Scottish Renewables calls on government to end speculation on future onshore wind support
20 June 2012
The future of financial support for onshore wind farm developers was discussed at the final evidence session of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee’s renewable energy inquiry where the Secretary of State, Ed Davey MP and Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, both gave oral evidence.
Commenting after Ed Davey was quizzed by MSPs about the level of Renewable Obligation (RO) support for onshore wind, Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:
“It’s time the government put an end to the speculation surrounding the support for onshore wind and gives this industry some certainty over its future.
“We have written to the Prime Minister outlining our concerns that any further cut than the 10 per cent reduction already proposed could do considerable damage to investor confidence during a time when onshore wind is the single biggest contributor to renewable energy generation and a significant employer.
“It’s not just the industry that will be impacted but community based projects too. Given their economics these projects will be disproportionately affected, placing at risk significant income for communities across Scotland.
“The facts are; onshore wind is the cheapest form of renewable energy deployed at scale, it is driving investment in grid, in R&D of new technology, and in skills development and training.”
