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Politics : The Exxon Free Environmental Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (99)	3/24/2007 7:20:56 PM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 48947

Energy gap can spur economic revolution - if we seize the chance KIERON BRENNAN "MIND the gap" is a common phrase for commuters across the country, but it isn't a phrase you would normally associate with turning on the lights or flicking on the kettle. However, the United Kingdom is facing the prospect of an energy gap. Rising demand coupled with lower outputs and the tightening of carbon emissions will lead to the closure of many older power stations. Across the UK, this energy gap equates to a 31.5 per cent shortage at peak demand by 2020. This is the equivalent to an area the size of Scotland and then stretching all the way down to the Humber estuary being without power in peak winter periods. In Scotland, the closure of the Longannet and Cockenzie coal-fired power stations and the Hunterston B nuclear station will mean a 42 per cent drop in generating capacity north of the Border, turning Scotland from a net exporter to an importer of power. However, the solution is not as simple as building new power stations - targets set by the UK and the European Union look for us to reduce our carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. It isn't all doom and gloom, as these challenges present a sizeable opportunity. Scotland is uniquely positioned to "plug" the gap through renewable energy generation and reduce emissions through carbon capture. In fact, if Scotland is able to seize the opportunity, renewable energy generation alone could create up to 20,000 jobs and add £6.8 billion to the Scottish economy by 2020. Wind and wave power are fast becoming established technologies. With an abundance of natural resources, Scotland has the potential to generate a quarter of Europe's marine energy. Recognising this, the Scottish Executive has already invested £13 million in wave research and planning permission has recently been given for Europe's largest onshore wind farm, on Lewis. The European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney is set to become a world leader in wave power and Scotland is providing expertise and technology to wave farms Portugal. It is predicted that, with continued support and investment, Scotland will be able to obtain more than 100 per cent of its electricity supply from renewable sources by 2050. This is a massive opportunity for private companies to tap in to. With the need to reduce carbon emissions, the oil and gas industry is also presented with an opportunity. Carbon capture, where is stored in depleted oil fields, is another area where Scotland can take the lead. The expert knowledge base already exists in the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen and the North Sea and, along with the supporting infrastructure, this gives Scotland the ability to lead the way in reducing our carbon emissions. However, this is not something that we can sit back and expect to come to us. Further investment from private industry and continued support and leadership from the government is needed. Scotland sits at the junction of a possible economic revolution. There is not a "do nothing" option. • Kieron Brennan is the managing director, energy and utilities, of LogicaCMG. news.scotsman.com