Question reference: S5O-01953
- Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 21 March 2018
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 28 March 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the renewable energy industry.
Answer
The ambitious targets set out in our new Energy Strategy show how seriously we take our commitment to supporting and growing Scotland’s renewable energy potential.
We have pioneered unique legislative changes and made funding available to support the growth of offshore wind and marine renewables in Scottish waters. We have made crystal clear our view that onshore wind and other low cost renewable technologies will continue to play a major role in powering Scotland’s low carbon future. And our £60 million Low Carbon Innovation Funding call is currently inviting bids from projects which will advance our renewable heat and transport ambitions. We have also provided £35 million through our Community and Renewable Energy Scheme, or CARES, to support 600 operational community and locally owned projects.
Low Carbon and Renewable energy already supports almost 50,000 jobs across Scotland, and generates a turnover £11 billion. The sector is not without its challenges, but we remain determined to work with our stakeholders to overcome these, and to continue its increasing contribution to sustainable economic growth.