WORKSTREAM: HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL OF RENEWABLES

Chair:

Forbes McKay, Account Manager, Logica

Speakers:

Alison Kay, Commercial Director, Transmission, National Grid

Councillor Angus Campbell, Vice-Convener, Comhairle nan Eilsean Siar

David Cameron, Chief Technical Officer, Scottish Renewable Forum

The workstream covered the issues of the grid, planning and skills which, as David Cameron noted, were identified in an SRF members’ survey last year as the three biggest barriers to the growth of renewables.

Alison Kay spoke about the work which National Grid has been doing on scenarios for renewables in Scotland which have demonstrated the high potential. She said that National Grid has identified Planning, System Capacity, the Access Regime and Network Investment frameworks as barriers and set out the action it is taking in each area.

Angus Campbell highlighted that renewable energy has been a priority for the Comhairle for 10 years because of the socio-economic benefits. The rejection of the Lewis windfarm project was a major disappointment as onshore wind would justify the investment in an interconnector which would unlock the vast marine potential. He felt that European environmental designations are being too strictly applied in Scotland and warned about the affect on marine development. He said that there is a need to re-balance priorities between green energy targets/ climate change/ socio-economic benefit, and conservation.

David Cameron talked about the skills gaps/ shortages facing the renewables industry. Some of these relate to training e.g. microgeneration installation. He explained that the various initiatives in school and universities will be too late for the 2020 renewables target. Courses are being provided, but there still seems to be a disconnect with the ‘demand pull’ from industry – perhaps companies want more business experience. Fast-tracking recruitment from other industries and countries might be a solution.

The discussion began with questions on the need for the Beauly-Denny line, if it would be ready for marine and whether an offshore grid was an alternative.  Alison Kay said that it is absolutely key in any renewable energy scenario, it is already booked up for generation in the Highlands.

AK was asked if English consumers would begin to resent paying for Scottish renewables – she said that the subsidy costs issue was starting to get some traction across the UK; a question was put about the capacity that National Grid could free up in the short-term with connect and manage with National Grid saying that this would depend on Ofgem, but much is also stuck in planning.

It was suggested that local authorities should build alliances with environmentalists with a broader view e.g. WWF, Friends of the Earth, who have a different agenda from conservationists; sympathy was expressed from other industries with over-interpretation of regulations in Scotland compared to the ‘can do’ attitude in other EU countries, but it was agreed that the Scottish Government is beginning to rebalance its approach; however, SNH seems to be getting stricter e.g. in recent guidance on microgeneration.

It was suggested that an adult modern apprenticeship is needed to bridge the skills gap, with many people keen to enter the industry, but the industry reluctant to accept transferable skills. David Cameron said that this was changing.  When asked about a Scottish renewables manufacturing industry, David replied that perhaps Scotland should look to supply parts of devices, rather than the whole, and, if we can get marine technology to work in our waters, it will work anywhere.

It was agreed that there are huge opportunities in renewables, for businesses and individuals. Some barriers are being overcome. But brave decisions will still need to be taken, especially in re-balancing the clean energy and climate change imperative with the interpretation of wildlife and conservation designations. We will need every scrap of renewables, upgrade the existing infrastructure and make rapid progress on recruitment if we are to hit the 2020 targets and be ready to develop marine devices and offshore grids.