The Scottish government (United Kingdom) has published its first energy strategy, based on six strategic priorities including developing renewable energies, improving energy efficiency and supporting investment and innovation across the oil and gas sector.
Scotland aims to cover 50% of its electricity, transport and heat consumption with renewables by 2030, betting on its wind potential: according to the government, Scotland would hold 25% of Europe's offshore wind resources and offshore wind costs could become competitive with gas by 2030. To reach the 50% renewable target in the power sector, 11 to 17 GW of installed renewable capacity will be required by 2030.
Scotland will continue to support the recovery of North Sea oil and gas as a highly regulated source of hydrocarbon fuels and will support the demonstration and commercialisation of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and CO2 utilisation. It will explore the role of new energy sources in its energy system, increase renewable energy generation and increasing the flexibility, efficiency, and resilience of the energy system as a whole.