Solar Energy Scotland
25 March 2026
Solar energy, the cheapest and quickest to deploy form of renewable energy generation, has been sidelined in the Scottish Government’s new Climate Change Plan.
The main paper does not mention the technology at all.
“To say that this is a missed opportunity would be putting it mildly, given that we find ourselves on the precipice of another fossil-fuelled energy crisis” said Josh King, Chair of trade group Solar Energy Scotland. “It’s a colossal disappointment, though not an unexpected one,” he added.
The plan was published yesterday, only weeks away from the elections.[1] It is only 44 pages long. In some areas, it simply summarises Westminster policies.
An associated annex mentions solar a handful of times, summarising actions already that have already been taken undertaken, such as extending permitted development rights. The only significant mention of future plans is replacing diesel and heavy oil-fuelled generators on Scotland’s islands with battery systems combined with wind and solar power.
The present situation contrasts markedly with the Scottish Government’s far more ambitious Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, which mentioned solar 89 times.[2] A 192-page draft was issued for consultation in January 2023 and was expected to be finalised later that year. However, this never happened.
As the draft said: “Our aim is to maximise the contribution solar can make to a just, inclusive, transition to net zero. We will support the sector to minimise barriers to deployment wherever possible and continue to provide support through our renewable support schemes. Solar is a long established, commercially viable renewable technology that has been at the forefront of decarbonisation efforts. It has seen great success in Scotland.”
An annex set out a ‘Draft solar vision for Scotland’, including plans to accelerate deployment on public buildings, address skills shortages and encourage high biodiversity on solar farms and set a deployment goal. It was also expected to be finalised in 2023.
“The contrast could not be plainer. The Westminster Government recognises the critical benefits of solar energy – from introducing new plug-in systems aimed at flats, to approving the largest solar farms. The technology is at the centre of responding to the fallout from the war in Iran – and solar installers are reporting a huge increase in demand from the public for rooftop systems. Meanwhile, Holyrood looks to be snoozing. Let’s hope the new government comes in with more vigour and drive for solar and adopts our manifesto to accelerate deployment and scale up the ambition,” said Solar Energy Scotland Vice Chair George Baxter.
[1] Scotland’s Climate Change Plan: 2026 – 2040 & Annexes – Scottish Government
[2] Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan – Scottish Government
[3] Solar Energy Scotland Manifesto
– ENDS –
Editor’s notes:
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