Claire Mack, Chief Executive at Scottish Renewables, said: “The Government’s focus on improving Britain’s infrastructure is encouraging, as is its commitment to funding COP26, which will hopefully take place in Glasgow. Scotland’s renewable energy sector can help to power Britain’s infrastructure and deliver on the Government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions.
“It is concerning, however, that the 17,700 people who work in Scotland’s renewables sector have not been given the clarity and certainty on the future of their industry that they need.
“Continued uncertainty over the future of the Renewable Heat Incentive and the inadequacy of the replacement of the Feed-In Tariff are troubling for low-carbon heat and small-scale renewables companies respectively.
“The Government’s continued refusal to unleash the billions of pounds worth of socioeconomic benefits associated with allowing onshore wind and solar PV to compete on an even playing field within our energy system is also a massive missed opportunity.
“The Chancellor said that ‘the challenge of decarbonisation is real’, but pledged just £30 million extra for projects aimed at achieving the Government’s net zero target. It is crucial that the National Infrastructure Strategy promised for later this year better reflects the magnitude of the task.”
