Scotland urgently needs more pylons, power lines and substations to cut energy bills, create energy security and tackle climate change, Scottish Renewables has said.
The trade body report 'Why investing in electricity transmission infrastructure is a priority for Scotland' points out that a net-zero future which delivers cheap, reliable, clean power, jobs and a thriving economy for future generations is going to look different.
The current electricity network was designed for fossil fuels almost a century ago. But as the latest report from Scottish Renewables makes clear it is now holding back the clean power projects needed to modernise the UK's energy supply.
Investing in Scotland's electricity network will:
• Cut consumer bills
Wind farm electricity is half the price of gas power. Building more pylons, power lines and substations means more clean power can be produced from renewables like wind and solar and cut energy bills for everyone in society.
• Build energy security
Scotland's home-grown renewable energy can be at the heart of delivering the clean energy needed to end our reliance on imported expensive fossil fuel. To do this, we need an electricity network capable of transmitting more electricity where and when it is needed.
• Tackle climate change
Scottish Renewables' research for the briefing shows that every mile of overhead power line built enables enough renewable energy generation to displace more than 10,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere - the equivalent of taking 7,600 cars off the road.
Nick Sharpe, Director of Communications and Strategy at Scottish Renewables, said: "The UK's electricity network is not fit for purpose.
"While the deployment of cheap renewable energy generation has increased fourfold over the past ten years, investment in Britain's transmission grid have flatlined, and has even decreased since 2017.
"Electricity demand is set to increase by 50% in the next decade and double by mid-century so it's therefore wrong to say that Scottish households don't need more power lines, pylons and substations, we need them to keep our homes warm and ensure the lights stay on.
"Groups and individuals who object to the construction of power lines, pylons and substations largely do so because they do not like the way they look.
"By the end of this year, there will be just over 70 months left to achieve our targets of 11GW offshore and 12GW onshore wind. To ensure we maximise the enormous socioeconomic benefits this will bring to local communities, we will need a grid fit for the 21st century."
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
15/11/2024
A major milestone has been reached in the UK's transition to a greener energy future. Ofgem has approved the Eastern Green Link 1 project, a £2.5 billion investment that will see the installation of a 196km subsea electricity cable between Scotland and England. The project, a joint venture between ...
15/11/2024
Falkirk Council has secured a £100 million Growth Deal that is expected to create 1,660 jobs and generate £628 million in economic benefits for the area. The Deal, signed by the UK and Scottish Governments, will fund 11 projects, including: • A Carbon Dioxide Utilisation Centre • A Bioeconomy ...
15/11/2024
The Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) has raised concerns that the measures announced in the Autumn Budget could lead to the demise of the plant hire industry in Scotland. The association argues that the increased tax burden and other economic pressures will have a significant negative ...
15/11/2024
Maxi Construction has been awarded a £1.6 million contract by The City of Edinburgh Council to replace the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) roof at Pentland Primary School. The phased project will involve the removal of existing roof coverings and ceilings, the replacement of RAAC ...
15/11/2024
Clark Contracts has been awarded a contract to retrofit Scotland's National Retrofit Centre at BE-ST's Innovation Campus. The project aims to transform the building into a living laboratory, showcasing best practices in non-domestic retrofit. The ambitious project will involve a range of ...
15/11/2024
The Scottish Government has announced plans to bypass the villages of Springholm and Crocketford on the A75, a key route linking Scotland to Ireland. Jacobs UK Ltd has been awarded a contract to undertake initial design and assessment work for the bypass. The project is funded by the UK ...
15/11/2024
Dundee City Council has secured a £693,383 grant from the Scottish Government's Recycling Improvement Fund to upgrade its recycling facilities at Baldovie and Riverside. The funding will be used to purchase new waste management equipment, such as roll packers and compactors, to improve efficiency ...
15/11/2024
Homes for Good and Glasgow Credit Union have formed a partnership to address housing inequality in Glasgow and neighbouring areas. Glasgow Credit Union has provided a £2.4 million loan to Homes for Good, which will be used to purchase up to 35 homes for low-income individuals and families. The ...
15/11/2024
The historic Troon station has reopened following a £5m restoration project. The station was extensively damaged by a fire in 2021. Network Rail, in partnership with AmcoGiffen and CPMS, undertook the rebuild, which included the restoration of the station's iconic façade while incorporating modern ...
15/11/2024
BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is undertaking emergency works on the A828 between Ledaig and Benderloch to address a safety concern related to a deteriorating rock face. Recent monitoring has identified a fractured rock mass 60 metres above the road, requiring urgent attention. To ...