Scottish government calls for hydro backing
First Minister Alex Salmond has offered his support for pumped storage hydro as an additional feature to Scotland’s renewable supply. His comments are made after his visit to Europe’s largest pump storage facility, Iberdrola’s Cortes La Muela earlier this year.
In addition, a report has been published by the UK’s former chief energy regulator Alistair Buchanan on securing Scotland’s power supply. It identifies a gap in UK energy policy which needs to be filled if Scotland is going to secure the construction of new clean thermal plant and flexible hydro power.
The report, named Assessing Scotland’s Security of Supply in the GB Electricity Market, made the following recommendations:
1. Renewables, thermal and hydro generation play a significant role in Scotland and their security of electricity supply across the UK.
2. Flexible generation such as pump storage is dependent on investment incentives being included within the UK energy policy.
3. Scotland needs to play a more significant role in GB energy policy and making energy decisions.
Salmond said:
“Scotland is a resource rich country, and our energy capabilities and needs are different to those of the UK as a whole. It is imperative that we have the power and responsibility to decide how best we might develop that potential and meet those needs. Scotland was one of the first countries to harness power from its waters and the world’s first to develop high head reversible pumped storage. We have the capacity to do much more with our wonderful hydro resource, to generate clean power and store the vast power of renewables.”
“That is certainly the case here at Cruachan Power Station, a remarkable monument to the vision of Tom Johnston and to the courage and skill of the Tunnel Tigers who built it. ScottishPower has begun formally to examine the potential to more than double the station’s capacity, which would make a huge contribution to our security of supply.”
“The report which we publish today makes it clear that investments like this, and in new capacity right across Scotland, are not best served by the current system. A transfer of energy policy powers, which we have proposed to the Smith Commission, is the best way to ensure that Scotland’s energy security and renewable ambitions remain protected and on track.”
“With the regulator predicting an ever tighter gap between electricity generation and peak demand within the GB system, it is clear that increasing new hydro capacity will not only strengthen Scotland’s energy mix, but also enhance the security of supply right across these islands. The UK Government has shown willing to provide a generous bespoke contract to support expensive new nuclear power at Hinkley Point C, including massive subsidies up to £35 billion and a loan guarantee of £10 billion. We believe pumped storage – given its huge advantages for our electricity system – should be shown an equivalent level of commitment given that the potential costs are much less than new build nuclear.”
“Since 2007 the total output of renewable energy in Scotland has more than doubled and renewables can now meet almost half of Scotland’s electricity needs. In the first three years of this parliament alone, renewable energy generation in Scotland has soared by more than 75 per cent. Scotland’s supplies of electricity and gas are more than reliable – they are dependable – but we can offer and do so much more if the shackles are lifted. We need the powers for the parliament to ensure that renewables generate ever more power for Scotland."