Scotland Could Swap Oil for Solar, Wind or Wave-energy

["greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

SCOTLAND COULD SWAP OIL FOR SOLAR, WIND OR WAVEENERGY, SAYS
GREENPEACE

UK, September 26, 1997 - Greenpeace is calling for a super
solar factory to be built in Scotland, a Scottish National
Party conference fringe meeting will be told today (September
26).


In its new report "Renewable Energy - An Opportunity for
Scotland", being launched at the conference, Greenpeace
also argues that as Scotland has the largest wind and wave
resource in Europe it is well-placed to wean itself off
reliance on the oil industry for future prosperity. The
report concludes that Atlantic Frontier oil is not necessary
either for Scotland's energy supplies, nor for jobs. 


The SNP is being urged by Greenpeace to review its current oil
policy because of the growing threat of climate change. The
existing policy encourages "exploration to increase
known reserves [of oil]" and support a tax regime which
would "enhance the development of marginal fields".


High up on the Greenpeace report's list of recommendations,
that it says will bring jobs and prosperity to Scotland,
is the creation of a super solar factory with backing from the
Scottish Office and local government. But the environment
group, that has been campaigning against new oil development
in the Atlantic Frontier because of the link between burning
fossil fuels and climate change, also calls for: *     Public
funding for wave energy research and development *     A
planning policy to promote wind energy in a way which is
sensitive to the landscape and encourages community
participation
in wind developments.


*    Development of an off-shore wind project in Scotland * A
massive energy efficiency programme "The world will soon
have to say 'no' to developing fossil fuel industries,
like oil, gas and coal, if it is going to save the climate,"


said Greenpeace campaigner, Pete Roche, who will address
the 'Future for Oil on a Warming Planet' fringe meeting.
"Science is telling us in no uncertain terms that we cannot
afford to burn a quarter of known fossil fuel reserves
let alone look for more if we want to avoid dangerous climate
change."


"Scotland could take a lead by developing new technologies. At
present the UK is lagging behind with very little investment
overall in solar or other renewables. Japan has a plan
to create 70,000 solar homes by the year 2000, whereas
Britain has only five ."


Pete Roche congratulated the SNP on its progressive renewable
energy policy to date, saying that the party had already
called for 50% of Scottish electricity to be produced from
renewable resources within 10 years.


"Our recommendations could help make this dream a reality and
enable Scotland to avoid being left with a legacy of
a dying oil industry, "


said Pete Roche.



"Even if we're aiming for the European Union's rather
dangerous target of keeping global average temperature
increases below 2oC over the next century, we're still going
to have to leave half of existing fossil fuel reserves in the
ground - it is nonsensical to continue exploring for more".


Notes to Editors.



(1) The 'Future for Oil on a Warming Planet' Fringe Meeting
will be in the Lesser Hall in the Pavilion at 6pm on Friday
September 26. Roseanna Cunningham MP will also speak at
the meeting. Pete Roche will be available for interview
before and after the meeting.


(2) SNP policy details extracted from"Yes We Can Win the
Best for Scotland: The SNP General Election Manifesto 1997"


(3) The Liberal Democrats Conference this week agreed on
a Climate Policy which aims for the safer target of keeping
global average temperatures below 1oC.


(4) Copies of the 'Renewable Energy - An Opportunity for
Scotland' are available from Pete Roche at the Conference or
from the Greenpeace Press Office.


(5) BP Solar coordinated a report in 1997 that shows that
solar electricity could be made cost-effective overnight
with the right investment. For ú350 m, which is just half the
cost of BP's current investment in the Foinaven oil
field , a super solar factory could be built that produces 5
million panels annually.


(6) Ninety MPs and many UK environment groups have supported
different aspects of Greenpeace's Atlantic Frontier campaign.
150,000 people have so far signed a petition calling on
Tony Blair to halt the oil development and invest in renewable
energy sources. 


Greenpeace Internet site at http://www.greenpeace.org