Scotland has 23 % of wind energy potential in Europe

In a finding that echoes the development of North Sea oil in the 1970s, experts say Scotland has enough potential wind and wave energy to look after its own needs and help supply the rest of the UK. Scottish Environment Minister Ross Finnie said the findings of an independent report represent a huge opportunity for Scotland. It has long been known that Scotland has the best wind energy potential in Europe, but the study suggests it is a hefty 23 % of the total.
Adding wave and tidal stream energy takes the potential generating capacity to 60 GW at reasonable cost -- equivalent to three quarters of Britain's existing capacity. There is a big gap between the potential available energy and what can reasonably be harnessed, but the independent consultants have found there is enough potential from onshore wind power to meet Scotland's peak-winter demand twice over without building wind farms on designated scenic areas.

A second report suggests there is enough room in the national grid to meet theScottish Executive's target of 18 % of electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade. "Both reports demonstrate that Scotland, both in environmental terms and in economic terms, stands to gain hugely from this potential energy resource," the minister said.