Institution's response to the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan: Third Report on Proposals and Policies 2018-2032

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers welcomes the ambition presented in the report.

However, Scottish Government’s Climate change plan: Third Report on Proposals and Policies 2018-2032 does not address the true complexities of the engineering challenges facing Scotland in order to meet this ambition.

Dr Jenifer Baxter, Head of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers said:

“Scotland has achieved a great deal with its level of renewable electricity over the past decade and this is a good news story but even if the 100% by 2020 is reached, that amounts to only 20% of Scotland’s total energy demand.

“By 2030, it is likely that both of Scotland’s nuclear power stations will have been closed and no new ones are planned; this in itself represents a huge loss of low carbon electrical power, which will somehow have to be made up over the same timeframe.  If the idea is that much of the additional electric power requirement would come from intermittent renewables, then Scotland would likely need several more Interconnectors.

“Where transport is concerned Scotland will remain a challenge for electric vehicles for some time due to the topography and distances travelled on a regular basis by those living outside the cities. The report does not provide an engineering based pathway to the phase out of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2032.

“It is important that the Scottish Government does not fall into the trap of the law of diminishing returns. We have seen great early successes, but in order to achieve the final ambition at a faster rate than is currently happening means overcoming significant further engineering challenges in heat, transport and industry.”