Scottish Power to Invest in Solar Energy for the First Time

Big six firm to focus exclusively on renewables, adding solar power to its windfarms

Scottish Power, one of Britain’s biggest energy companies, has said it will invest in solar power for the first time as part of its move away from fossil fuels.

The big six firm sold off its last gas-fired power stations to Drax Group this week to focus exclusively on renewables, which today consists of onshore and offshore windfarms.

But Keith Anderson, the company’s chief executive, told the Guardian he had decided to move into solar, too.

Scotland and Wales Environment Ministers Band Together on Brexit Strategy

Environment ministers from the two nations pledge to work together to protect devolved green agendas

Environment ministers from Scotland and Wales have promised to work together on Brexit amid fears the UK government's approach to withdrawal could hamper their climate agendas.

Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham met yesterday with her Welsh counterpart Lesley Griffiths in Cardiff to discuss their concerns over the EU Withdrawal Bill, which is designed to translate EU law into the UK statute book.

What Scotland’s Renewables Record Means for the Grid

It’s time to start thinking seriously about how to deal with lots of intermittent generation.

Record-breaking renewable generation in Scotland was cheered by environmentalists last month. But grid planners remain cautious. 

Wind generation accounted for 46 percent of Scotland’s entire electricity needs in May.

“Market design and the existing network are not geared to the level of flexibility and adaptation that is required" in the country, said Aris Karcanias, co-lead of the clean energy practice at FTI Consulting.

Could Scotland be 50% Renewable by 2030?

Despite grand ambitions, Scotland will not achieve 100% renewables generation by 2020, however experts believe it could still generate a healthy 50% from renewable sources by 2030. But what changes need to be implemented in order to achieve this?

In 2011 the Scottish government released its 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland, a plan of action which called for the delivery of 100% energy generation from renewables by 2020. With just four years to go, it is evident that this target will not be achieved. Instead, a goal of 50% renewable by 2030 could be an alternative target, according to a recent  report, which  puts forward key actions for the Scottish Government. , It suggests that heat and transport should be the key focus in achieving this target, along with a continued focus on wind power.

In Scotland, Sturgeon Hopeful of Climate Deal, but Returns from Summit to Attacks Over Renewables Policy

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "cautiously optimistic" that a global deal on climate change is imminent, but returned home from a UN summit in Paris to stinging criticism of her own Government's renewable energy policy.

The First Minister, who represented Scotland at the meeting of world leaders in the French capital, has claimed that her administration is setting an example to the world by imposing tough targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy generation.

Parliament Seminar Ups Solar Awareness in Scotland

A consortium of solar industry and academic groups held an event at Scottish parliament yesterday to advocate solar energy in Scotland’s renewable energy policy.

The seminar, ‘Transforming Scotland with Solar Energy’ presented a solar vision document to attendees from industry, academia and government with the aim of engaging different sectors to discuss solar as part of Scotland’s energy future.

Scotland signs landmark renewables deal with Masdar

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond will travel to Abu Dhabi next week to sign a landmark deal on renewables with state-backed green energy developer Masdar.

The deal, which will be signed next Tuesday at the World Future Energy Summit, will see Scotland work with Masdar on the development of green energy products.