In 2009, EU Heads of State and Government set a series of legally binding climate and energy targets to be met by 2020. Within this package, the UK is responsible for increasing energy consumption from renewable sources by 15% by 2020.Due to our vast and unrivalled offshore capabilities, the UK Government believes that this figure could be as high as 30% by 2020.

In particular, the opportunities for deployment across Scotland are enormous, and the country is forecasted to make a disproportionate contribution to the UK’s effort to mitigate climate change.

Scotland is ready to play its part in meeting UK policy objectives, since the Scottish Government has itself set a target of 100% of electricity demand to be met by renewable technologies by 2020. Clearly, the resource exists, so it’s crucial that necessary market arrangements are there to support this emerging and strategically important industry.

Scottish Renewables works with its members and relevant governmental bodies to secure stable and effective financial support mechanisms to build and strengthen markets for emerging technologies, and allow the industry to attract the investment to meet or exceed energy targets. Scottish Renewables works with the both the UK and Scottish Government to deliver a proportionate, joined-up regulatory framework which fully recognises the role played by renewables in mitigating climate change, along with the  socio-economic benefits of the industry.