Conclusions and recommendations
1. As
a matter of urgency before any final, irreversible, decisions
on what sorts of power generation are the most appropriate for
Scotland are taken, we recommend that the Government undertake
an audit of the energy resources that are currently available,
and then to use that as a basis to work out the energy requirements
that will be needed in the future. (Paragraph 15)
2. Given the timescale
and uncertainty of "emerging technologies" the Committee
consider that it is unwise to assume that they can meet a quarter
of the renewable proportion of Scotland's energy needs. We would
urge that further research and development is urgently required
to ascertain their viability. (Paragraph 22)
3. Given the vast
reserves of coal within the United Kingdom, it must have a part
to play in meeting our future energy needs; therefore, coal-burning
power stations in the UK must be fitted with the equipment necessary
to capture carbon dioxide and sulphur. The Committee recommends
that the Government shows its commitment to the future of the
UK coal industry by agreeing to underwrite the cost of providing
and installing such equipment at coal-burning power stations.
(Paragraph 27)
4. The major problem
with nuclear fusion, which appears to be a particularly benign
and efficient way of producing electricity, is that it will not
be available until nearly the mid-21st century. As the UKAEA witnesses
stated, it is 30 years, at least, before a commercial fusion reactor
would be available. Nevertheless, nuclear fusion could be a major
source of power in the not too far distant future, although more
research may be required. (Paragraph 32)
5. The Scottish Executive
must clarify its position and state whether the "40 per cent
renewables" refers to generation or consumption. (Paragraph
36)
6. The Committee agrees
that the debate is not about renewables vs. conventional as both
will be needed. The energy audit recommended by the Committee
must, therefore, be on the basis that all current forms of energy,
whether renewable, fossil fuel or nuclear, will be necessary.
(Paragraph 37)
7. The Committee recommends
that a fundamental, and immediate, review of the transmission
charging regime takes place. (Paragraph 41)
8. The best way of
ensuring that Scotland's energy supply is maintained is by conserving
energy. We therefore commend the Government's current Energy Efficiency
campaign, particularly the television advertisements which seek
to convince the British people that one person can indeed make
a difference by simply switching off, eg, an unused light or lamp.
(Paragraph 42)
9. We commend those
companies who, under the Energy Efficiency Commitment, are helping
priority households to lower their energy costs by providing them
with free loft and cavity wall insulation, and those builders
who are incorporating, solar panels, for example, as standard
in or on their new build homes and office blocks. (Paragraph 43)
10. We call upon the
Government to continue to improve through national regulations,
the standard of building construction, both commercial and residential
to ensure that maximum energy efficiency is realised. The Committee
was impressed in its visit to the San Francisco Public Utility
Company at their efforts to ensure that minimising energy use
was integral to the city's planning processes for development.
We accordingly recommend that the government provide tax incentives
such as reductions in VAT, to encourage a rigorous energy audit
before any substantial development so that the developer works
towards a zero or minimal net energy demand. This should be extended
to existing homes. (Paragraph 44)
11. We concur absolutely
with the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee's conclusions
on the management of nuclear waste; we hope that the Lords Committee,
and this Committee's successor, will keep the matter under review,
and ensure that neither CoRWM nor the Government allow the July
2006 target date for a final decision on how to manage such waste
to be missed. (Paragraph 54)
12. We consider that
UKAEA, in conjunction with its partners, is doing all it can to
assist its loyal and skilled Dounreay workforce who are facing
an unsure future. We consider also that the Government should
stand ready to listen to any proposals put forward by UKAEA or
the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority etc to ensure that the workforce
are given all possible support. In addition, Dounreay contributes
approximately £80 million into the Highlands through salaries,
pensions, contracts and sub-contracts. Caithness and the rest
of the Highland Region must be assisted also to overcome the problems
which could ensue in a few years' time. (Paragraph 63)
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