Renewables firms fear a two-year delay to the Scottish Government’s key plans for energy and just transition is putting billions of pounds of investment at risk.
The Scottish Government confirmed its final Energy Strategy and Just Transition plans would be published in summer 2024 – more than two years later than originally anticipated.
Energy Minister Gillian Martin announced the timeline last week, along with consultation responses to both draft plans and independent analysis of those responses.
Trade body Scottish Renewables has launched a broadside against the government, saying this is "not the pace at which policymaking should move in an emergency".
Nick Sharpe, Director of Communications and Strategy at Scottish Renewables, said: “It is now more than four years since the Scottish Government declared a climate emergency. This document was due in Spring 2022 and a delay of more than two years is not the pace at which policymaking should move in an emergency.
“The UK Government is slowing down on its journey to net zero and many barriers still stand in the way of our industry’s continued development, so it is vital that the Scottish Government sets out as soon as possible how it intends to deliver on the undoubted promise of its draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.
“Make no mistake, we are in a global race to secure the enormous benefits of transitioning to a net-zero energy system.
"The renewable energy industry needs clear direction now to ensure Scotland maintains its position as a world leader in clear power, or we face losing the billions of pounds of investment that a first-mover advantage can deliver.”