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Responding to the announcement from the Scottish Government today (29 March 2012) that Scotland has beaten its 2011 target for the amount of electricity produced from renewable sources, Stan Blackley, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

“Today’s news that 35 percent of Scotland’s electricity demand came from renewable sources in 2011 is very welcome indeed. This shows that we are well on our way to meeting the target of producing 100 percent of Scotland’s electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020.

“With the oil and gas industries giving us plenty of examples in recent weeks of how dirty, dangerous and environmentally damaging they are, it is clear that the transition to a low carbon economy supported by a renewables revolution is the preferred future for Scotland, and this news confirms that the revolution is underway and gaining momentum.

“Our own research has shown that, with some modest investment in energy efficiency and demand reduction, Scotland could produce 130% of its electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020 and 180% by 2030, and in doing so we could ensure a reliable supply of clean electricity and phase out Scotland’s thermal power stations. We would encourage Scottish Ministers to look beyond their current targets, be ambitious, and work towards this aim.”

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact: Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland e: pfischer@foe-scotland.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Scotland beats 2011 green energy target
www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/03/geenenergytargets29032012

2. The Power of Scotland Secured – research by one of the world’s leading energy consultants, Garrad Hassan. Full report and summary:
www.foe-scotland.org.uk/power-secured

3. Friends of the Earth Scotland is * Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisation * An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland * Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 77 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups – covering every continent. www.foe-scotland.org.uk