Out-Law / Your Daily Need-To-Know

New low-carbon energy strategy planned as part of Scottish 'programme for government'

08 Sep 2016, 12:01 pm

A new climate change plan and low carbon energy strategy, to be published by the Scottish Government, will "provide investors with certainty and a clear sense of direction", the first minister has said.

The plan and strategy will be published over the coming year, and set out the government's low carbon infrastructure priorities and plans to meet its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by more than 50% by 2020, according to the 2017 Programme for Government.

Energy expert Kate Turner of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said that the Scottish Government's commitment was "a positive signal to the market".

"We will need to see the detailed strategy; but would like to see it address energy demand reduction through improved energy efficiency and heat measures alongside the integration of energy storage capacity into the market, and a clear commitment to low carbon generation capacity and addressing energy use in the transport sector," she said. "These are key areas which should feature strongly in any new energy strategy for Scotland."

Last year, the Scottish Government identified energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority as part of a package of measures to tackle climate change. It intends to support this commitment with more than £500 million of public funding over the next three years, which will be used to drive up the energy efficiency of buildings "alongside widespread social, economic and environmental benefits", according to the Programme for Government.

A Warm Homes Bill will also be published in the coming year, according to the announcement.

The Programme for Government also sets out measures to increase economic growth in Scotland, to include a new £500m Scottish Growth Scheme aimed at the private sector. The scheme, which will run for three years, is aimed in particular at technology-focused businesses with "clear export growth plans"; and will provide small and medium-sized businesses that are struggling to obtain investment finance access to investment guarantees and government loans.

The Scottish Government intends to introduce 14 separate pieces of legislation over the coming year; four of which will be introduced to give effect to new powers devolved to the Scottish parliament from Westminster.