Scotland more than ever needs accelerated action on the energy and the climate crisis, and yet geothermal energy, a significant and proven source of renewable energy, remains untapped
― The demands of the climate emergency are such that Scotland accelerate plans to decarbonise our economy and especially our energy sector.
― Ambitions to create a Scottish National Energy company may be realised by focussing on supply of heat which, unlike electricity, is a sector that is entirely within devolved competence.
― Geothermal energy has the potential to provide a large fraction of Scotland’s heat demand, particularly when considering the potential to extract heat from flooded mineworkings.
― This heat could be extracted using Ground Source Heat Pumps and delivered to homes via district heat networks.
― In this way, Scotland’s fossil fuel legacy can be reformed and the legacy of deindustrialisation left in its wake can be reversed. If developed via public-ownership Scotland can retain the returns on the investment in Scotland and, particularly, within the communities who would provide the thermal resources as they become champions of local renewable energy.