Scotland takes Euro lead in renewable energy
Europe's largest operating onshore wind farm at Whitelees in East Renfrewshire was officially 'switched on' yesterday, Wednesday May 21st, by First Minister Alex Salmond. He also performed the opening ceremony at the new GBP 2 million Scottish Gas Energy Academy in Hamilton.
Scottish Power's application to extend its GBP 300 million, 140-turbine windfarm at Whitelee has been granted, giving it the capacity to power 250,000 homes while enabling the company to create up to 300 'green jobs'.
The Scottish Gas Energy Academy is a key part of Scottish Gas' commitment to double the number of apprentice engineers taken on in Scotland to over 100 each year, and is set up to train engineers in new green technologies such as domestic micro-generation, energy efficient products, smart meters and to offer energy efficiency advice to customers.
Mr Salmond said:
'Today we announce further investment, more jobs and greater progress of Scotland's clean, green energy revolution.
'Our potential for electricity generation from renewables is up to 60GW - more than ten times our peak demand. We have launched the world's greatest single prize for innovation in marine energy, the GBP 10 million Saltire Prize; we are developing and applying clean fossil fuel technology; we have an unrivalled competitive advantage in carbon capture and storage; we have approved Siadar, one of the largest wave energy projects on the planet; as well as developing and consenting hydro and biomass projects. Harnessing all these opportunities has the potential to create more than 16,000 jobs in Scotland over the next decade.
'The Scottish Government has now approved 23 major energy projects since May 2007 - more determinations than over the whole of the previous four years.
'Whitelee in its current form is already flying the flag for onshore wind power in Europe. The planned extension, which I am delighted to announce today, will enable the windfarm to harness its comparative and competitive advantage in wind generated energy within Europe. It has the infrastructure, the expertise and the capacity to continue to develop in the future.
'During its initial construction, the windfarm employed more than 500 people and ploughed GBP 300 million investment directly into the Scottish economy. The benefits of this investment go beyond South Lanarkshire and beyond our real economy. It is an investment in Scotland's potential and ambition to lead the clean, green energy revolution.
'The Scottish Government is committed to taking full advantage of our 25 per cent share in Europe's wave and windpower capacity. We are determined to get rid of harmful emissions from our environment while capitalising on the vast economic opportunities our natural advantage in renewable energy poses.
'This is why today we have also announced Duncan Botting will chair the Scottish European Green Energy Centre - a unique body which will act as a focal point for Scottish engagement in Europe to further green energy research, development and deployment.
'Earlier today, I visited the Scottish Gas Energy Academy which has made a commitment to double the number of apprentice engineers in Scotland to over 100 each year.
'Scotland has the full support of Government, industry and research to exploit its energy potential to the full and lead the charge in the clean, green revolution to maximum economic benefit.'
There is now almost six Gigawatts of renewables capacity installed, consented or under construction around Scotland. That takes us beyond our interim target of meeting 31 per cent of Scotland's electricity demand from renewables by 2011.
The Scottish Government's Energy Consents and Deployment Unit is currently processing 28 renewable project applications - 23 wind farms and five hydro projects.
The Scottish Government has determined 28 energy applications, including approval for 22 renewable and one non-renewable project since May 2007 - more determinations than over the whole of the previous four years, in which 19 projects were determined.
Scottish Government targets are to meet 50 per cent of electricity demand from renewables by 2020, and an interim target of 31 per cent by 2011.
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