Location notice
Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in Scotland.
Updates
A new report has since been published in this series – please see the 2020 report for the most up to date information.
As a result, the figures in this publication are no longer applicable and should not be used. Historical reports remain available online to show changes to the methodology over the duration of the reporting series.
Much of the data used for the Renewable Heat in Scotland report is reviewed and updated on an annual basis, therefore improvements to the historical published figures will only be found in the latest report. These improvements may be due to access to new or improved datasets, changes to the methodology or corrections.
Background
In June 2009, the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland (SDC) produced a report for the Scottish Government entitled Renewable Heat in Scotland. SDC estimated that in 2008/09, 845 GWh of renewable heat was being generated from a total renewable capacity of 0.23 GW. This was equivalent to 1.4% of Scotland’s forecast non-electrical heat demand in 2020. As part of this work, SDC also developed a renewable heat database recording the details of known operational and upcoming renewable heat installations in Scotland.
Energy Saving Trust was asked by the Scottish Government to update the SDC’s renewable heat database with installations now known to be operating, those currently under construction and those in planning, and to produce a short report of the findings, including an update of the estimates of capacity and heat production based on the data obtained.
The database has now been updated with new information on heat generated from renewable sources during the 2011 calendar year.
For any questions or comments relating to the Renewable Heat Database or accompanying analysis and report please contact RenewableReporting@est.org.uk.
Summary of key findings
We estimate that:
- in 2010/11, an estimated 0.411 GW of renewable heat capacity was operational in Scotland, producing an estimated 1,696 GWh of renewable heat energy
- this equates to 8% of Scotland’s forecast non-electrical heat demand in 2020