The journey to a greener, fairer, net-zero economy is
accelerating as the Bute House Agreement, the shared policy
programme between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green
Party, marks its second anniversary.
In the past year, there has been an 8% growth in renewables
capacity in Scotland, more than one-and-a-half times the rate of
growth seen in the rest of the UK, and the Scottish Government
has published its draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan,
setting out a route to secure Scotland’s fastest possible fair
and just move away from fossil fuels. Analysis estimates that the
number of low carbon production jobs could rise from 19,000 in
2019 to 77,000 by 2050, meaning there will be more jobs in energy
production in 2050 than there are now.
The Scottish Government has also released an Onshore Wind Policy
Statement, confirming an ambition to more than double the
country’s onshore wind capacity, while the new National Planning
Framework 4 will help further realise Scotland’s renewable energy
potential.
To mark the anniversary, Energy Secretary and Zero Carbon Buildings
Minister officially opened the
Greengairs East windfarm in North Lanarkshire.
Energy Secretary said:
“Delivering on our climate obligations is an absolute priority
for this Government – as is our unwavering commitment to ensuring
the journey to net zero is fair and just for everyone.
“The Bute House Agreement signalled our shared commitment to
working together to build a greener, fairer and independent
Scotland. An unstable world needs more co-operation and more
constructive conversation if governments are to effectively meet
the challenges they face.
“Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine triggered an energy price
crisis which caused governments around the world to consider the
long-term future to ensure our energy security, affordability and
sustainability. The Scottish Government, underpinned by the
principles and policies of the Bute House Agreement, has set out
a very clear direction on how it can help overcome these issues
and capitalise on the enormous opportunities our energy
transition presents, while understanding that we need the UK
Government to do more in areas which are reserved.
“It is absolutely fitting therefore, that we are marking the
second anniversary of the Agreement here at the new Greengairs
East windfarm.”
Zero Carbon Buildings Minister said:
“The Bute House Agreement established a shared policy programme
that has tackling the climate emergency and supporting Scotland’s
renewable energy industries at its core, and it’s great to see
the impact that this is having.
“The energy bills crisis has hit everyone hard, particularly the
most vulnerable, and has not gone away. While the UK Government
needs to take urgent action in reserved areas, over the last year
we have set out a very clear pathway on how we can transition to
clean, green energy, to tackle the climate crisis and to
capitalise on the enormous potential we have to ensure everyone
and every household in Scotland can benefit.”
“The Bute House Agreement is also a commitment to a constructive
way of working, based on shared aims and the core principles of
building trust and good faith. Our approach to delivering a just
and fair energy transition – ensuring we work across parliament,
with the sector and with communities – is a prime example of how
this approach benefits Scotland.”
Background
Bute House Agreement
Draft Energy Strategy and
Just Transition Plan
National Planning
Framework 4
As of March 2023, Scotland had 14.5 Gigawatts (GW) of installed
renewable electricity generation capacity operational. This is a
8.1% increase from March 2022, largely due to increases in
onshore and offshore wind capacity over the course of 2022. As of
March 2023, the rest of UK had 40GW of installed renewable
generation capacity operational, a 4.7% increase from March 2022.
