Renewable and low carbon energy

First Minister hails “truly historic” opportunity of ScotWind.

Investment in carbon capture project announced.

Scotland's Climate Assembly published their full report on 23 June 2021. It included 81 recommendations for the Scottish Government, who had six months to respond. This response sets out the existing and proposed actions that government will take in order to address their recommendations.

The Expert Advisory Group was formed to make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on the scope of a potential Heat Pump Sector Deal for Scotland. This final report includes the Group's recommendations and conclusions from their work.

Summary document setting out the results of the full Equality impact assessment (EQIA) which has been carried out for the Heat in Buildings strategy.

Support available to help people save on heating bills this winter.

This draft heat network delivery plan sets out how the provisions of the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021, and related policies, will contribute to increased heat networks across Scotland. It also outlines the proposed regulatory regime for the heat networks sector in Scotland.

UK Government made an amendment in March 2021 to its Renewables Obligation Order 2015 increasing the level of the mutualisation threshold, reducing the likelihood of it being triggered. This consultation seeks views on making the same changes to mutualisation arrangements under the RO(S) legislation to address electricity supplier payment default.

International collaborations to support our seas and oceans.

This business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) accompanies our Heat in Buildings Strategy.

Summary document of the Fairer Scotland Duty assessment process which has been carried out for the Heat in Buildings Strategy.

Island communities impact assessment (ICIA) for the Heat in Buildings Strategy.

Summary document setting out the results of the full child rights and wellbeing impact assessment which has been carried out for the Heat in Buildings Strategy.

Over £100 million to advance cleaner energy.

The Scottish Government and NHS Assure have developed a draft Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy 2022 to 2026 for NHS Scotland. This is open for consultation until 10 February 2022. Comments should be returned on the template in the supporting documents by email.

Our draft Hydrogen Action Plan articulates the actions that will be taken over the next five years to support the development of a hydrogen economy to further our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Scotland’s energy system while ensuring a just transition.

Plans to increase onshore wind capacity published ahead of COP26.

Seeks views on our ambition to secure an additional 8-12 GW of installed onshore wind capacity by 2030, how to tackle the barriers to deployment, and how to secure maximum economic benefit from these developments.

An update on the progress toward meeting the target of 11% of non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources by 2020.

Information about the Scottish Government policy on trade promotion support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas.

Funding allocated to local island projects.

Green growth pathfinder projects announced.

Scotland’s heat in buildings strategy published.

An evaluation of renewable and zero emissions heating systems in 21 Scottish affordable housing projects. This study assesses the estimated, actual, and counterfactual costs of the projects’ heating systems and determines the drivers behind decision making.

Independent analysis of the responses made to the scoping consultation into the New Build Heat Standard.

Research looking into the network constraints issues associated with the electrification of heat for domestic new build developments. The focus of the work was on connection costs for these developments, how the cost is defined, and apportioned to the relevant stakeholder.

Sets out our vision for the future of heat in buildings, and the actions we are taking in the buildings sector to deliver our climate change commitments, maximise economic opportunities, and ensure a just transition, including helping address fuel poverty.

Evaluation of the third, and final, phase of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) pilots, which involved nine local authorities and took place between November 2019 and April 2021.

This report considers the potential economic impacts arising from a shift towards low carbon heating technologies in Scotland, over the period to 2030.

Sets out our overarching framework for engaging the people of Scotland in the transition to a net zero nation which is prepared for the effects of our changing climate.

The Scottish Government's initial response to the final report of the Just Transition Commission. It sets out our long-term vision for just transition and provides details on our National Just Transition Planning Framework.

Second annual progress report on the land use strategy, as required under Section 37A of The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. It covers the period of March 2020 to March 2021.

This report outlines work undertaken by Zero Emission Social Housing Task Force. Within the report the recommendations set out what is required to achieve zero emission housing whilst ensuring support for tenants in reducing their energy bills and achieving carbon savings.

Scottish Greens to enter government.

£16.5 million to support energy transformation.

The equity loan pilot has delivered energy efficient and zero emission heating solutions to eligible homeowners since its inception in 2017. We now wish to consider the potential to develop the pilot as part of the suite of support schemes for the decarbonisation of Scottish homes.

A new air quality strategy to replace Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future, setting out the Scottish Government's air quality policy framework for the next five years and a series of actions to deliver further air quality improvements.

Scottish Government Procurement Strategy covering the period from April 2021 to March 2023.

Interim joint response from SG and COSLA to the New Future for Scotland's Town Centres report articulates our support for the reports overarching aim to work with our partners and communities to transform the future of our town centres and signals our commitment to work collaboratively in shaping and implementing change locally.

Analysis of responses to the consultation on a draft new air quality strategy for Scotland.

This report is focused around five key themes: the health of the nation, delivering personalised care, reducing health inequalities, sustainability of our workforce, and green and sustainable healthcare.

This Call for Evidence seeks input on actions to modify and enhance the range of support mechanisms currently provided by Scottish Government through the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) for development and delivery of large-scale low and zero carbon heat in buildings projects.

In June 2020 we launched an independent collaborative review of the progress and scope of the 2013 Town Centre Action Plan. The Review group was asked to build on our town centre first approach and develop a refreshed vision for our towns and the means to achieve it.

This local energy policy statement containing set of key principles and associated outcomes represents the values we wish to see adopted.

Technical appendix to accompany the technical feasibility of low carbon heating in domestic buildings report.

A report undertaken to assess the suitability of low carbon heating technologies in residential buildings in Scotland.

Cost appendix to accompany the technical feasibility of low carbon heating in domestic buildings report.

Initial assessment of Scotland’s opportunity to produce green hydrogen from offshore wind.

Examines how applications of hydrogen-based technologies in transport, industry, heat and whole system approaches can best be deployed in Scotland.

The following report is a research piece outlining the potential pathways for decarbonisation of Scottish Industries. Two main pathways are considered, hydrogen and electrification, with both resulting in similar costs and levels of carbon reduction.

We set out our vision for Scotland to become a leading hydrogen nation in the production of reliable, competitive, sustainable hydrogen, securing Scotland’s future as a centre of international excellence as we establish the innovation, skills and and supply chain to underpin our energy transition.

Statement from the Scottish and UK Governments.

Records the development of Scotland's Hydro Nation policy agenda and reports on progress since the publication of the sixth annual report in 2019.

A full list of capital projects supported under the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP).

Information on closed funding invitations from the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP).

An update on the progress toward meeting the target of 11% of non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources by 2020.

Supporting Scotland’s green recovery. 

Assessment of the implications of the sectoral marine plan for offshore wind energy for designated special areas of conservation special protection areas, candidate special areas of conservation and proposed special protection areas in view of the sites' conservation objectives.

Sets out regional spatial baseline data for the sectoral marine plan for offshore wind energy and describes the information used in the planning and assessment process.

Aims to identify sustainable plan options for the future development of commercial-scale offshore wind energy in Scotland, including deep water wind technologies, and covers both Scottish inshore and offshore waters.

Sets out the changes between the draft and final sectoral marine plan for offshore wind energy in accordance with Section 18(3) of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”).

Islands communities impact assessment for the sectoral marine plan for offshore wind energy.

Equalities impact assessment for the sectoral marine plan for offshore wind energy.

Analysis of responses to the consultation on the offshore wind policy statement which ran from December 2019 to April 2020.

Sets out our ambitions for the future of offshore wind in Scotland and sets the context for Marine Scotland's Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind, which will be published in parallel with this document.

Funding for a just transition to net-zero.

Low carbon investment fast-tracked to support COVID-19 recovery.

Support package to help deliver net zero future.

Helping Scotland move to affordable, low carbon heating.

Summary of evidence around the potential impacts of heat network regulation in Scotland.

Fairer Scotland Duty assessment (FSDIA) for the Heat Networks (Scotland Bill).

Island communities impact assessment (ICIA) for the Heat Networks (Scotland Bill).

Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) for the Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill.

Equality impact assessment (EQIA) for the Heat Networks (Scotland Bill).

Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the Heat Networks (Scotland Bill).

A Culture Strategy for Scotland shows how important culture is to Scotland’s prosperity and sets the future direction for supporting culture in Scotland.

Talks to accelerate action on waste.

Consultations launched on offshore wind policy and new marine plan.

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) identifies the likely significant environmental impacts of plans and policies and proposed reasonable alternatives to them.

Regional locational guidance (RLG) prepared for the draft sectoral marine plan for offshore wind energy.

The habitats regulations appraisal is completed in accordance with the Habitats Regulations that implement the EC Habitats and Birds Directives in UK waters and has been completed for the sectoral marine plan for offshore wind.

The sustainability appraisal considers the potential environmental, social and economic effects of the sectoral marine plan, including potential development scenarios and alternatives to them, drawing on information contained in the SEA, HRA and SEIA.

A social and economic impact assessment to support development of the draft sectoral marine plan for offshore wind energy.

The Plan aims to identify the most sustainable plan options for the future development of commercial-scale offshore wind energy in Scotland.

A consultation on the draft offshore wind policy statement.

A report to analyse responses to the call for evidence on the future of low carbon heat for off gas buildings.

A report advising the Scottish Government on legislative support for heat networks.

An update on the progress toward meeting the target of 11% of non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources by 2020.

Analysis of information provided by respondents to the consultation where we were seeking views on the eligibility of Energy Intensive Industries to be exempted from indirect costs associated with renewable electricity policies.

Our decision following consideration of the information provided by respondents to a consultation seeking views on the eligibility of Energy Intensive Industries to be exempted from indirect costs associated with renewable electricity policies.

Important step taken towards clean energy for transport. 

Funding for world’s most powerful tidal turbine.

Third round of funding is now open for applications.

Extra funding to make homes warmer and promote carbon reduction.

Background information report on the Scottish economy to help inform the early deliberations of the Just Transition Commission.

In 2018, we reviewed and consulted on our good practice principles for: community benefits from onshore renewable energy developments, shared ownership of onshore renewable energy developments, and community benefits from offshore renewable energy developments. 

Funding to support low carbon projects.

Equivalent of 74.6% of gross electricity consumption was from renewable sources.

This publication, prepared by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), presents estimates of the quantity and value of ten services being supplied by Scottish natural capital.

Based on Scotland's energy strategy, this document looks at the ways in which Scotland's electricity and gas network infrastructure will continue to support the energy transition.

Up to £10 million to help commercial deployment of tidal projects.

Shared ambitions by Scotland and New Jersey.   

Draft version, for the purposes of public consultation, of the Scottish Government's Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Offshore renewable Energy Developments.

Draft version, for the purposes of public consultation, of the Scottish Government's Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments.

Draft version, for the purposes of public consultation, of Scottish Government's Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments.

The annual report outlines a number of new and emerging initiatives on renewable heat.

This document provides guidance on applying for consents and marine licences for offshore renewable energy projects within both Scottish Territorial Waters (out to 12 nautical miles (“nm”)) and Scottish Offshore Waters (12-200 nm). It updates and replaces the draft Marine Scotland Licensing and Consents Manual published in 2013.

In March 2018 we published a consultation asking for views on an amendment to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order (the ROS) 2009 which would enable additional capacity at certain large hydro-electric generating stations in Scotland.

£2 million grant to support offshore innovation.

This consultation seeks views on the proposal to enable additional capacity at certain large hydro-electric generating stations in Scotland.

Scotland's first energy strategy sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for the future energy system in Scotland.

The report outlines a number of new and emerging initiatives on renewable heat.