Renewables heat tiny amount of Scotland's public buildings
The figures, which show that only 322 out of 24,806 public structures are warmed by green power, come after a recent report from Scottish Renewables stating that Scotland is likely to miss its 100% renewable electricity target.
Industry body Scottish Renewables, who also submitted the FoI request, labelled Scottish councils’ efforts as underwhelming, with Stephanie Clark, policy manager for Scottish Renewables, warning that Scotland is failing to make the most of its renewable technologies.
“While Scotland has made great progress in the development of renewable electricity, the heat sector continues to lag behind,” she said.
“As of 2014, the proportion of heat demand met by renewable sources stood at an estimated 3.8 per cent, against a 2020 target of 11 per cent. This leaves us well below the European average.”
The FoI figures emerge amid uncertainty over the UK’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), an industry support scheme which provides payments to households and businesses that install low-carbon heating systems, with the government suggesting in September that it would scale back the initiative.
Scottish chief planner John McNairney has defended Scotland’s stance on renewable energy, stressing that the Scottish government remains wedded to its 100% target and is not placing a cap on the support for renewable energy developments.
“We expect development plans to continue to provide spatial frameworks for onshore wind in accordance with the approach in Scottish Planning Policy,” he said in a letter sent to Scotland’s heads of planning last week.
Nearly £8m has been invested in renewable energy across Scotland, earning local authorities almost £770,000 (£768,133) from the RHI support scheme, with Highland Council boasting over 100 buildings heated by renewables, 81 of which are schools.
Over two-thirds of the £8m has been given to schools, with renewable energy now heating 225 educational establishments, along with 17 leisure centres, 17 care homes and 63 other public buildings.
