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Businesses invested £750m in new Scottish renewable electricity projects in the last twelve months, according to a budget submission by a trade association making the case for continued support of clean energy.
According to figures filed yesterday by Scottish Renewables for the Draft Scottish Budget, installed capacity increased to more than 4,620MW from 3,920MW in the last year, 465MW of which were new onshore wind developments.
The report revealed that the capital value of those projects was £750m and predicted that could increase to £46bn as a result of expansion of offshore wind, wave, tidal, biomass and hydro projects over the coming years.
Scottish Renewables chief executive Niall Stuart said the figures demonstrated the business case for renewable generation, but warned the industry needed greater incentives to overcome future barriers.
"Renewables is a massive economic, employment and environmental opportunity for Scotland," he said. "Limited public sector investment will be necessary to harness this through resourcing planning authorities, infrastructure and skills, and we believe there is a strong case for existing and new incentives to support investment in the sector."
In related news, an 11 offshore turbine wind farm near Aberdeen which has received objections from tycoon Donald Trump, has also been opposed by RSPB Scotland.
The charity objected to the The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre on Monday, over concerns the area was home to to seabirds and rare species such as the common scoter and red-throated diver.
Ian Francis, RSPB Scotland area manager for north east Scotland, said the objections came despite discussions with developers Vattenfall, Technip and AREG.
"We acknowledge the efforts they have made to reduce its scale and change the layout of the turbines, which has helped," he said. "However, more planning, research and monitoring is needed to ensure we truly understand the impact this site may have on local birds.
"The bay is an important area of many species. Since this is a European funded test centre, it is crucial that a thorough research programme is developed to help understand how this and the many forthcoming offshore wind farms can reduce their impacts on birds and other marine wildlife."
Businesses invested £750m in new Scottish renewable electricity projects in the last twelve months, according to a budget submission by a trade association making the case for continued support of clean energy.
According to figures filed yesterday by Scottish Renewables for the Draft Scottish Budget, installed capacity increased to more than 4,620MW from 3,920MW in the last year, 465MW of which were new onshore wind developments.
The report revealed that the capital value of those projects was £750m and predicted that could increase to £46bn as a result of expansion of offshore wind, wave, tidal, biomass and hydro projects over the coming years.
Scottish Renewables chief executive Niall Stuart said the figures demonstrated the business case for renewable generation, but warned the industry needed greater incentives to overcome future barriers.
"Renewables is a massive economic, employment and environmental opportunity for Scotland," he said. "Limited public sector investment will be necessary to harness this through resourcing planning authorities, infrastructure and skills, and we believe there is a strong case for existing and new incentives to support investment in the sector."
In related news, an 11 offshore turbine wind farm near Aberdeen which has received objections from tycoon Donald Trump, has also been opposed by RSPB Scotland.
The charity objected to the The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre on Monday, over concerns the area was home to to seabirds and rare species such as the common scoter and red-throated diver.
Ian Francis, RSPB Scotland area manager for north east Scotland, said the objections came despite discussions with developers Vattenfall, Technip and AREG.
"We acknowledge the efforts they have made to reduce its scale and change the layout of the turbines, which has helped," he said. "However, more planning, research and monitoring is needed to ensure we truly understand the impact this site may have on local birds.
"The bay is an important area of many species. Since this is a European funded test centre, it is crucial that a thorough research programme is developed to help understand how this and the many forthcoming offshore wind farms can reduce their impacts on birds and other marine wildlife."
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