The draft Electricity Generation Policy Statement sets out the Scottish Government's position on the role of renewable electricity and fossil fuel thermal generation (coal, gas, oil) in Scotland's future energy mix. It gives a clear view on the need for both rapid expansion of renewable electricity across Scotland and the underlying requirement for new efficient thermal capacity in this low carbon generation portfolio. It is based on the latest research studies on future energy supply, storage and demand, and takes account of the changing policy context in Scotland, the UK and the EU since the Second National Planning Framework was published in June 2009.
It sets out new developments and implications in the following four key areas:
- update the position on renewable generation
- update the position on thermal electricity generation
- update the position on energy efficiency
- update the position on transmission infrastructure and interconnection
These developments and implications for electricity generation are then analysed in the light of the latest research studies.