Scotland’s first minister asks the UK prime minister to support energy storage systems

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday, Humza Yousaf made a plea for proactive measures to bolster energy storage technologies, notably pumped storage.

Pumped storage stands out as the sole renewable energy source lacking eligibility for UK government assistance at present. Key figures within the industry concur that the establishment of a cap-and-floor mechanism is vital to secure consistent revenue for enduring energy storage solutions.

Greater powers and quick decisions are needed

The lack of devolved powers for the Scottish Government to influence changes in the electricity system has emerged as a significant hurdle, as highlighted by the First Minister. Urging the UK government to address this, Humza Yousaf underscored the importance of legislative solutions for expediting the process. He also voiced endorsement for the UK’s decarbonization targets, set to be achieved by 2035. Yousaf emphasized that energy storage from renewable energy sources (RES) is paramount for bolstering supply security and enhancing distribution management.

A UK government consultation conducted in 2022 revealed that pumped storage ranks among the most efficient large-scale electricity storage technologies. The government has additionally committed to establishing suitable support mechanisms for investments in energy storage facilities by 2024, aiming to optimize the entire power system.

Scotland holds a prominent position in the global renewable energy sector and is nearing the remarkable achievement of fulfilling almost 100% of its electricity demand through renewable sources.