Scotland's Bold Renewable Targets
Last week saw a stunning landslide victory for the Scottish National Party in elections to the Scottish Parliament, achieving an overall majority; the first party to do so since inception of the Parliament in 1999. This removes a key barrier to implementing policies leaving no excuse for failure. The SNP election manifesto is big on environmental pledges, including promoting green heat, reducing fuel poverty, reducing waste and increasing renewable energy. In fact, its ambition for renewable energy is one of the boldest I've seen: 100% of renewable electricity by 2020. An extract from the Manifesto is shown below: So, 100% of electricity from renewable sources within 9 years. This requires a factor of 4 increase in generation from the current 25-30%, or perhaps more achievable a doubling of electricity generation combined with a halving of consumption. Even then it is ambitious, so how can it be achieved? The extra generation is anticipated to come fro...