Scottish Electricity Generation Plan Underway

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A new Scottish Government report has made it clear that the country can make its targets of meeting the country’s electricity needs by 2020 from renewables and thermal generation progressively fitted with carbon capture and storage.

The Scottish Government aims to develop an electricity generation mix built around four key principles:

  • a secure source of electricity supply
  • an affordable cost to customers
  • decarbonised by 2030
  • achieves the greatest possible economic benefit and competitive advantage for Scotland

These principles mean that Scotland will not need to install any new nuclear power stations.

Causeymire Windfarm, photographed from south of Tacher farm off the Causeymire road.

The report, the Electricity Generation Policy Statement (EGPS), lays out the Scottish Government’s plan for renewable energy and fossil fuel thermal generation based on research studies looking at future energy supply, storage, and demand. The report shows that low-carbon energy policies will not only benefit the environment and create jobs, but such a future will also lead to lower household bills. According to the reprt, low-carbon energy policies and measures could lead to an average household energy bill of £1,285 by 2020 — whereas carrying on with ‘business as usual’ will lead to bills of £1,379.

“This report shows that the Scottish Government’s target to generate the equivalent of 100 per cent of our electricity needs from renewables, as well as more from other sources, is achievable,” said Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.

“We know there is doubt and scepticism about our 100 per cent renewables target, and the financial and engineering challenges required to meet it. But we will meet these challenges. I want to debate, engage and co-operate with every knowledgeable, interested and concerned party to ensure we achieve our goals.

“We know our target is technically achievable. Scotland already leads the world in renewable energy, and we have the natural resources and the expertise to achieve so much more. The prize at stake for the people of Scotland is huge, in terms of jobs, economic opportunities and lower electricity bills for all.  I am determined to win that prize.”

Now if only the rest of the world could set such goals with such a passion and desire to see them completed.

Source: Scottish Government
Image Source: Shandchem


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Joshua S Hill

I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

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