Projects per year
Abstract
This briefing paper considers the extent to which renewables in Scotland are shaped by the policy responsibilities and decisions of multiple governments: the Scottish Government, the UK Government and the EU.
Drawing on 12 interviews with representatives of industry and government, as well as a workshop bringing together academics with key stakeholders, the paper explores the significance of EU membership in shaping Scottish renewables and considers the likely effects of the UK’s exit from the EU.
Despite limited constitutional power, promoting renewables has been a key priority for successive Scottish Governments, central to both its environmental and economic policies. While the main policy drivers rest with the UK Government, stakeholders in Scotland place importance on the EU regulatory framework, EU funding and finance, multinational cooperation and long-term strategic thinking in supporting the development of renewables in Scotland.
Our briefing identifies varying levels of concern among key stakeholders with regard to the impact that Brexit may have on renewables in Scotland. Many expect policy continuity, irrespective of the UK-EU relationship. Others are fearful of the uncertainty surrounding access to the EU internal market, access to project funding, access to labour and expertise, and added costs and delays in supply chains in an industry heavily reliant on kit from the EU.
The biggest impact of Brexit to date has been the dominance of the issue on the political agenda, leaving little space for policy development in other areas, including energy. In addition to the regulatory, financial and trade challenges it may generate, Brexit has also reignited the debate on Scotland’s constitutional future, creating further uncertainties for the future of renewables.
Drawing on 12 interviews with representatives of industry and government, as well as a workshop bringing together academics with key stakeholders, the paper explores the significance of EU membership in shaping Scottish renewables and considers the likely effects of the UK’s exit from the EU.
Despite limited constitutional power, promoting renewables has been a key priority for successive Scottish Governments, central to both its environmental and economic policies. While the main policy drivers rest with the UK Government, stakeholders in Scotland place importance on the EU regulatory framework, EU funding and finance, multinational cooperation and long-term strategic thinking in supporting the development of renewables in Scotland.
Our briefing identifies varying levels of concern among key stakeholders with regard to the impact that Brexit may have on renewables in Scotland. Many expect policy continuity, irrespective of the UK-EU relationship. Others are fearful of the uncertainty surrounding access to the EU internal market, access to project funding, access to labour and expertise, and added costs and delays in supply chains in an industry heavily reliant on kit from the EU.
The biggest impact of Brexit to date has been the dominance of the issue on the political agenda, leaving little space for policy development in other areas, including energy. In addition to the regulatory, financial and trade challenges it may generate, Brexit has also reignited the debate on Scotland’s constitutional future, creating further uncertainties for the future of renewables.
Original language | English |
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Place of Publication | London |
Number of pages | 9 |
Publication status | Published - 21 Oct 2019 |
Keywords
- Brexit
- renewable energy
- Scotland
- European Union
- EU
- environmental policies
- policy frameworks
- regulation
- climate change
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Brexit and Renewables in Scotland'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) phase 3: theme 3 - Energy systems at multiple scales
Bell, K. (Principal Investigator), Xu, L. (Co-investigator), Frame, D. (Researcher), Hawker, G. (Researcher) & MacIver, C. (Researcher)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/05/14 → 30/04/19
Project: Research
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The Potential Impacts of Brexit on Energy Efficient Scotland Funding
Katris, A., Turner, K., McEwen, N., Munro, F., Cairney, P. & McHarg, A., 10 Jan 2020, London, p. 1-40, 40 p.Research output: Working paper
Open AccessFile -
The Impact of Brexit on the UK and Devolved Energy System
Cairney, P., Munro, F., McHarg, A., McEwen, N., Turner, K. & Katris, A., 3 Oct 2019, London. 8 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Open AccessFile -
How to conceptualise energy law and policy for an interdisciplinary audience: the case of post-Brexit UK
Cairney, P., McHarg, A., McEwen, N. & Turner, K., 30 Jun 2019, In: Energy Policy. 129, p. 459-466 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile17 Citations (Scopus)38 Downloads (Pure)