Current status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 30 August 2012
To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on its environmental policies of the UK Government's decision to freeze support for geothermal power.
In its response to the recent consultation on a review of bands under the England and Wales Renewables Obligation, the UK Government announced its decision re retain support for electricity generated using geothermal energy at the current level. The Scottish Government has conducted a similar consultation exercise, and we will announce our decisions shortly.
Meanwhile, in order to encourage commercial interest in this energy source, the Scottish Government has commissioned a research programme aimed at identifying the next steps to take forward the commercial exploitation of deep geothermal energy, including high level mapping of potential and the scope for licensing. The study will also include a costs and financial risk assessment which should identify the likely capital and operating costs for exploring and developing the geothermal energy resources identified. We expect the results to be available by spring 2013.