These vital upgrades are not only key to unlocking the economic benefits the clean energy transition can bring to some of Scotland’s most remote areas but also for reducing consumer energy bills and ending our reliance on imported gas.

I have written to the Prime Minister and First Minister urging that Nick Winser's recommendations are urgently implemented in a joint mission by the UK and Scottish Governments, in particular the recommendation to deliver a focused information campaign on the need for grid refresh.

You can read our full response to Nick Winser's report and my letter to the Prime Minister and First Minister on our website.

Claire Mack
Chief Executive

News release: Shortlist announced for the Net-Zero Energy Transition Awards 2023

Last month we announced the finalists for the Net-Zero Energy Transition Awards 2023 which will take place on August 24 in Aberdeen.

The black-tie event will see 30 individuals, companies and projects from across Scotland’s renewable energy supply chain compete to scoop prizes in eight categories recognising their efforts to deliver the energy transition.

Emma Harrick, Head of Energy Transition and Supply Chain at Scottish Renewables, said: “Looking at the shortlist, it is clear this year’s event is going to be another fantastic celebration of Scotland’s diverse supplier network across the energy transition, and I look forward to celebrating their achievements in August.”

Limited tables are available - book them at the member rate now.

Westminster engagement

Chief Executive Claire Mack and Public Affairs Manager Jack Norquoy met with Ed Miliband MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Energy in Westminster earlier this month.

Presentation to African delegation

A delegation of African energy ministers visited SR member Arup’s Edinburgh offices last month as part of a tour organised by the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade.

Director of Communications and Strategy Nick Sharpe presented to the group on Scotland’s renewable energy story and tackled questions on the viability of an inertia-free grid, market mechanisms for green hydrogen and pumped storage hydro.

Get in touch with Nick if you would like to find out more.

Women’s Utilities Network blog

SR’s ongoing commitment to diversity was highlighted in a blog written for the Women’s Utilities Network last month.

The piece highlighted our ongoing New Voices campaign, sponsored by Ørsted. In it, Nick wrote: “The skills demands on the renewable energy industry are very real – but we’re trying to solve them with one hand tied behind our back”.

Read more on the Women’s Utilities Network website.

General Election Priorities Survey

There are many essential decisions that the next UK Government must take to ensure our clean energy transition is complete.

Scottish Renewables is encouraging all members to complete a short survey about what you believe should be prioritised in our General Election Manifesto. 

Please complete the survey by Friday, September 1.

Ministerial engagement

Claire and Jack met with Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy to discuss industry priorities for The Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan and upcoming Programme for Government 2023-24, including electricity network upgrades, supply chain and ports strategy and heat decarbonisation. 

Jack and Emma also met with Paul Sweeney MSP to discuss the much-needed support required for the Scottish renewable energy supply chain and his work as convener of the Cross Party Group on Maritime and Shipbuilding.

Contact Jack if you would like to find out more.

News release: Nominations open for UK’s biggest renewable energy awards

Last month nominations opened for The Scottish Green Energy Awards 2023, the UK’s biggest celebration of renewable energy.

The event will return to Edinburgh on November 30 to celebrate the inspirational organisations, people and projects going above and beyond to help decarbonise Scotland’s energy system.

Chief Executive Claire Mack said: “The Scottish Green Energy Awards is an opportunity to come together and celebrate industry achievements and honour the inspirational organisations, people and projects making a real difference to the health, wealth and wellbeing of our country.”

Nominations can be submitted via our website before 5pm on Monday, September 11.

News release: Energy industry urges UK Government to reform clean power auctions

Scottish Renewables along with RenewableUK and Energy UK have written a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Grant Shapps, urging the UK Government to make urgent changes to their annual clean power auctions, known as Contracts for Difference (CfDs).

Andrew MacNish Porter, Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “The Contracts for Difference scheme has played a key role in renewable energy being the cheapest form of electricity in the UK. Building on this success, the renewable energy industry is poised to make significant investments in projects with the potential to deliver economic growth and create thousands of high-skilled jobs across the UK.”

DESNZ REMA Markets Participant Forum

Scottish Renewables attended the latest meeting of the DESNZ REMA Markets Participant Forum which focused on policy options to mobilise mass investment in flexibility and low-carbon generation. The session was constructive and there was broad support from participants for the policy options being considered by DESNZ, including deemed and ‘Cap and Floor’ CfD models.

If you have questions about the meeting or the Forum in general, please get in touch.

Renewables Obligation Call for Evidence on introducing Fixed Price Certificates into the UK-wide Renewables Obligation schemes

The UK Government, The Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive have jointly issued a call for evidence on introducing Fixed Priced Certificates into the UK-wide Renewables Obligation schemes. The call for evidence is open until October 9.

If you have any initial comments on this consultation or would like to discuss it, please contact Andrew.

Economy and Fair Work Committee – Call for views

The Energy Transition and Supply Chain team are working alongside Jack to prepare a response to the Economy and Fair Work Committee’s call for views on what a just transition for the North East and Moray could look like. Committee members want to hear what support is needed to maximise the benefits for the community, how the Just Transition Fund is working and whether it is achieving its aims.

Members are invited to share views on this response with Sophie by Monday, August 28.

Visas - Meeting with UK Chamber of Shipping

To learn more about how the end of the Offshore Wind Workers Concession is impacting vessels in the renewables sector Emma recently met with the UK Chamber of Shipping.

Commenting on the issue, Emma said: “Ending the concession should have seen an increase in economic opportunities for UK companies and more jobs for those working in offshore wind.

“However, the renewable energy industry has instead seen a process that was once simple and straightforward become a lengthy and costly exercise which is not only reducing the availability of qualified offshore workers but having vessel owners explore opportunities outside the UK."

For more information or to share your experiences with Scottish Renewables, contact Emma.

Meeting with the 5G Centre

Scottish Renewables met with The Scotland 5G Centre, a public-funded organisation that provides free services to highlight the potential and benefits of 5G.

5G connectivity solutions can transform how organisations operate, reducing cost and energy savings, increasing operational efficiencies, enabling new services and providing new opportunities for businesses - creating a more competitive market.

This may be helpful to members operating in rural areas. For more information, see The Scotland 5G Centre website.

Letter to Stakeholders from Minister and Chief Planner

Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, and Fiona Simpson, Scottish Government Chief Planner, have written to stakeholders to provide an update on progress towards reforming the planning system and wider place-based working, including community-led regeneration and the Place Based Investment Programme.

SR continues to engage via the recently formed Planning Infrastructure Place Advisory Group (and Reference Group) and the Planning Performance Applicant Stakeholder Group.

DPEA Guidance note 25 published

The Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) Guidance note 25 – Selecting in-person, virtual, or hybrid procedure for pre-examination meetings, hearing and inquiries has been published online.

Read Scottish Renewables’ final response on our website (May, 2022).

Get in touch with Morag if you would like to discuss this.

NatureScot guidance updated

The NatureScot guidance on 'Advice on carbon-rich soils and priority peatland habitats in development management' has been updated:

• The guidance is aligned with NPF4, including the mitigation hierarchy (including the level of offsetting NS expects), and enhancement
• Clearer advice on how NS identifies priority peatland and assesses whether a development will result in impacts that raise issues of national interest
• Advice on what NS will comment on and what information they require from developers to be able to do so
• Signposting of actions for NS staff when considering a proposal that may affect priority peatland

NS expects to update this guidance further to align with NPF4, Policy 3, and Scottish Government expectations.

News Release: UK must support investment in pumped storage hydro, industry tells PM

In a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Scottish Renewables and the British Hydropower Association highlighted that by supporting investment in long-duration electricity storage the UK Government can reduce consumer bills, CO₂ emissions and the UK’s reliance on imported gas.

Andrew MacNish Porter, Policy Manager, said: “As we move towards a cleaner, greener future with more and more renewable power added to the electricity network we know that long-duration electricity storage, such as pumped storage hydro, will be essential for ensuring energy security and keeping bills low for consumers.”

Andrew was interviewed by BBC Radio Inverness where he called on the UK Government to urgently support the deployment of long-duration electricity storage, including pumped storage hydro.

Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal (SOWSD) and Onshore Wind Strategic Leadership Group (OWSLG) 

Work is continuing apace on the SOWSD as it enters its final drafting stage. OWSLG leads have given their feedback on the latest draft and their comments have been reconciled into a new draft. This draft has been sent to Scottish Government ministers for review. The draft will then be revised again to include ministerial feedback and will then be be circulated to members. We expect this to happen w/c 14 August. If you wish to comment on the draft, please ensure you are signed up to either the SR Onshore Wind or Planning Forum to receive the link.

Contact Morag if you would like to discuss this further.

Permitted Development Rights Review – Phase 3

The Scottish Government is currently conducting a substantial review of Permitted Development Rights (PDR). Phase 3 focuses on renewable energy equipment (including heat pumps, solar panels and small-scale wind turbines), replacement windows and electricity network infrastructures.

With the assistance of Brodies LLP, SR has produced a first draft response to this consultation. Members’ input is required to finalise our response.

Please email Morag with tracked changes by Monday, August 7.

Media reaction: Drax approved for new £500m Cruachan pumped storage hydro project

Drax Group announced it has secured development consent from The Scottish Government for its plans to build a new £500m underground pumped storage hydro plant at its existing Cruachan facility in Argyll.

Responding, Morag Watson, Director of Policy at Scottish Renewables, said: “Today’s announcement from Drax and The Scottish Government is not only exciting news for Cruachan power station and the wider renewable energy industry, it’s a really positive step forward for the transition to net-zero in Scotland.

“Long-duration electricity storage, such as pumped storage hydro, will be essential for ensuring energy security and keeping energy bills low for consumers as we decarbonise our energy system. And the extension to the plant at Cruachan is one vital step towards maximising the benefits available from this technology.”

Media reaction: Impact of Norfolk Boreas decision on UK’s Net-Zero ambitions

In its interim report for January to June 2023, Vattenfall announced that due to higher inflation and capital costs increasing by up to 40% that it is stopping development of its 1.4GW Norfolk Boreas offshore wind project.

Scottish Renewables’ media reaction to this announcement labelling it ‘a major wake up call for the UK Government’, featured prominently across national and trade media. An article submitted by Chief Executive Claire Mack featured as part of a news article in the Sunday Times on July 30.

National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2)

Meeting minutes from the first NMP2 Steering Group meeting (April 25) attended by SR are now available. The meeting focused on gaining the Steering Group’s input into the SEA scoping report. The purpose of the Marine Directorate-led Steering Group is to:

• Provide technical advice on the statutory assessments,
• Facilitate access to data and evidence to support the assessments; and
• Review and comment on outputs, such as the assessment methodologies and assessment conclusions

Further, the recording of the first National Marine Planning Forum (June 15) which Mark Richardson, Senior Policy Manager – Offshore Wind Enabling, attended on behalf of SR members is now available on Marine Directorate’s Youtube channel. To receive updates, subscribe here.

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Draft Delivery Plan – Marine Workshop

SR attended The Scottish Government’s Draft Delivery Plan Marine Workshop (July 21), allowing extended stakeholders the opportunity for input to the current draft delivery plan actions.

The plan is set to cover the next five years of delivery and will include an adaptive management approach informed by updated monitoring and evidence from the marine environment. All actions are focused towards The Scottish Government’s ambition for 30% of marine environments to be protected by 2030, to support nature restoration by 2045. The consultation and delivery plan is expected to be launched in early autumn.

Please email Hettie if you would like to find out more.

New publication for communications professionals

If you have any questions, or would like to talk about our communications work on offshore wind, please contact Nick.

Media reaction: Ocean Energy and Net Zero report

The Policy and Innovation Group at the University of Edinburgh released a new report 'Ocean Energy and Net Zero: Policy Support for the Cost Effective Delivery of 12GW Wave and Tidal Stream by 2050' which outlines the importance of providing targeted policy and financial support for innovation programmes and their role in lowering the overall costs associated with delivering a successful wave and tidal stream sector.

Responding, Morag Watson, Director of Policy, said: “The UK Government must significantly invest in Scotland’s world-leading wave and tidal sectors in order for these technologies to be developed at scale and, as today’s report makes clear, deliver up to £41 billion of value to the UK economy while bringing high-quality jobs to coastal and island communities as well as important socio-economic benefits.”

Crown Estate Scotland launches market engagement survey for tidal and wave energy sectors

Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland, will carry out a market engagement survey of developers working in the tidal and wave energy sectors. The survey aims to gather views and ideas from a range of developers who are working to produce and bring to market wave and tidal technologies, with the information set to help inform Crown Estate Scotland’s plans to support future leasing.

The engagement survey will: assess inclination amongst developers for future leasing opportunities; request individual project updates; seek to understand development plans and schedules; and gather views on how improvements could be made to facilitate development of the tidal and wave sectors.  

HNRS Permitting Workshop  

Ruth Bush of Ramboll attended the Heat Network Regulations Scotland - Permitting Workshop on June 20 at Victoria Quay as a representative of Scottish Renewables. The workshop explored industry’s expectations and need for permitting with regards to heat networks and the desirability of exclusivity to operate heat networks in a defined area, long-term. Following the workshop, Scottish Renewables is seeking a meeting with The Scottish Government to understand its plans for this issue going forward.

Heat Summit 2023

Scottish Rnewables' Heat Summit 2023, held in partnership with BE-ST (Built Environment - Smarter Transformation), will take place on September 14 in Hamilton.

This free event, which replaces our Heat Conference for 2023, will cover:

• Energy Efficiency and building fabric in relation to the decarbonisation of heat
• How to take current thinking forward into workable heat policy  
• Creating a more rounded view of tackling the heat transition by viewing technology and building upgrades as a package  
• Developing a clearer picture for Government, users and consumers of how they can play a role in reducing Scotland’s heating emissions

The event will also include a tour of the BE-ST facility (formerly the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre).

Registration is essential and tickets are limited to two per organisation.

Holistic Network Design (HND) - HND Follow Up Exercise (HNDFUE)

Scottish Renewables attended various meetings regarding the HNDFUE throughout July.

The HND Impact Assessment overview meeting on July 4, the 1st Central Design Group Consultative Board meeting on July 6, in-person HNDFUE workshops on July 18 and 19 and a 2nd Central Design Group Consultative Board meeting on July 25.

Although the discussions at these meetings were confidential, if you have any concerns regarding the HND, please contact Stephen.

Consultation on UKG Strategy and Policy Statement Consultation (SPS)

Scottish Renewables responded to the UK governments consultation on its Strategy and Policy Statement (SPS).

The UK Government published its consultation on May 10, 2023, seeking views on its proposed Strategy and Policy Statement for energy policy in Great Britain.

The Strategy and Policy Statement is developed in accordance with the Energy Act 2013 and sets out the government’s strategic priorities and other main considerations of its energy policy; the policy outcomes to be achieved as a result of the implementation of that policy; and the roles and responsibilities of those who are involved in the implementation of that policy.

Ofgem and the Future System Operator, once established, will be required to have regard to the strategic priorities in the Strategy and Policy Statement when carrying out their functions. They must also carry out their respective regulatory functions in the manner that the Secretary of State or the Authority (as the case may be) considers is best calculated to further the delivery of the policy outcomes.

Scottish Renewables recently welcomed the upcoming change to Ofgem’s remit to include net-zero as part of the current Energy Bill. Alongside this introduction, the Strategy and Policy Statement for Energy is a very welcome development.

Industry has been calling for the publication of the SPS for some time, and this is a positive development for the sector, given the many issues that will need to be addressed to meet our net-zero ambitions.

Connections reform

National Grid ESO (NGESO) launched its connections reform consultation on June 13.

Scottish Renewables final response response to the ESO’s consultation on the Connections Reform is now on our website.

ESO recognise the challenges currently facing its connections customers and the need to update the connections application process. As a result, it has launched the Connections Reform project to address these challenges and put its customers and stakeholders at the heart of this change.

SR has been actively engaging with members since the consultation was published and as part of our engagement organised a Connections Reform Working Group/Workshop that took place on July 24 to discuss and gather member’s views to input into our response. We also attended a Connections reform webinar organised by RenewableUK on July 20.

Connections are a topic of significant interest across the industry and government. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this in more detail, please contact Stephen.

Consultation on the Early-Stage Assessment for Anticipatory Investment

Scottish Renewables has prepared a response to Ofgems consultation on the Early-Stage Assessment for Anticipatory Investment.

We have welcomed the opportunity to respond to this consultation as well as Ofgem’s willingness to discuss the best way to deliver the necessary coordinated infrastructure as set out in the Offshore Transmission Network Review (OTNR) and designed in the Holistic Network Design (HND) and Follow Up Exercise (HNDFUE).

We support the principle of delivering coordinated infrastructure as delivering the best long-term solution for electricity customers and communities hosting electricity infrastructure. We welcome Ofgem’s intent to tackle barriers to delivery of offshore coordinated infrastructure.

Consultation on the Regulatory Framework, including Market Arrangements, for Offshore Hybrid Assets: Multi-Purpose Interconnectors and Non-Standard Interconnectors

Scottish Renewables prepared a response to Ofgem’s consultation on the Regulatory Framework, including Market Arrangements, for Offshore Hybrid Assets: Multi-Purpose Interconnectors and Non-Standard Interconnectors.

Scottish Renewables welcomed both consultations and believe they represent an important step forward to developing Multi-Purpose Interconnectors (MPIs) in Great Britain (GB).

We continue to believe that MPIs will have an important role in delivering net-zero at least cost to the consumer and meeting the Government ambitions of 50GW of offshore wind and 18GW of interconnection by 2030.

For further information, please contact Stephen.

TNUoS Task Force 

Scottish Renewables attended a meeting of the TNUoS Task Force on July 27.

Members can find all relevant information about the Task Force such as meeting papers, presentations, webinars, and podcasts, on the charging futures webpage.

Scottish Renewables will be actively engaging with our members on this in the upcoming weeks. 

Ofgem Local Governance Working Groups 

Scottish Renewables attended Ofgems Local Governance Working Group on Markets and Operations on July 12.

These working groups are in relation to Ofgems consultation on the Future of Local Energy Institutions and Governance which we responded to in May.

The working groups are intended to explore elements of the option development in detail and help to build the evidence base to inform Ofgems decision. As such, they will run for multiple sessions over the next few months.

For further information, please contact Stephen.

Price-based competitive allocation for low carbon hydrogen call for evidence

Scottish Renewables is currently working on a response to the DESNZ Price-based competitive allocation for low carbon hydrogen: call for evidence. The deadline for this call for evidence is August 11. Any member wishing to comment should contact Morag without delay.