Analysis: Why renewables are the key to building a future of clean, low-carbon energy

His speech shows a profound lack of understanding about why renewable energy is a key player in building a low carbon economy. The facts are clear: the Scottish renewables industry has invested more than £750 million over the past 12 months, with industry plans for the future totalling £46 billion of capital investment.

We are an industry that is delivering on jobs, delivering on our commitments to tackle climate change and delivering a safe and secure energy source for the future.

Renewables already deliver around a third of Scotland’s electricity needs with some 4,500MW in operation, and the industry has plans for 17,000MW of new projects – more than enough to meet the ambitious 2020 target.

The renewables industry in Scotland has seen companies such as Mitsubishi and Doosan – as well as many homegrown companies across Scotland like Steel Engineering and Burnt- island Fabrications – build manufacturing sites, research and design centres, creating new jobs and providing opportunities for apprenticeships.

The sector has benefited communities across Scotland, including those with community-owned wind farms which have brought much-needed income to the local economy.

Mr Stevenson seems to be under the illusion that investment in renewable energy is the cause of rising energy bills.

Ofgem, whose principal objective is to protect the interests of existing and future gas and electricity consumers, has said repeatedly that the increasing costs of fossil fuels are responsible for the recent hikes in consumer energy bills.

According to Ofgem and the Department of Energy and Climate Change, introducing an increasing amount of renewables into our energy mix will in fact stabilise energy bills in the future, with experts predicting significant reductions in the costs of all forms of renewable energy in coming years.

It is clear Mr Stevenson is only interested in pedalling myths and spreading misinformation about the renewables industry.

As chairman of the climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development intergroup in the European Parliament, we would have thought he would wish to have a sensible debate about how Scotland can play its part in reducing our carbon emissions and tackling climate change by using clean, renewable energy sources.

A mix of sources is needed to meet our needs for low carbon, secure, safe and affordable energy.

Mr Stevenson’s alternatives of nuclear and hydrogen storage alone cannot offer this delicate balance.

We believe that the majority of Scots will see through Mr Stevenson’s irresponsible comments and understand why an increasing mix of renewable technologies is the key to our future energy needs and economic success.

• Jenny Hogan is director of policy for Scottish Renewables.