Scotland is in a great position to meet its
green energy target for 2020, according to the results of a new report.
If all of the renewable projects currently going through planning authorities were granted permission the country would generate three times the amount of eco-friendly power it is aiming for by the end of the next century, according to a study by Scottish Natural Heritage which was reported by the Scotsman.
Such schemes, if approved, would take Scotland's total
green energy production total up to 26,073 megawatts - easily surpassing the 8,000 megawatts target it was set.
The report states: "Scotland can easily meet its existing renewable ambitions and could easily meet 100 per cent of our electricity needs, based on the resource available."
However, at the moment just 2,834 megawatts of environmentally-friendly energy is created north of the border, the publication reveals.
Schemes which would create another 3,739 megawatts have been granted permission with a further 9,000 onshore, 8,500 offshore and 2,000 marine megawatts going through the planning system.
Many of the projects are based around creating either
wind energy through turbines or hydro-power.
There are, though, concerns about the introduction of so many wind turbines, with some people worried they could have an adverse effect on wildlife and the landscape.
Helen McDade, head of policy for the John Muir Trust, tells the newspaper: "Climate change targets are best tackled by improving energy conservation and cutting emissions from transport, rather than endlessly expanding renewable developments in some of our most sensitive and precious landscapes."
However, other experts, such as
wind energy specialist Jenny Hogan, dismiss such fears, stating that
wind energy on and offshore can be a significant boost to
green energy production.
Friends of the Earth last week said that it believes six per cent of the UK's energy could be created by small-scale schemes, such as solar panels.
