Scotland has drafted a plan which paves the way for it to become completely powered by electricity from renewables by 2020. The plan sets new targets to meet 30% of overall energy demand from renewables by 2020, and to deliver 500 MW of community and locally-owned renewable energy by 2020.

The Routemap builds on the 2009 Scottish Renewables Action Plan and identifies major challenges: costs and access to finance, grid capacity and charges, skills, innovation, supply chain and infrastructure.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “The Renewable Routemap sets out the significant steps required to support this Government’s ambition to make Scotland a European powerhouse of clean green energy. The plan also reinforces the importance of securing an adequate connection with EU neighbours to ensure that UK demand is not a limiting factor on the ability for Scottish generators to dispatch and export their electricity, and contribute to Scotland’s future economic success.

The plan outlines a commitment to develop strategies for microgeneration and agri-renewables, and pledges to work with investors to create a Green Equity Fund to support community renewable projects.

Mr Ewing said: “Renewable energy provides perhaps Scotland’s greatest economic and environmental opportunity this century. Our new Routemap sets out what we need to do collectively to write the next chapter in Scotland’s renewable energy story.”