Chamber and committees

At present, around 11% of Scottish electricity demand is met from Scotland's established hydro schemes. We expect that projects awarded contracts under the previous Scottish Renewables Obligation, once more are built over the next two years, will raise the portion of Scottish electricity supply accounted for by renewable energy to around 13% by 2003.We intend, under the new Renewables Obligation (Scotland), that this figure should increase by a further 5%, to 18% by 2010. Decisions on the yearly profile of the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) target will be taken in due course.

Our target of 18% of Scottish electricity supply to be accounted for by renewable energy will be achieved by the new Renewables Obligation (Scotland). Resultant CO₂ savings will vary depending on the fuel source of the generation displaced by the increased renewable energy which we expect the ROS to stimulate, but we expect them to be in the range of 660 to 1,950 kilotonnes by 2010.Further research on Scottish emissions projections is being undertaken as part of the Scottish Climate Change Programme.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15427.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15422.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15423.

The consents required for an offshore wind or water driven generating station are as follows:

• Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 (consent under section 36 is only required if installed generating capacity is in excess of 50 megawatts, with an application fee of between £5,000 and £20,000 depending on size);
• Section 5 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, and
• Section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949.

Applications for these consents must be made to the Scottish Ministers via the relevant departments. In addition, an application to the Crown Estate is required for the lease on an offshore site, and the Crown Estate will only consider granting a lease when, amongst other things, it is satisfied that the developer has obtained all the necessary statutory consents.There is no maximum time taken to issue such consents, although the relevant departments would always aim to process these as quickly and efficiently as possible.

As a matter of best practice, we advise developers to speak with the relevant planning authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency before submitting an application under section 36 of the 1989 Electricity Act. These are the statutory consultees defined by the Act, although the views of other interested bodies are also sought. Experience with previous renewable energy projects shows that most developers undertake extensive discussions and briefings for local residents prior to submitting their actual applications.

The design and construction of any power station are matters for the developer, subject to the necessary consents being obtained. Statutory consultees, such as Scottish Natural Heritage or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, may agree to such projects subject to certain conditions being contained within the final consents.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15421.

Scotland's only existing wave energy power station is Wavegen's LIMPET (Land Installed Marine Power Energy Transformer) built on the shoreline at Islay, which began generating late last year. The station secured planning consent from the local authority before construction commenced.The same company also developed an offshore device which it planned to install off the coast at Dounreay. The device, called OSPREY (Ocean Swell Powered Renewable Energy) was destroyed by bad weather in August 1995 before it could be properly installed. Prior to the aborted installation, the company had applied for and received consent under the Coast Protection Act 1949, and under section 5 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.