Climate Change and Renewables

The term ‘Renewables’ isn’t just a buzzword anymore. As the world tries to find innovative new ways to power modern society, it has become clearer that we need to move away from fossil fuels towards a cleaner, greener future. Scotland is dedicated to making the world a better place to live, and that’s one of the many reasons why we’re at the forefront of renewable energies.

With a long history of utilising the abundant natural resources found both on and off our shores, we’re committed to harnessing these in a sustainable way. We’ll do this while delivering tangible benefits such as creating quality jobs, strengthening local communities, and supporting sustainable economic growth across Scotland.

By 2030 we aim to generate the equivalent of 50% of Scotland's overall energy consumption from renewable sources, and by 2050 we aim to have decarbonised our energy system almost completely.

Whether it’s record-breaking tidal turbines or zero-emission public transport, Scotland is showing how seriously it embraces innovative renewable power projects.

Climate change

We recognise there is a global climate and nature emergency and approach this challenge very seriously. Our commitment to achieving net zero by 2045 is unwavering – we are already around halfway there and continue to decarbonise faster than the UK average.

In 2019, we amended our climate change legislation - committing to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest. In doing so, we became a world-leader in the fight against climate change. The legislation also requires action to ensure that Scotland is resilient to the impacts of climate change. We are renowned for having underpinned our net zero targets with a legislative commitment to a Just Transition – meaning no one is left behind as we work to end our contribution to climate change.

As an example of our dedication to this crucial fight, Scotland hosted the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference - known as COP 26. Here, experts and leaders from around the world gathered to tackle climate change and protect the planet for future generations.

At COP26, Scotland pledged £2m of the Climate Justice Fund to address loss and damage as a result of climate change. This initial pledge was used to support communities to address loss and damage in Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. We’ve increased this fund and to date have pledged and mobilised £10 million of loss and damage funding.

Hywind

25km off the coast of Peterhead, in the northeast of Scotland, you will find Hywind – the world’s first floating offshore wind farm. Comprised of five giant turbines, the blades of these mammoth offshore generators are being propelled by Scotland’s fierce North Sea wind. This farm alone generates enough renewable energy to power around 35,000 homes.

This pioneering project was a culmination of 15 years of hard work in collaboration with Norwegian firm, Statoil. The towering monoliths of power boast massive rotating blades that reach 250 metres from end to end. The structures also plunge a staggering 100 metres below the surface of the cold North Sea towards the seabed where they’re anchored in place.

Amazingly, Scotland potentially has enough resource to generate more power than Scotland itself needs for its entire consumption of energy! Because of this, it’s hardly surprising that companies like Equinor should seek us out for these projects, which are vital to our planet’s health and wellbeing.

It is vital that Scotland takes advantage of its natural advantages – particularly when it comes to our combination of high-speed winds and abundant deep waters. These assets provide the opportunity for Scotland to lead on deep water offshore wind technologies. That’s why we are putting together a new Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy. Through this, we can ensure that the necessary strategies are in place to enable further commercial-scale offshore wind development in Scotland’s seas.

Marine Energy

Scotland has a hydroelectricity programme that dates back as far as the 1950s, when we began using our rivers, lochs and waters to generate electricity. Amazingly, the infrastructure that was put in place back then still actually produces energy today and we continue to take a global lead in marine energy. We’re home to both the world’s largest tidal stream project as well as the world’s most powerful floating tidal turbine.

Today, the Orkney Islands are the epicentre of the marine energy industry and are home to the world’s only accredited marine energy laboratory. The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is an international hub, enabling collaboration to harness the power of the sea all around the world. Orkney was chosen as the site because the environment and weather conditions here make it the ideal location for researching and developing all kinds of marine energy projects.

One company helping turn the tide on climate change is Orbital Marine Power, based in Orkney. Their pioneering floating turbine technology can supply predictable, clean power from tidal streams and ocean currents, every day, regardless of the weather.

Orbital’s 2MW O2, the world’s most powerful and advanced tidal turbine, is a boldly innovative piece of awesome engineering, built with an 80% UK supply chain to support the creation of a greener economy with sustainable, quality jobs .

In addition to the wide range of renewable energy sources currently helping to meet Scotland's energy needs, we continue to champion the marine energy sector in Scotland – supporting the research, development, innovation and demonstration that will maintain Scotland’s competitive advantage. Wave and tidal energy can not only play an important role in our own energy system but can also offer substantial enormous promise in tackling the global climate emergency.

Continued progress is something that Scotland is keen to push, and we’ve outlined this commitment with an ambitious but achievable targets for our own renewable energy targets.

Our pledge will come as a breath of fresh air for those that care for the wellbeing and the future of the planet. It also emphasises Scotland’s continued dedication to finding better ways the power the world in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way.