Scotland’s potential for renewable offshore wind energy is a powerful source of wealth. This potential could be an economic and political leverage to help the pro-independence parties pursue separation from England.
Renewable Energy Is Compatible with the Paris Climate Change Agreement
The offshore wind industry is a top renewable energy source (RES) in the world which has been developing fast. This energy source could make a large contribution to efforts to decarbonise the economy in the future. The European Union plans to produce 240 gigawatts of offshore wind power in next three decades. Europe possesses 80% of the world wind capacity; in 2020, around 210 thousand people in Europe worked in this sector, and the number is rising. The Paris Climate Change Agreement, agreed to by an overwhelming majority of countries, plans to limit global warming to below 2°C and expand clean, renewable energies to achieve this goal.
Scotland is one of the main sources of offshore wind energy and owns one quarter of the European offshore wind and tidal resources. Scotland has 40% of the whole UK offshore wind and tidal resources and its waters have the potential to generate 10% of wave power in Europe.
Scotland Owns the World’s First Floating Offshore Wind Farm
Regarding renewable energy resources, the coastal district is a precious target area drawing much attention. Scotland has the world’s first floating offshore wind farm. Two of the largest offshore wind projects in the world are also under construction here. In addition, the largest floating wind array in the world is under construction in Scotland, which will add more electricity power to the market. The value of its natural environment for Scotland’s economy is enormous and can be the foundations of its rich economy. Scotland’s natural resources include wind, oil and gas and forest and timber, with substantial value in the country’s economy.
While Scotland’s population is 8.4% of the entire UK, its natural wealth consists of 34% of the UK’s entire wealth. This is likely to increase significantly, because during recent years Scotland has been generating huge amounts of energy from renewable resources. In 2019, wind farms in Scotland produced energy for 4.8 million homes, and this country has the potential to become a major exporter of renewable energies.
Scotland’s Offshore Wind, Tidal Energy Can Be Major Sources of Energy in Europe
The Scottish government intends to produce 50% of Scotland’s required energy from renewable resources and, by 2050, plans to have decarbonised the entire energy system. Scotland has vast renewable energy at sea as huge marine renewable sources, such as offshore wind wave and tidal energy. Its offshore wind will support the world’s leading wave and tidal sector, and the expansion of offshore renewable energy will help secure supply in Scotland. This secure renewable energy source makes it easy for Scotland to become a major energy provider in Europe.
The Scottish government provided a draft for the development of offshore energy in territorial waters to become a supplier of electricity. This can also lead to economic growth, increase local jobs, and be an opportunity for manufacturing and technology development. Several sites of wave and tidal energy generation are located in the strait of Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters, off northern Scotland that separates the two tidal regimes of the North Sea and the North Atlantic.
Renewable Energy Empowers an Independent Scotland
The northern coasts of Scotland possess huge amounts of renewable energy, and the North Sea also has oil and gas resources which the UK government wastes. Only 1% of Europe’s population resides in Scotland, but this country possesses 25% of Europe’s tidal energy sources, in addition to 25% of Europe’s offshore wind. Scotland is one of the world’s most naturally wealthy countries and it is important for Scotland’s wellbeing to protect its natural assets.
As an independent country, Scotland’s natural wealth could be among the key sources of its future revenues. A country as wealthy as Scotland with its vast natural resources would surely make efforts to control its wealth for its own benefit rather than accepting the distribution of benefits by Westminster. These natural renewable energy resources are key to an independent Scotland’s future. With its wind and tidal energy resources, Scotland is becoming a hub for clean marine energy in Europe and beyond.
SNP, Greens Want Development of Offshore Wind Sector
After Britain withdrew from the European Union, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson that a second independence referendum would happen and it is a matter of when not if. She has been very determined to achieve independence and has long emphasised that the UK made Scotland leave the EU against the people’s will. A few weeks ago, the Scottish National Party (SNP) announced a deal with the Scottish Greens, creating a majority in the Scottish Parliament. According to the Scottish government, this agreement makes it impossible for the UK government to oppose the independence referendum.
The SNP and the Greens have agreed to provide support for the marine renewables and offshore wind sector, and want to keep Scotland as one of the world’s leading countries in green energy production. They are seeking more investments in the renewable energy sector to support low-carbon electricity generation. As pro-independence parties have secured the largest ever number of seats in the Scottish Parliament, both parties agree to hold a referendum on independence.
Conclusion
Following Brexit, SNP’s efforts for Scottish independence are a foregone conclusion. One important issue for an independent Scotland is its economy and wealth. It has always been said that Scotland’s oil and gas resources off its coasts are for Scotland, but beyond oil and gas, there is more wealth along the country’s seashores. Scotland has one of the main sources of offshore wind energy and owns 25% of Europe’s offshore wind and tidal energy. Scotland has the world’s first floating offshore wind farm. Also, two of the largest offshore wind projects in the world are under construction here.
The offshore wind industry is a top renewable energy source for the future decarbonisation of the economy. This secure renewable energy supply makes it easy for Scotland to become a major energy producer in Europe. The Scottish National Party (SNP) has recently announced a coalition with the Scottish Greens to form a majority in Holyrood. The SNP and the Greens have agreed to provide support for the marine renewables and offshore wind sector and seek to keep Scotland as one of the world leading countries in green energy production. The value of the natural environment in Scotland for its economy is so huge that Scotland, with such vast natural wealth, would certainly try to retain the power to control its own resources.
