scotland ( ROS) now in force obliges licensed electricity suppliers in Scotland to source increasing amounts of their supplies from renewable sources. Suppliers source certificates (known as ROCs) from renewable generators, which they pass to the industry regulator to prove the extent to which they have complied with their obligation. The level of the obligation for 2005-06 is 5.5% of electricity supplied, rising year-on-year to 10.4% for the year 2010-11. Recent amendments to the ROS will further increase the level of obligation to 15.4% by 2015-16. The obligation remains in force until 2027.
The Ministerially chaired Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland ( FREDS) was established in October 2003. FREDS comprises very senior decision makers from across the industrial and academic sectors. Its purpose is to provide strategic leadership, set targets, agree action plans, and to monitor progress. The Forum has published recommended actions to support the development of a successful marine and biomass industry in Scotland. Similar reports are expected shortly on hydrogen fuel-cell technology and the future training and skills required to support our renewable energy sector prosper.
The Executive has allocated over £3 million to the European Marine Energy Centre ( EMEC) in Orkney, which is providing unique device testing facilities. A Strategic Environmental Assessment of Scotland's coastline will be undertaken, and will assist developers in identifying the best sites for wave and tidal energy devices. £3 million has been allocated to the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Demonstrator Project in the Moray Firth. If successful, offshore wind could make a valuable contribution to increasing renewable energy in Scotland.
The Executive has also invested £6 million in the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative ( SCHRI) since 2003. The SCHRI is jointly managed on our behalf by Highlands and Islands Enterprise ( HIE) and the Energy Saving Trust ( EST) to promote small-scale renewables in Scotland. Its two main objectives are to produce zero carbon electricity/energy and raise public awareness of the benefits of renewable energy. The SCHRI has supported over 500 projects. Following its success it has been extended for another 3 years to 2007-08, supported by further investment of £6.6 million.
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