Response to the Climate Change Committee: progress reducing emissions – report to Parliament 2021

8. Power

8.1 Set out an updated assessment of how much renewable and low-carbon electricity generation will be required to meet Net Zero in Scotland and contribute cost-effectively to Net Zero in the UK, with a clear trajectory to 2045.

Timing: 2022

Primary responsibility: Scottish Government

Scottish Government response: partially accept

Assessments of how much renewable and low-carbon electricity generation required to meet Net Zero in Scotland will be assessed as part of the Scottish Government's work to develop energy scenarios. There is no single answer to this question as any trajectory will depend on decisions around electrification of key technologies such as heat in buildings, transport, industry, etc. Work on the next climate change plan will set out estimated levels of electrification and energy demands across all sectors and help identify the likely trajectories of required renewable and low-carbon electricity generation.

8.2 Complete the definition and enforcement of a planning and consenting scheme for onshore wind and other low carbon generation in a manner that is consistent with other policies on land use, supporting repowering and life extension of existing wind power in Scotland, and aligning with adaptation priorities under the Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. Ensure treatment of network developments that is consistent with ambitions for development of low carbon generation.

Timing: 2022

Primary responsibility: Scottish Government

Scottish Government response: partially accept

Wording of this recommendation is ambiguous and it is not entirely clear what is proposed. We accept the need to bring forward a finalised NPF4, a draft of which was laid before parliament and opened for public consultation on 10 November. Draft NPF4 policy 19 'Green Energy' is intended to actively enable renewable energy developments, including solar and wind repowering, setting a framework for local development plans and decision making to inform decision on development proposals. The proposed national development 12 'Strategic Renewable Electricity Generation and Transmission Infrastructure' would establish the need for large scale grid and renewable electricity generation projects throughout Scotland. Consultation on the draft NPF4 closed 31 March. We are considering all responses to the consultation, including those from the CCC and will lay a finalised NPF4 for approval by the Scottish Parliament before it is adopted by Ministers. Following its adoption, NPF4 will form part of the statutory development plan, the primary basis for decisions made through Scotland's planning system, and will be supported by a delivery programme.

8.3 In conjunction with the network owners and system operator, outline what will be required to ensure adequate electricity supply resilience across Scotland in the late 2020s and into the 2030s as thermal generation in Scotland is retired.

Timing: 2024

Primary responsibility: Scottish Government

Scottish Government response: we have not been able to accept at this point in time, the activity is reserved

Security of supply is a reserved matter and is delivered by National Grid ESO across the whole of GB under regulation from the independent energy regulator Ofgem. Ultimately while Scottish Government has a very strong interest in this area it does not have the powers to compel either the system operator or the network owners to undertake such work.