Committee News Release
CENT 02/2003
Thursday 13 November 2003
ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE LAUNCHES INQUIRY
INTO RENEWABLE ENERGY IN SCOTLAND
The Enterprise and Culture Committee today announced an open call for evidence for its forthcoming inquiry into renewable energy in Scotland.
Public interest to date has focused around the development of wind farms. While this inquiry will allow the Committee to take evidence from a number of public petitioners about wind farms, members also want to have a broad debate about all forms of renewable energy.
Committee Convener Alasdair Morgan said:
“The development, testing and manufacture of renewable energy technologies have the potential to be a key growth area for Scotland. We have research and development expertise, combined with years of experience of manufacturing and some of the best natural resources in the world. We need to ensure that we are capitalising on that competitive advantage to the benefit of the whole country.
“Members of the Committee have been receiving large amounts of mail on this subject, and we are aware of the strength of feeling across the country. That is why it is important that we hold a full inquiry which will enable us to scrutinise the evidence before we reach conclusions.”
The remit of the inquiry is:
To inquire into the development of renewable energy in Scotland.
Specifically, the Committee will wish to ask the following questions, which are intended to be illustrative rather than prescriptive:
• Will the Executive targets be met, under current circumstances,
and are they appropriate?
- how were they arrived at by the Executive?
- what is the relationship with UK targets?
- have assumptions been made about the contributions of different sectors?
- what are the opportunities and implications for the economy in achieving
the targets?
- what are the implications if the executive’s targets are not
met?
• If not, why not? (What are the current barriers, and what action needs to be taken to ensure that the targets are met?)
global issues
- the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) and the UK energy legislative
framework
- the electricity market
- the transmission network (including the Scottish national grid)
local issues
- What opportunities are there/should there be for local community involvement
in, and economic benefit from, renewable energy schemes?
examination by sector
- onshore wind (inc. planning issues, community development)
- offshore wind (inc. UK strategy, role for energy ITI?)
- wave/tidal (inc. technology issues, job potential)
- hydroelectric
- biomass
- other/longer-term (e.g. emerging technology, non-electricity)
• Are there implications for the reliability of supply if the Executive’s aspirational target is met?”
Interested individuals and organisations are invited to submit written evidence to the Committee. Submissions should not be more than 6 sides of A4. The closing date for evidence is Monday 26 January 2004. Wherever possible, please email submissions to: scottish.renewables@scottish.parliament.uk
Where email is not available, please contact Judith Evans, Senior Assistant Clerk, on 0131 348 5214, to make alternative arrangements.
An online forum which relates specifically to wind farms is available via the Scottish Parliament Live website, at:
http://www.communitypeople.net/interactive/wind.asp
BACKGROUND
What sort of evidence is the Committee looking for?
The following guidance is offered to assist those wishing to submit written evidence, and is not intended to be prescriptive.
1. Evidence submitted may be published by the Parliament, in electronic or paper form. Electronic form is preferred wherever possible. If you do not wish your submission to be made public, please state this clearly at the start of the submission. Whether or not a submission will be made public remains at the discretion of the Committee.
2. Evidence should be limited to 6 sides of A4. If your evidence is likely to be substantially longer, please contact the Clerks to discuss.
For specific committee information or information about the inquiry,
contact:
Judith Evans, Direct Tel: 0131 348 5214 (RNID Typetalk calls welcome)
Email: judith.evans@scottish.parliament.uk
or
Seán Wixted, Direct Tel: 0131 348 5230 (RNID Typetalk calls welcome)
Email: seán.wixted@scottish.parliament.uk
For further information, the media contact is:
Sally Coyne: 0131 348 6269
Out of hours: 07699 717177
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk
For specific committee information contact:
Judith Evans, Direct Tel: 0131 348 5214 (RNID Typetalk calls welcome)
Email: judith.evans@scottish.parliament.uk
For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000
For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local
call rate)
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk