Energy Handbook 2011 - GBR

P o w e r S u m m i t - T h e E n e r g y H a n d b o o k 2 0 1 1
C o u n t r y P r o f i l e : U n i t e d K i n g d o m
The UK’s
national grid is
undergoing total
reform: existing
cables are being
replaced, and new
networks installed
to connect
burgeoning energy
centres.
nuclear. The third reason is the arrival, at
some stage, of smart networks. Smart
networks will do something that we’ve
never done before: they will allow twoway
power flows.”
panels or bio-generation facilities on their
land. The UK’s system of feed-in tariffs
– which work alongside the Renewables
Obligation – was introduced on 1 April
2010 to promote low-carbon electricity
generation, particularly by organisations,
businesses, communities and individuals
who are not traditionally engaged in the
electricity market.
Interview with Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP,
First Minister of Scotland
Q – Why have you
replaced the Scottish
Government’s previous
target of producing half
of Scotland’s electricity
from renewable sources
by 2020, with a new
target of 80%?
A – The Scottish
Government is aiming to
deliver a transformation
in how we generate
and use energy - making full use of our natural
resources to bring economic and environmental
benefits to our people. When we came to office
in 2007 our renewables targets were widely held
to be ambitious, testing, and tough – generating
40% of electricity demand from renewables by
2020. One of our first actions was to raise this
from 40% to 50%.
Our National Renewables Infrastructure Plan
(N-RIP) estimates £223 million of investment is
needed in Scotland’s port and harbour facilities
and governments need to stimulate private
finance through a certain level of strategic
public investment. That’s the purpose of our
National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (N-RIF),
established initially with £70 million to strengthen
our ports and harbours infrastructure. The initial
call aims to strengthen ports and manufacturing
facilities for offshore wind turbines and related
components and to leverage significant private
sector investment over the next four years.
Q – What are Scotland’s current advantages with
regard to attracting foreign investment?
A – Scotland is one of the most attractive inward
investment destinations for the global renewable
energy industry for a number of key reasons.
Building on our unrivalled natural resources and
supportive Government policies, we and our
agencies aim to attract the best technologies and
global best practice and to share our experience
and knowledge with the rest of the world, as we
have done more than once with other industries in
Scotland.
The rate of progress and sense of purpose in
The smart grid will work with smart meters
Scotland’s renewables industry now gives us
– which the Department of Energy and
greater optimism that our higher 80% target
Climate Change has announced it would
can be achieved. Since coming to power,
like to see in all homes by 2020 – to
the Scottish Government has consistently
inform customers of their real-time energy “Clean energy cashback” will allow many
demonstrated our political commitment to this
use. Smart meters can also communicate people to invest in small-scale low-carbon
endeavour. For example, we have consented We have a rich and thriving oil and gas sector and
information to connected devices and electricity, in return for guaranteed
36 major renewables projects (more than double several indigenous Scottish companies with a high
consumers about grid condition, making payments for the electricity they generate
the figure for previous administrations) and now level of technological advance, knowledge and
it possible for customers to use energy and export. “We’re looking at how we can
have some 7 Giga Watts of renewables capacity expertise in renewables. And we boast top-end
at more economic times and to reduce mobilise people to think of themselves
now operating, in construction or consented. research and development centres, some very
the size of demand peaks. For instance, a not just as consumers but as generators
So we are well on course to exceed the interim unique expertise in wind, tidal and wave areas.
user can program a smart meter to turn on as well,” says Charles Hendry.
31% target for 2011. And given the scale of Through the Scottish European Green Energy
selected home appliances that can run at
lease agreements now in place to develop more Centre, we are collaborating with a range of
arbitrary hours, such as washing machines, Contrary to Will Self’s presentation of an
offshore wind, wave and tidal projects totalling organisations on the continent to help accelerate
at times when power is at least expensive. era in which people are divorced from the
some 12 Giga Watts over the next decade, it was the development and deployment of low carbon
At peak times the grid could turn off energy that surrounds them, the arrival of
clear that we should aim higher and go further energy technologies at home and further afield.
selected appliances to reduce demand. smart grids means that, in theory, energy
with our target for 2020.
Two of Europe’s largest developers of renewable
The emergence of smart grids and meters, users will be far more involved in how their
energy, based in Scotland – Scottish Power and
combined with increased availability of electricity is generated, transmitted and
Q – The UK requires £200 billion of investment SSE Renewables – act as a major catalyst for
renewable generating equipment, also ultimately used. “The whole relationship
to achieve its 2020 targets, what is the Scottish inward investment to Scotland as they continue
makes small-scale generation a much between consumers and suppliers will
government doing to help promote investment in to gather strategic partners to deliver their major
more feasible proposition for private and change,” says David Smith.
Scotland?
renewable energy projects along with developing
public institutions. According to Maria
A – That level of investment undoubtedly poses Smart Grid and Carbon Capture and Storage
McCaffery, CEO of industry association While not exactly a Promethean wresting
a challenge, particularly in this economic climate. technologies. The radical upgrade of the grid
RenewableUK, seven of the world’s top of power from the gods, it seems that the
Yet, as the world moves into the economic infrastructure in Scotland required to deliver
ten small wind turbine manufacturers are burden of responsibility for ensuring power
recovery phase, it is clear that investment in the over 22GW of wind and marine energy by 2025
now British. A slew of small installation, continues to be a force for good instead
green economy – creating new wealth, a new will trigger major investments in transmission
engineering and consultancy firms has of a terrifying weapon of destruction falls
industry with new assets – can play a hugely assets by both Scottish Power and SSE. This too
sprung up to cater for households, not only at the feet of the government and
important role in building a strong, sustainable represents a significant opportunity for inward
businesses and independent generators private sector, but rests on the shoulders
recovery.
investment.
who wish to put turbines, photovoltaic of our entire society.
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