Renewable sources energy of Scotland covered 97% of demand for 2020. The country had set a target of 100%, did not succeed, but the coverage rate was much better than last year.
In 2011, Scotland set a goal for itself related to green energy. To create 100% of the country's gross electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2020. The country failed to achieve this high goal, as only (!!) 97,4% of gross electricity consumption came from clean sources energy. Scottish Renewables, Scotland's commercial renewable energy business, it's mentioned that in 2020 had an increase of 8% compared to the data for 2019.
Scottish Renewables CEO Claire Mack added that the industry has "more than doubled its electricity generation from renewable sources" and has created "enough to power the equivalent of more than 7 million households". Wind remains the country's top renewable energy source, although hydropower grew the most last year.
Scottish authorities hope that renewable energy sources can meet 50 percent of the country's energy needs for electricity, heat and transport by 2030. The country has a lot of work to do to achieve this goal, especially when it comes to for transport and heating.
Mack stated that “domestic and commercial transportation accounts for nearly 25% of the energy that usesin Scotland, with heat accounting for more than half, as well as more than half of gas emissions”. Currently, renewables cover only 6,5 percent of non-electric heat demand. "The technologies that we need to replace natural gas in our homes now exist, but deploying them across the country is a huge undertaking," said Mack. "Industry and government must continue to work together to address the challenges at hand if we are to realize our full potential, meet net zero by 2045 and achieve a proper energy transition."
Holly O'Donnell, WWF Scotland's Director of Climate and Energy Policy, is calling for the roll-out of electric cars (EVs) to be accelerated and more subsidies for renewable heating. These could help Scotland rely more on renewables for heating and transport, and lower emissions from those sources.
