TOPIC 'Renewable Energy' on Dec 08, 2008 (CET)
Scotland Has Goal of 50 Percent Renewable Electricity By 2020
Scotland has strict rules governing water usage from Scottish rivers and any plans to divert water need to include application to and approval by the SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency). This regulation has been in place since mid-2006. A new hydro energy power plant proposal expects to produce enough electricity (2.5 MW) to power 1,750 Scottish homes. The new plant will be located at Crianlarich and it will process more than 123,000 cubic metres of water per day.
This project by Scottish and Southern Energy has recently received a green light from Scotland’s Environmental Regulators. The company is quick to point out, however, that the project is still in the early stages and they haven’t yet submitted the required planning information to the commission. Any hydro energy power plant that is expected to produce over 1MW in electricity has to gain permission to build from the Scottish ministers.
The licence granted to Scottish and Southern Energy by SEPA requires the design of the plant to focus on the ecology of the tributary to Dochart River, the Allt Chaorach. All hydro energy plans must design their structure in such a manner as to minimize any impacts to the water and its environment. Also of concern in this particular instance was the affect, if any, on the river’s population of salmon. A study was done and it was determined that no harm would come to the salmon population from the construction of a hydro energy plant at this location.
The Government of Scotland has set a goal of reaching 50 percent of its electrical needs through renewable energy resources by the year 2020. A mid-range goal is to accomplish 31 percent renewable energy use by the year 2011. Scotland’s Government has been issuing licences to create renewable energy alternatives and has a number of projects “in the works.” At present, the projects completed or underway are, or will be, responsible for powering approximately 91,000 Scottish homes through clean and renewable energy methods.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
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