Ewing talks up Scottish renewables

SCOTLAND can expect more wind farms and other renewable energy schemes to be built in 2012 than in the past year, the energy minister has said.

In his New Year message, Fergus Ewing highlighted that seven gigawatts (GW) of renewable projects were either built or consented in Scotland, with 17GW in the pipeline.

“I am relentlessly positive for 2012, and firmly believe we will build on 2011’s successes to make it an even better year,” said Mr Ewing.

“We have a pipeline of £46 billion of investment in Scottish renewables, which amounts to 17GW of generating capacity.”

He said that a “benefit register” would be introduced this year to help communities make sure they reap the benefits from wind farms.

“Renewable energy provides an opportunity to reindustrialise Scotland, and I am working with the oil and gas sector to ensure we transfer the years of experience to the renewable sector,” he added.