Over 3,000 people across Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City, Angus, Highland, Moray and Perth & Kinross - the communities most impacted by energy transition – have been surveyed on vital issues such as the delivery of renewable energy projects, upgrading Scotland’s electricity grid, community benefits, transmission charging and the role of oil and gas.
True North Advisors commissioned respected research analysts, Diffley Partnership, to conduct the survey which includes several fascinating findings:
- 69% of respondents are either positive or neutral about work to upgrade Scotland’s electricity grid whilst 22% view it negatively.
- Cost and investment uncertainty (29%), local opposition (17%) and government policy (14%) identified as key barriers to faster delivery of renewable energy projects.
- Subsidised energy bills (57%) and local jobs and investment (39%) highlighted as key community benefits desired.
- Only 7% view the current transmission charging system, calculated on basis of population sizes meaning developers in the North of Scotland are charged more than those in Southern England , is fair and 65% believes it must be reformed.
- 87% of respondents believe the UK should aim to meet more of its demand for oil and gas from domestic production in the North Sea.
The survey’s findings were revealed by Mark Diffley, Founder and Director of Diffley Partnership, at an event held in Aberdeen yesterday (Monday) hosted by ETZ Ltd, the not-for-profit company spearheading North East Scotland’s energy transition ambition. It was attended by over 120 people representing offshore wind developers, ports, supply chain businesses and local authorities across the areas surveyed.
L-R: Greg Clarke - SSEN-t, Susie Lind - CMS, Allister Thomas - True North Advisors, Isla Robb - ETZ Ltd, Mark Baxter - Ocean Winds
Responding to the results were panellists including senior representatives of electricity Transmission Operator in the north of Scotland, Perth-based SSEN Transmission and Ocean Winds, Scotland’s largest offshore wind operator with O&M bases located in Fraserburgh and Buckie supporting their Moray East and Moray West respectively.
Sir Ian Wood, Chair of ETZ Ltd, said: “Scotland is embarking upon a transformation of its industrial base and, as we seek to capitalise on the significant economic benefits energy transition can provide, we must make every effort to understand and represent the views and concerns of those communities most impacted.
“The unprecedented scale and detail of this study allow us to do that, and the results are very encouraging whilst simultaneously highlighting the challenges we must overcome to garner even greater public support.
“It is evident that when people become more informed about vital developments like the upgrading to the electricity grid, the more they are supportive, but this must be aligned with demonstrable local job creation and investment.
“It is also apparent that major public policy obstacles, such as the current transmission charging regime, are viewed as unfair and that reform must come quickly if we are to unlock the investment required in the vast array of Scottish offshore wind developments on our doorstep.
“ETZ Ltd will therefore share these findings extensively with industry and policymakers, at a local and national level, to ensure that, working together, we respond positively to these views and deliver a truly managed and just transition that provides the lasting economic and societal benefits that we all desire.”
Greg Clarke, Head of Corporate Affairs, SSEN Transmission, said: "We welcome the findings of this comprehensive survey, which demonstrates high levels of support from people across the north of Scotland for upgrading the grid.
"Investing in the grid is about more than achieving clean power and energy security for the country; it will also act as a major catalyst for new jobs and economic growth, supporting the just transition; alongside providing significant additional local benefits to host communities, including through community benefit funding and new housing.
“As a business headquartered in Perth with a proud heritage rooted in the north of Scotland, we are committed to delivering our investment plans in partnership with the communities we serve.”
Mark Baxter, Caledonia Project Director, Ocean Winds, said: "This detailed survey sheds light on what matters most to the people of north and North-east Scotland and it is very encouraging to see strong levels of support, not only for the expansion of renewables generation but also for the grid upgrades that are vital enablers for new generation.
“Offshore wind projects in the North-east, part of the Ocean Winds portfolio, have been in development and operation for over a decade, and have long worked to stay closely connected to their host communities. These poll findings give us, and the wider Scottish offshore wind sector, encouragement to pursue our goals of unlocking the billions of pounds of private investment for upcoming projects but it is vital we have the policy environment to support this ambition.
“AR7 was a positive outcome for the UK overall, but the position in the north of Scotland remains challenging. Unless the issue of transmission charging is addressed, ScotWind projects will continue to face barriers to moving forward and being ready to compete in future auction rounds.”