This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Moves to strengthen renewables market
10/09/2004
A consultation on proposals to increase the obligation on Scottish electricity suppliers to provide renewable electricity was announced today.
The Executive, in seeking to raise the current obligation levels from 10.4% by 2010-11 to 15.4% by 2015-16, aims to secure confidence in and attract new investors to the Scottish renewables sector.
The Renewables Obligation (Scotland) requires electricity suppliers to provide an increasing share of power from renewable sources.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"The Executive is committed to promoting a wide range of renewable energy sources, thus securing economic and environmental benefits for Scotland.
"The Renewables Obligation Scotland is designed to create a renewables market for the long term. It is operating very effectively, and it is vital that we ensure its continued ability to do so.
"The proposed increases in the obligation levels should maintain investor confidence, which is vital to the continued growth of a renewables industry in Scotland.
"We are also consulting on additional measures to address risk in the market, proposals for UK trading in renewable obligation certificates and steps to increase flexibility for smaller generators.
"I hope that as many of our stakeholders as possible are able to respond to this consultation exercise."
The Renewables Obligation (Scotland), or ROS, compels licensed suppliers to provide increasing proportions of their electricity from renewable sources and applies until 2027. Suppliers have to provide evidence to the regulator (Ofgem) in the form of renewable obligation certificates that they are meeting their obligations.
The ROS operates in tandem with an identical Renewables Obligation covering England and Wales. Changes to both GB Obligations are being consulted upon concurrently.