• Kate Turner, Director of ScottishPower Renewables’ Policy and Regulatory Team
• Iain Sinclair, Executive Director at Global Energy Group
• Susie Lind, Managing Director of the BlueFloat Energy | Renantis Partnership

We are delighted to have Kate, Iain and Susie's expertise to help guide the organisation as it works to grow Scotland’s renewable energy sector and sustain its position at the forefront of the global clean energy industry while helping to manage a just transition to a net-zero energy system.

Claire Mack
Chief Executive

Scottish Renewables Partner Members

We are thrilled to announce four new Partner Members of Scottish Renewables.

EDF Renewables, Ocean Winds, ScottishPower Renewables and SSE Renewables have become the first organisations to opt-in to this new membership package and will make enhanced contributions to Scottish Renewables’ work for the overall benefit of our members and the industry. The package provides Partner Members with more profile, input into a focus group ahead of the organisation’s Board Strategy Day, regular political updates, the opportunity to work with our team on an annual thought leadership publication on behalf of the industry we represent and much more. Find out more about each Partner Member here.

If you’d be interested in learning more about Partner membership, which is running on a limited basis only in the 2022-23 membership year, please get in touch with Carol Burns, Senior Membership & Events Manager.

News release: Industry warns Chancellor that green growth is at risk unless he prioritises vital budget measures

Scottish Renewables has joined the Chief Executives of RenewableUK, Energy UK, the Nuclear Industry Association and Solar Energy UK to write a joint letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt warning him that the competitiveness of the UK as a clean energy investment destination is at severe risk unless he takes key steps in the Spring Budget to secure green growth.

In the letter, the five energy trade associations representing more than 750 companies warn the Chancellor that: “Despite our industry’s commitment to the low carbon energy transition, we are concerned that there is no clear government plan to deliver green economic growth and continue attracting clean energy investment into the UK”.

Roundtable with Secretary of State

A roundtable meeting with Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, organised by Scottish Renewables, took place at Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh last month.

Focusing on how renewable energy can contribute to the UK’s energy security, the event heard from a number of members on the challenges facing their projects, including network charging, skills shortages and the Electricity Generator Levy.

Scottish National Investment Bank meeting

Claire and Nick met with Willie Watt, Chair of the Scottish National Investment Bank, to discuss financial challenges facing green energy projects in Scotland.

The difficulty faced by SMEs wanting to obtain guarantees for work on large infrastructure projects was a focus of the discussion, and SR will be carrying out further work to address this issue in the coming weeks. If you would like to input your experience, please contact Nick.

Young Professionals Green Energy Awards 2023

Scottish Renewables’ Young Professionals Green Energy Awards will return to Glasgow on Thursday, April 27. 

The awards recognise those who have achieved beyond all expectations, those who are pioneering new ideas and have the drive and ambition to change the renewable energy industry for the better.

Nominations are open until 5pm, Thursday March 16, and are free and quick to enter!

Applicants must have been working in the renewable energy industry in Scotland for five years or fewer.

Media reaction: New Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

The UK Government recently announced it has created a new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, tasked with securing long-term energy supply, bringing down bills and halving inflation.

Responding, Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “Linking energy security and net-zero in the title of a new UK Government department sends a clear message about the direction of travel of our industry: renewable energy is not only the centre of our fight against climate change but also of our economy, with billions of pounds of investment being made in the UK every month.”

Engagement with The Herald

A number of members have raised well-founded concerns about coverage of renewable energy topics in The Herald newspaper in recent months.

In order to address this issue Nick Sharpe, SR’s Director of Communications, met with the publication’s new editor, Catherine Salmond, and set out how Scottish Renewables, as the industry body, can help journalists achieve the balance needed when writing about complex issues.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of our Communications work, please get in touch.

Blog: What will the energy agenda look like over the coming 12 months?

At Scottish Renewables we’re usually critiquing the slow pace of change in terms of policy, but have recently have been taken aback by extraordinary pivots and leftfield thinking - some of which has even made its way into statute books.

Ahead of our Net-Zero Energy Conference taking place on March 21 & 22 in Edinburgh, Chief Executive Claire Mack has written this blog on what the energy agenda may look like over the coming 12 months.

Subsea Expo

SOWEC – Supply Chain and Clusters Steering Group

The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council has established a steering group as part of its work on the supply chain. Head of Energy Transition and Supply Chain, Emma Harrick, is a member of the steering group and will support the development of the roadmap of activities going forward. 

Please contact Emma for further details.

Zero Waste Scotland 'Circular Steel in Scotland: Building the Evidence’ event

The Energy Transition and Supply Chain team recently attended a circular steel workshop hosted by Zero Waste Scotland. The event brought together a range of stakeholders from different sectors to discuss the critical material and how Scotland can advance circular practices to reach net-zero targets.

National Planning Framework 4 update

Scottish Ministers adopted and published the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) at 09:00 AM on February 13, meaning it is now part of the Statutory Development Plan, while also replacing NPF3 and Scottish Planning Policy.

Planning Minister Tom Arthur MSP and the Chief Planner have written to stakeholders (February 8) to provide advice on the NPF4 transition to the new development plan system and on policy considerations.

Supporting early action towards the delivery of NPF4 The Scottish Government is working with Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) to reach out to national development partners with a view to identifying high-level actions and next steps, building on the work SFT delivered in 2022 which SR contributed to.

NatureScot has published Developing with Nature Guidance. This new guidance aims to encourage developers and planners to deliver more for biodiversity as an everyday part of their development. Related, we have formed an SR Ecology sub-group.

SR is continuing to proactively build on our successful programme of NPF4 engagement as members of the newly formed Scottish Government Planning Performance – Applicant Stakeholder Group which first met on February 21.

Read more: SR Briefing: NPF4 and Renewable Energy in Scotland 
and SR Planning Conference Presentation

Proposed Flow Country World Heritage Site (WHS) and Boundary

The Flow Country Partnership (FCP) has confirmed that the proposed Flow Country WHS bid has been submitted to be considered by UNESCO in mid-2024. The final boundary shape files, accompanying license note, and Draft Management Plan are available via the Site Boundary and Nomination Documentation.

The FCP advises that the Draft Management Plan is as updated following consultation but has not yet been updated to reflect NPF4, FCP intends to update in due course. Now that the bid has been submitted any further consideration given will need to work along the guidelines that the FCP receives from UNESCO. Assuming that the proposed WHS is inscribed, the management plan will be subject to a final consultation before adoption.

SR will be continuing to proactively engage with members, Flow Country Partnership and stakeholders relating to the proposed WHS and boundary. 

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

Blog: Bravery, realism and just do it: Scottish Renewables’ Planning Conference 2023

Last month we welcomed industry, local and national government, academia, public bodies and community groups to our sold-out Planning Conference in Glasgow.

There was a real buzz about the long-promised Energy Strategy & Just Transition Plan currently out for consultation and the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) finally being published. But the big question on the lips of everyone attending the conference was whether these policies will provide the strategy we need to accelerate the deployment of onshore and offshore wind and allow us to reach our net-zero targets.

Read more in this blog.

Onshore Wind Strategic Leadership Group (OWSLG) 

In December 2022, The Scottish Government published its final Onshore Wind Policy Statement (OnWPS). This introduced an ambition that Scotland will have 20GW of installed onshore wind capacity operational by 2030.

Following the OnWPS publication and a roundtable (September 8) with Michael Matheson MSP Cabinet Secretary for Net-zero, Energy and Transport, The Scottish Government has formed the Onshore Wind Strategic Leadership Group (OWSLG) which will be tasked with developing the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal (SOWSD) to deliver the additional 12GW of onshore wind needed to reach the ambition of 20GW by 2030.

The SLG will consist of industry experts The Scottish Government have invited to author sections of the SOWSD. SR’s CEO Claire Mack has been asked to Co-Chair the OWSLG with the Cabinet Secretary, and Morag Watson, SR’s Director of Policy, has accepted the invitation to become Sector Deal Lead, with responsibility for coordinating industry input, supported by Mark Richardson, SR Senior Policy Manager, into the development process.

The Scottish Government convened the first OWSLG meeting on February 22, to agree the Terms of Reference, forward meeting timetable and establish the roles of The Scottish Government appointed SLG theme leads.

Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal (SOWSD)

Scottish Renewables is leading a conversation between the renewable energy industry and Scottish Government in relation to the establishment of the SOWSD. The SOWSD will seek to capture the needs and ambitions of The Scottish Government and the Scottish wind industry in relation to delivering a minimum installed capacity target of 20GW of onshore wind in Scotland by 2030.

SR has commissioned BVG Associates (BVGA) to support industry in creating the SOWSD, due to be finalised this year. The first SOWSD stage was establishing with members and stakeholders the underpinning Vision Statement, published December 21, within the Onshore Wind Policy Statement (OnWPS). The OnWPS also sets out the general aims and principles of the SOWSD.

SR and BVGA, in collaboration with members, SR’s G12 & S5 Policy Advisory Groups, stakeholders and The Scottish Government have successfully delivered the SOWSD outline stage as a draft scoping document. The scope expands on the Vision to outline in detail the content of the SOWSD. The aim of the scope is to enable The Scottish Government appointed OWSLG theme leads, SR members and key stakeholders to engage in full, constructive and timely discussions on the principles that will make up the content of the full SOWSD.

SR continue to welcome member input as we collaboratively forge ahead with the development of the SOWSD. There will be continued opportunities for members to engage via SR Policy Working Groups, Policy Advisory Groups and Forums.

If you would like to discuss this, please contact Mark.

Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG)

Crown Estate Scotland announced that the successful applications to the INTOG leasing round and exclusivity award will now be late April 2023. The change to the planned delivery schedule comes after further consideration was given to the implications from the proposed changes by UK Government to Habitats Regulation Appraisal and several unanticipated process delays.

Marine Scotland anticipate that the programme will reach consultation on the draft plan in November 2023 and adoption of the final plan is estimated by June 2024.

Sectoral Marine Plan Iterative Plan Review

Marine Scotland has initiated preliminary work on assessments, including the compatibility assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Socio-Economic Impact Assessment, and Habitats Regulations Appraisal for both INTOG and SMP-OWE, and expect them to be available by the end of April.

Scottish Renewables is feeding into this work through Marine Scotland’s SMP steering group.

Please get in touch with Amy if you would like to discuss this.

Marine Scotland Consenting and Licensing Guidance for Offshore Renewables

Marine Scotland Directorate is hosting a series of online meetings to further clarify and answer any queries regarding the proposed revisions to the ‘Consenting and Licensing Guidance For Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy Applications’. 

Marine Scotland is looking for written representations on the proposed revisions by close of play on April 21. Any representations should be sent to: ms.licensingmanualfeedback@gov.scot.

ScotMER Projects

The ScotMER Syposium took place from the January 31 – February 2, highlighting the current research underway to improve the understanding of the environmental implications of offshore wind. Talks covered areas of research across ornithology, marine mammals, fish and socio-economic issues, with more than 600 registered attendees.

The seven ScotMER Evidence Maps have been published, identifying and prioritising evidence gaps associated with the planning and consenting process for offshore renewable developments. From these evidence maps, 35 projects across the receptor groups were submitted to a projects board. These projects rankings have now been released and Scottish Renewables are in discussion with Marine Scotland about the next steps.

Please contact Hettie if you would like to provide any further comments.

Highly Protected Marine Areas consultation

The Scottish Government published its consultation on Highly Protected Marine Areas: policy framework on December 12. This policy document set out by The Scottish Government describes the pursuit of developing Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) to further the protection and restoration of nature beyond that of Marine Protected Areas. The Scottish Government has committed to designate 10% of seas as HPMAs by 2026 as part of the Bute House Agreement, with the target of reaching 30% varying levels of protection of Scottish seas by 2030.

Scottish Renewables is currently collating the initial responses from members and a first draft consultation will be available shortly.

Please contact Hettie if you would like to provide any further comments.

Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan consultation response

Scottish Renewables was encouraged to see both offshore wind and marine renewables recognised in the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan (ESJTP) as key players in The Scottish Government’s net-zero journey.

Morag Watson, SR Director of Policy, and Sue Barr, Chair of the Marine Energy Council, met with Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net-Zero, Energy & Transport, on February 28 to discuss Scotland’s world leading marine energy sector and the need for a clear deployment pathway for marine energy in Scotland

The content of this meeting and the early engagement sessions regarding the questions posed by the ESJTP, particularly in regard to targets/ambitions for offshore, wave and tidal. Scottish Renewables will be used to produce an initial draft to answer these questions, however, if you would like to discuss this further, please contact Amy.

EVOLVE Project Findings Published

The official results from the pan-European EVOLVE project involving world-leading academics, research institutions and technology developers have been released, providing a firm evidence base supporting the acceleration of ocean energy in Europe’s future energy system.

The spatial modelling study focused on three specific territories – Great Britain, Ireland and Portugal, identifying close to 60GW of practically viable wave energy and 10GW of tidal stream energy. More specifically, results show resources of 34.8GW in Great Britain, 18.8GW in Ireland and 15.5GW in Portugal.

Projections further indicate that 10GW of ocean energy installed in Great Britain alone could save £1.46bn per year in power system dispatch costs, with emissions reduced by up to 1.05 MtCO2 (Millions of metric tonnes).

Call for papers now open for Floating Offshore Wind 2023

After a sell-out event in 2022, Scottish Renewables and RenewableUK are pleased to announce that Floating Offshore Wind will return to Aberdeen on October 4 and 5. A call for papers is now open inviting new innovative ideas, technologies and solutions that will drive the commercialisation and industrialisation of floating wind. View the topics and submit your paper by 5pm on March 24.

REMA Stakeholder Forums

Andrew attended stakeholder meetings organised by both Scottish and UK governments to discuss some of the key policy options in REMA. The Scottish Government workshop aimed to address how REMA is likely to impact Scotland’s ability to meet its climate targets and a range of issues were covered including locational pricing, CfD and CM reforms, and how policy options would be likely to affect consumers.

The meeting was the first meeting of the Market Participants Forum (MPF), a representative group of market participants and trade bodies from across the energy industry. The MPF meeting focused on options to decouple electricity and gas prices. There was a strong consensus from MPF members that neither the option of a Green Power Pool or a split wholesale market should be implemented.

If you would like to speak about either forum, please get in touch.

Capacity Market 2023 consultation

Scottish Renewables has prepared a response to DESNZ’s consultation on the Capacity Market (CM). The proposals in the consultation aim to strengthen security of supply and better align the CM with net-zero. SR broadly supports DESNZ’s proposals, and we reiterated the need for reforms to ensure the policy objective of a technology neutral CM is realised.

If you would like to discuss SR’s response further, please contact Andrew.

Energy Code Governance Reform

Ofgem published a call for input regarding the Energy Code Reform which closed on February 1. Ofgem sought initial views on potential code consolidation as part of the approach to implementing the reforms. It also sought views on the content of the code manager licence conditions and the role of stakeholders in the new governance framework

SR welcomed views from members on this call for input and have published our response letter on our website. This includes feedback on the design principles, code consolidation, code manager licencing and Stakeholder Advisory Forums.

Holistic Network Design (HND)

Scottish Renewables attended National Grid ESO's HND follow up event in Glasgow on February 14 and 15. NGESO is continuing to keep developers updated through different stakeholder engagement sessions. If you have any concerns about the HND that you would like us to raise, please get in touch.

Connections Reform - '2-stage' connection offers process

Scottish Renewables attended National Grid ESO's webinar on '2-stage' connection offers on February 17. ESO has announced reforms into how to connect into the transmission grid. A new five point plan will look to speed up the current connections queue. To begin initiating this plan, from March 1, ESO will implement a new Two-step offer process for applications in England and Wales. ESO hope this will reduce uncertainty for developers in the longer term as it applies its new modelling and storage assumptions. In Scotland, these changes will be applied without the need to implement a new two-step process.

Permitted Development Rights

On February 6, The Scottish Government held a workshop on the Permitted Development Rights (PDR) currently available to licence holders for the generation, transmission or supply of electricity. The Scottish Government was interested in hearing stakeholder's views on the extent of the current PDR, it is considering potential changes to existing PDR and will look to consult this Spring.

If you are interested in this area of work, please contact Stephen.