A PUBLICLY owned Scottish energy company could “re-energise” the renewable energy sector and deliver electricity at competitive prices for the consumer, an expert has said. David Toke, a senior lecturer in energy policy at Aberdeen University, said the company could also offer consumers cheaper electricity than its rivals by offering environmentally friendly generators long-term deals. Toke said such a move could give the Scottish Government’s planned utility provider a “distinctive appeal” that would rate higher than its rivals in terms of offering green energy. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged her government will set up a “publicly owned, not-for-profit energy company” by the end of the current Scottish Parliament term in 2021. Toke said: “The Scottish Government has a great opportunity to become the UK leader in the supply of green energy. It can achieve this if its proposed energy company is able to offer long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for new onshore wind and solar projects.” In a paper produced for the group Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA), Toke said offering long-term PPA deals could in itself be “instrumental in ensuring the establishment of renewable energy projects that would not otherwise exist”. With renewable energy schemes often requiring the bulk of investment at the start of the project, long-term PPAs can help them get off the ground, he argued. “What renewable energy projects need are the offer of long-term power purchasing agreements lasting, say, 15 years,” he said.
The National 1st Aug 2018 read more »
A publicly-owned Scottish energy company could offer consumers cheaper electricity than its rivals by offering environmentally-friendly generators long-term deals, an expert has suggested. David Toke, a senior lecturer in energy policy at Aberdeen University, also said such a move could give the Scottish Government’s planned new utility provider a “distinctive appeal” that would rate higher than its rivals in terms of offering green energy. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already pledged her government will set up a “publicly owned, not-for-profit energy company” by the end of the current Scottish Parliament term in 2021. This could “re-energise” the renewable energy sector in Scotland and “deliver electricity at competitive prices for the consumer”, Mr Toke said. NFLA Scotland vice-convener Audrey Doig said: “This comment piece by Dr David Toke is very useful to the NFLA as it considers its own views on whether the Scottish Government should consider developing a Scottish Energy Company. “NFLA is a strong supporter of both decentralised and renewable energy as a component part of a present and a future low carbon energy mix. “Local authority-owned energy companies like Robin Hood Energy and Bristol Energy are showing councils can provide a positive role in the generation of decentralised low carbon energy.”
Energy Voice 1st Aug 2018 read more »
As the Scottish Parliament seeks views on developing a Scottish Energy Company, NFLA publishes report on its real potential. Over the past decade, Scotland has led the way in the development of low carbon, renewable energy generation. Later this year, the Scottish Government will consult on whether the development of a Scottish Energy Company could add value to drive such developments further forward. The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) Scotland Forum plans to engage in that process and in a recent call for evidence from the Scottish Parliament’s Economy Committee. NFLA plans to also analyse an EY report for the Scottish Government on the benefits and risks of a Scottish Energy Company. As part of its consideration of the benefits of a Scottish-wide Energy Company, the NFLA invited Dr David Toke, Senior Lecturer in Energy Policy at Aberdeen University, to speak to its Scotland Forum on this matter. Dr Toke has also provided the NFLA with a thought-provoking report of how a Scottish Energy Company could enhance further its renewable energy ambitions. This is on the NFLA website in order to promote more debate on this issue.
NFLA 31st July 2018 read more »
Scotland needs to “control” its own energy to attract future investment in its renewables sector, a Scottish Westminster MP said yesterday. John McNally, MP for Falkirk and member of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, said the best way to show Scotland is world leader in renewables is to establish sovereignty over its own transmission grid system. Mr McNally, who helped author a new green finance report involving 16 cross-party MPs, said the move would encourage “various companies to invest in large scale storage models” in Scotland. The statement comes on the back of senior energy lecturer at Aberdeen University, David Toke, claiming yesterday that a new Scottish energy company could change Scotland’s fortunes, while offering cheaper bills. He said: “The Scottish Government has a great opportunity to become the UK leader in the supply of green energy. “It can achieve this if its proposed energy company is able to offer long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for new onshore wind and solar projects.”
Energy Voice 1st Aug 2018 read more »