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Developing Scotland's renewable heat potential
5 November 2009
Renewable heat will have to make a significant contribution if Scotland is to deliver its target of 80% greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Scottish Government's Renewable Heat Action Plan builds on many of SDC Scotland's recommendations for developing the potential.
The Renewable Heat Action Plan published today (5th November) sets out the ways the Government will work with partners to achieve a comprehensive delivery infrastructure and a supportive policy and regulatory framework to move towards a low carbon Scotland.
The Sustainable Development Commission Scotland was asked by Government to deliver the background statistics for the Plan. Our report Renewable Heat in Scotland identifies current renewable heat schemes and the renewable heat potential.
The report finds significant challenges for Scotland in moving to low carbon heat as many of the changes will come about through technical innovation, or regulatory reforms that sit outside of devolved powers. Our background report recommends a number of actions the Scottish Government should initiate. Many of the recommendations are reflected in the Government's Action Plan.
The SDC research showed that an 11% target for renewable heat by 2020 is achievable with no fundamental changes to the way heat is currently used, or the way renewable fuels, in particular wood and waste streams, are produced and delivered. However, to deliver 80% greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2050 will require a heat system where renewable heat is the dominant type.
Government has now asked SDC Scotland to research Scotland’s potential for energy from waste. The work involves looking at how much energy from waste may contribute given that Scotland has a zero waste plan. The study will analyse existing data on controlled waste streams in Scotland to assess how much energy, both heat and electricity, might be available from waste-to-energy technologies.
» Download Renewable Heat in Scotland
» Read the Scottish Government's Renewable Heat Action Plan