The amount of heat generated by renewable sources in Scotland grew by 17% during 2013, according to the latest figures from the Energy Saving Trust.The figures compiled on behalf of Scottish Government showed the amount of heat generated from renewable technologies grew to 2,904GWh in 2013, compared to 2,481GWh in 2012.
Energy Saving Trust’s figures are used to measure progress towards the Scottish Government’s target of 11% of non-electrical heat demand in Scotland coming from renewable sources by 2020
The renewable heating technologies covered by the Energy Saving Trust in the analysis include biomass, energy from waste, heat pumps (ground source and air source) and solar thermal. The majority of these technologies are covered by the recently launched domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and the recently extended Home Energy Scotland renewables loan scheme.
Mike Thornton, Director of Energy Saving Trust Scotland, said: 'These latest figures show that Scotland is very much on track to reach its renewable heat targets. The recent launch of the RHI and continuation of the Home Energy Scotland renewables loans scheme make a compelling package of incentives and grants for households in Scotland that are interested in installing renewable heat technologies. We expect household take-up of renewable heat to increase further in 2014 as there are big savings to be made.
“Installing a renewable heat technology in an off-gas property in Scotland and claiming RHI could generate savings and income anywhere between £1,500 and £4,000 a year.”
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “We are committed in helping support households and business across Scotland to reduce their need for heat, use efficient heat supply and low carbon and renewable heat sources. Only last week I provided an update to the Scottish Parliament on renewable heat action in line with our draft Heat Generation Policy Statement (HGPS). We have set out our approach to decarbonising our heat system, diversifying our sources of heat, reducing pressure on household energy bills and maximising the economic opportunities of the transition to a low carbon heat sector.
“Scotland is an energy rich nation where heat accounts for over half of all energy we use, with an estimated £2.6 billion a year being spent on heating and cooling in Scotland.
“We need a heat system that can provide affordable warmth and resilient heat supply, with a competitive business and industry base, which addresses climate change, and offers potential for the low carbon economic opportunities supporting sustainable economic growth.”
The domestic RHI provides payments to owners of eligible renewable heating systems for a range of renewable heating technologies and can be combined with a Home Energy Scotland renewables loan.
The Home Energy Scotland renewables loan scheme provides interest free loans up to £10,000 from Scottish Government which help Scottish homeowners pay for the up-front cost of the installation. The renewable and low carbon heat technologies covered by the loan scheme include solar water heating, air source, ground source and water source heat pumps, biomass systems and connection to district heating.