Scotland reaches 97% renewables

 From The BBC.

Scotland has narrowly missed a target to generate the equivalent of 100% of its electricity demand from renewables in 2020.   New figures reveal it reached 97.4% from renewable sources.  This target was set in 2011, when renewable technologies generated just 37% of national demand.

Industry body Scottish Renewables said output had tripled in the last 10 years, with enough power for the equivalent of seven million households.  Chief executive Claire Mack, said: "Scotland's climate change targets have been a tremendous motivator to the industry to increase deployment of renewable energy sources.  "Renewable energy projects are displacing tens of millions of tonnes of carbon every year, employing the equivalent of 17,700 people and bringing enormous socio-economic benefits to communities."

In 2019 Scotland met 90.1% of its equivalent electricity consumption from renewables, according to Scottish Government figures.  Scotland has some of the most ambitious climate targets in the world, with its Climate Change Bill setting out a legally binding target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2045.  By 2030, ministers want renewable energy generation to account for 50% of energy demand across electricity, heat and transport.

Ms Mack, added: "Domestic and commercial transport accounts for almost 25% of the energy used in Scotland, with heat making up more than half, as well as more than half of its emissions.  "Currently 6.5% of our non-electrical heat demand is generated from renewable sources.  Industry and government must continue to work together if we are to fully realise our potential to meet net-zero by 2045."

The next steps on the road to zero carbon will be carbon-neutral gas for heating, and electric vehicles.