Scottish councils have been criticised for failing to use energy efficiency measures to heat public buildings…
According to the figures only one per cent of public buildings in Scotland are heated using renewable energy sources.
The data, which was released as part of a Freedom of Information request from Scottish Renewables, comes at a time when concerns are being raised about the nation meeting clean energy targets.
Scottish Renewables found only 322 out of 24,806 public buildings were heated by renewable energy sources. The industry body called the efforts by councils “underwhelming”.
Renewable energy is an area that has suffered significant blows from Westminster recently, with subsidies for solar and wind both cut. In Scotland, the sector—particularly wind energy—has performed well.
Renewable energy is an area that promises not only environmental benefits, but also economic. The UK government’s Renewable Heat Incentive support scheme has invested almost £8m in renewable heat projects, with £768,133 given to local authorities.
However, the public sector could be doing more. Across Scotland only 225 schools, 17 leisure centres, 17 care homes, and 63 other public buildings utilise renewable energy.
At the top of the table is the Highland Council, which boasts 102 buildings heated by renewable methods. A total of 81 are schools.
But this still falls short. Scottish Renewables said the Scottish and UK government need to do more to ensure greater uptake of renewable heat, particularly as Westminster plans to stop the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Scottish Renewables policy manager Stephanie Clark said: “More than half of the energy we use in Scotland is in the form of heat, but we are failing to make the most of our renewable technologies, as these underwhelming figures show.
“While Scotland has made great progress in the development of renewable electricity, the heat sector continues to lag behind.
“As of 2014, the proportion of heat demand met by renewable sources stood at an estimated 3.8 per cent, against a 2020 target of 11 per cent. This leaves us well below the European average.
“Our document also identifies other challenges which must be addressed if we are to have any chance of hitting that 2020 target.”
Scottish Renewables said the nation should implement more progressive planning policies to increase the uptake of renewable and low carbon heat technologies. The organisation also called for the development of a regulatory framework aimed at supporting the growth of the market.
Environmental campaign group WWF Scotland has also called on all Scottish political parties to introduce a Warm Homes Act. This will ensure clean and affordable warmth to households.
Head of policy at WWF Scotland Dr Sam Gardner said: “Over 50 per cent of our carbon emissions and energy use comes from heating our buildings and water yet we’re still only delivering around four per cent of that heat from renewables.
“That’s why we need to see strong efforts from the Scottish Government to tackle the energy efficiency of our leaky homes and drive the uptake of renewable heat and district heating systems to cut bills, enhance energy security and reduce climate pollution.
“In the run up to the Holyrood election next year, we’re calling on all parties to commit to introducing a Warm Homes Act.”
