Scotland’s 2020 energy routemap

Combined Heat Power Association (CHPA) director, Graham Meeks, welcomes Scotland's 2020 Routemap, but identifies room for improvement.


The CHPA welcomes Scotland’s commitment to maximise efficiency in energy generation through the capture waste heat and support for the creation of district heating networks.

On June 30 energy minister, Fergus Ewing, launched the 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland, outlining plans for Scotland to achieve a 100% renewable energy supply by 2020.

Maximising the efficiency of renewable generation – in particular Scotland’s extensive biomass resources – is crucial for meeting this target, and the report identifies a number of key actions for achieving this:

Promote the recovery of heat from power stations

A study into the options for the generating low carbon heat in Scotland has suggested the capture of waste heat from power generation as a low cost option. The 2020 report supports this idea and proposes extending it to electricity from renewable sources such as biomass and waste.

The report also identifies that current incentives are driving large scale biomass electricity schemes rather than using biomass through the most efficient method of combined heat and power (CHP), and market mechanisms must be changed to deliver the right level of support to drive CHP.

Promote renewable heat projects through greater support for district heating

The Scottish Government states that district heating will play an important role in realising national ambitions on heat.

Heat networks allow for projects to be delivered with economies of scale, as well as providing a route to market for renewable heat technologies.

To support development in this area, an Expert Commission into development of district heating will be established from the Renewable Heat Implementation Group and the assessment panel for the District Heating Loan Fund.

Funding will be committed to roll out the Highland Heat mapping pilot project to other local authorities, which will assist planning authorities in identifying potential opportunities for district heating schemes.

The Commission will also be considering a policy position regarding a presumption in favour of connecting buildings to district heating networks where one exists.

It is increasingly apparent that renewable energy does come at a price. With a renewables Routemap that has energy efficiency at its heart, the Scottish Government will be getting the maximum value from the country’s resources whilst also delivering the very best value for Scotland’s hard-pressed energy consumers.

CHP and district heating are central to an efficient and cost-effective pathway to a renewable future, and in projects like Aberdeen Heat and Power and Markinch Biomass CHP Scotland is already leading the way.

This industry looks forward to building on this success to deliver these ambitious renewable energy goals.

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