Brexit and Energy in Scotland
| Author | |
| DOI | 10.3366/elr.2018.0466 |
| Published date | 01 January 2018 |
| Date | 01 January 2018 |
| Pages | 144-149 |
Brexit, however it emerges (and assuming that it will emerge), poses two key questions for energy governance and regulation in Scotland. Firstly, what impact might it have on Scotland's energy strategy? Secondly, what are its possible UK-wide effects?
Brexit is taking place at an important stage in the development of Scotland's energy sector.
As a result of technological developments and government support, there have been significant changes to electricity generation in particular: renewable electricity (principally wind turbines and historic hydro-electricity) now accounts for nearly 60% of Scotland's electricity generation, with most of the rest being provided by the country's nuclear power stations, which generate low-carbon – although not renewable – electricity.
Importantly, the 2017 Scottish Government Draft Energy Strategy, which will be finalised towards the end of the year, is also proposing the even more exacting objective that 50% of Scotland's
The final form of the Scottish Government's energy strategy remains to be seen, but it is doubtful that it will differ significantly from the draft version which has been out to consultation. As such, it is likely to be an ambitious strategy which articulates medium to long-term targets without focusing on the technical challenges that need to be overcome in order to achieve its goals. This is justifiable in a broad strategy, although just how achievable the targets are will no doubt be a matter for debate.
From an energy governance perspective, the strategy is significant in that it adds a further piece to the jigsaw of the Scottish Government's inter-related strategies. In particular, given the big picture nature of overall Scottish Government policy, the draft energy strategy and Scotland's Energy Efficiency Programme (“SEEP”)
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