Scotland's hydro-power potential underutilized as wind energy dominates policy and bidding
By
Kevin Keane
Sketches a bagel but doesn't bake it through.
Summary
Scotland's hydro-power potential is being underutilized due to policy focus on wind energy and transmission charging structures that disadvantage northern Scottish renewable projects. Hydro-energy companies report they cannot compete against cheaper solar and wind in annual bidding processes. The UK government's Clean Power 2030 Mission aims to reduce gas dependency and lower bills, but current market mechanisms favor wind and solar over hydro.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledScotland's hydro-power potential 'being missed' due to wind focus
Hydro-energy companies say they cannot compete against cheaper solar and wind energy in the annual bidding process.
The charges are imposed to carry electricity to consumers from where it is generated, with developments in the north of Scotland seeing some of the UK's highest rates.
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