Renewables sector needs state support
Over the last few years Scotland’s renewable energy sector has grown to become a major part of our energy mix and a significant contributor to our economy. The renewables industry now meets 35 per cent of Scotland’s annual demand for electricity and directly employs more than 11,000 people across the country.
The output from renewables is displacing fossil fuels for heat and power and therefore significantly reducing our carbon emissions.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWe are writing to you to re-state our support for the growth of well-planned renewables – including wind power – in Scotland, and to highlight the contribution this industry will make in securing our economic and environmental future for generations to come:
• A stronger economy with hundreds of millions of pounds invested in Scotland each year
• Lower unemployment with thousands of highly paid and highly skilled jobs across the country
• A more highly skilled workforce with the industry continuing to invest in skills, training and education of the next generation of engineers, technicians and scientists – the people who will power the growth of our economy
• An internationally recognised hub of expertise in research, design and innovation in our universities and colleges
• Reduced pollution and carbon emissions, with Scotland playing a lead role in UK and European efforts to tackle climate change
• Setting world standards for best practice in aspects of renewable energy development
• Greater energy security for consumers, mitigating gas price volatility
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdRenewable energy is one of the few ways in which we can help to power our economies and lifestyles while responding to the moral, economic and environmental imperative of reducing carbon emissions. We call on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee to show its continued support for the renewable energy industry in Scotland.
Morag McCorkindale
Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group
Ian Couper
Energy North
Simon Puttock
Energy Technology Partnership
Christian Kjaer
European Wind Energy Association
Stan Blackley
Friends of the Earth Scotland
Robin Parker
National Union of Students Scotland
Judith Robertson
Oxfam Scotland
Maria McCaffery
Renewable UK
Stuart Housden
RSPB Scotland
(Dr) Lesley Sawers
Scottish Council for Development and Industry
Niall Stuart
Scottish Renewables
Graham Smith
Scottish Trade Union Congress
(Dr) Richard Dixon
WWF Scotland