Scotsman: Shale gas, not wind, is Scotland’s best energy source, says expert

SCOTLAND should re-think its “headlong dash for antiquated and inefficient wind turbines” and focus instead on emerging sources of power such as shale gas, a business expert has claimed.

Professor Jane Bower has criticised the Scottish Government’s focus on wind power, describing the cost of meeting its target of generating the equivalent of 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020 as making it “very impractical”.

In a submission to a renewable energy inquiry at the Scottish Parliament she questions the SNP ambition to turn Scotland into an exporter of wind power, arguing that Denmark now has to export most of its wind power at a loss.

Environmental organisations and enterprise groups criticised Professor Bower’s views and questioned her claims, while the SNP dismissed her concerns.

The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee is holding a renewable energy inquiry to examine the achievability of the Scottish Government’s renewable energy targets.

Prof Bower said in her submission: “There is now a real possibility that Scotland may become independent. Why would an independent England (or any other country) buy expensive Scottish wind power when it could generate much cheaper electricity using shale gas, or import cheap nuclear from France?”  MORE