The Scottish Onshore Wind Developers Forum (SOWDF) is calling on the Scottish government to set a target of at least 30GW installed capacity by 2040.
In a letter to the Scottish Energy Minister, SOWDF said that while the country has articulated a clear, long-term vision for offshore wind up to 2040, there remains no equivalent target for onshore wind deployment which risks undermining investment, supply chain growth and future energy planning.
SOWDF argues the target would give developers, investors and communities the certainty needed to deliver new projects, repower existing sites and maintain Scotland’s position as a world leading hub for renewable energy.
The forum says the goal would also support the aims of the UK government’s Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) which will determine the UK’s energy production after 2030.
Rosie Vetter Chair of the SOWDF, said: “We have been encouraged by the recent comments from Minister Gethins that Holyrood’s 20 GW by 2030 onshore wind deployment target ‘must be a milestone rather than an end point’ as we look ahead to the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan being finalised later this year.
“Setting an ambition of at least 30 GW by 2040 would send a powerful signal that Scotland intends to remain at the forefront of the clean energy transition by maximising its renewable potential.”
Research by economic consultancy BiGGAR states that that unlocking Scotland’s onshore wind pipeline after 2030 could generate an additional £4.2bn Gross Value Added (GVA) for the country’s economy by 2040.
According to the study, it could also support an average of 6,100 more jobs across Scotland between 2034 and 2040, while generating an additional £44 million in community benefits.
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