Amidst the raging environmental concerns storming in from every part of the society, Scotland has decided to stand out as an exception and do its bit by reducing the burden witnessed by the exhaustible resources of the planet. If things sway according to plans, the hosts will be able to provide data exhibiting 100% renewable electricity in 2020, which will be, in turn, related at the crucial UN climate conference to be held in November. The Southern city of Glasgow, in Scotland, was concluded as the presenter of the 26th conference during the preceding itinerary itself. Thus, by achieving the objective of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, it will set the bar for being an exemplary host.
After shutting down the last descendant of the coal-fired power plants in 2016, the only fossil-fuel recourse that remains with Scotland, for the time being, is a gas-fired power station located in Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. Due to the demands of electricity, Scotland has been capitalizing on the properties of renewable sources with wind power. Additionally, as far as their progress in technology is concerned, the nation is looking forward to installing the world’s first-ever floating offshore wind farm that is estimated to be a 30MW Hywind project to complement the inception of the 1MW onshore battery storage system.
The advancements made by Scotland reflect their glory on the latter’s achievements to date. In November last year, a new record was set as the country was able to stand true to the production outstripping demand on 20 out of 30 days and provide 109% of the total electricity demand during the whole month. The Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm is inexorably Scotland’s largest pool of renewable source that is capable of generating enough power to suffice the requirements of 450,000 homes. On the other hand, the Seagreen Windfarm that is still being constructed off Angus will be massive yet again, and once the project comes to a halt, it will be able to power about one million homes.
Nevertheless, the configurations of the resources state that they are not 100% renewable yet; however, the numbers are nearing the target. Based on the data delivered in 2018, the official figure was 76.2%, and if things keep moving at the same pace, then the goal will be attained within this very year. Besides its 100% renewables target, the Scottish government has also made it a point to legally bind itself with the intent of cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2045, which is formally five years before that of the UK and Australia.
At the climate conference, Scotland is expected to tighten all the aspects of COP25 that were so far lagging and implement a new set of rules for the carbon market between countries and rub off the criticism of “surplus credits” by Australia. Along with this, the meeting will also get the ball of 2015’s Paris Agreement rolling to garner it with the desired momentum of international climate action’s chief modulator.
