Results from TIMES model for total greenhouse gas emissions: EIR release

Under the terms of the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs (information not held), the Scottish Government is not required to provide information which it does not have. The Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested in the first part of your inquiry. The TIMES model is used for a different purpose: to input into policy formation by considering a wide range of potential technological and demand changes and to consider costs and impact of these changes upon the energy system as a whole. It is not used to compile an aggregate impact assessment of committed policies in the manner described in your request.

This exception is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception. While we recognise that there may be some public interest in information about the Scottish TIMES model, clearly we cannot provide information which we do not hold.