Renewables inquiry evidence-gathering to begin

07.03.2012

Invitations are being issued to individuals and organisations, including to the Trump Organisation, asking them to appear before the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee and provide their views on the achievability of the Scottish Government’s renewable-energy targets.

The Committee met today to discuss and agree the witnesses it wishes to call for oral evidence. It has agreed to evidence sessions over the next three months, covering topics including:

• skills and technology
• planning and consents
• impact on communities and tourism
• and grid matters.

Speaking after the meeting, Committee Convener Murdo Fraser MSP said:

“The Committee is clear that it wants to hear from all sides of the argument – and is inviting a range of organisations to ensure we hear all perspectives on this controversial and complex subject.

"It is our job to scrutinise Government policy, to provide informed views on their ambitious aims and to advise where we think appropriate.

"The list of invited witnesses offers us access to a wide range of views and importantly, research.

"As we develop the timetable for evidence-giving between now and May, I look forward to hearing what they all have to say.

“From our preliminary discussions with the Trump organisation, it was obvious the strength of views they had. The Committee agreed they wanted to hear from Donald Trump about his wider concerns regarding the impact of wind-energy development on tourism and the economy in Scotland.”

The Committee has also agreed to undertake a small number of fact-finding visits across Scotland to allow members to gather information first hand on the manufacture and testing of technologies for renewables, the provision of further education in the sector and to see an installed wind farm in its community setting. Details are being worked up and a programme will be announced in due course.

Next week’s session will provide the Committee with evidence on cross-cutting issues and representatives are being invited from trade bodies including Scottish Renewables and pressure groups including WWF Scotland.

Invitations for witnesses to future sessions will be issued to groups representing all perspectives including:

• Communities Against Turbines and Friends of the Earth
• professional bodies
• local authorities and community councils
• universities and colleges
• energy and grid suppliers
• and Government Ministers.

Background

Key questions to be considered during the inquiry include:

• Is the technology to the meet the targets available and affordable?
• Are our universities and research institutes fully geared up to the need for technological development?
• How can national priorities be reconciled with local interests?
• Are we confident that the necessary infrastructure can be developed and financed so that Scotland can export any excess electricity generation to the rest of the UK?
• What will the impact be on consumers’ bills?
• Will sufficient funds be available to allow investment in both the installation and development of relevant technologies?
• Will Scotland have sufficient home-grown skills to attract inward investment?
• Are the reforms of the energy markets and subsidy regimes at both UK and EU level sufficient to meet the targets?