Meeting the Electrification Challenge
A key strategy in the Scottish Government’s plan to reach net zero by 2045 is the electrification of sectors like domestic heating and transport, replacing fossil fuels with renewable-powered electric alternatives. With electricity demand set to rise, onshore wind energy will play a crucial role in meeting this growing need.
The electrification of industry is already well underway. Liberty Steel, for example, is transitioning from traditional blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces. This shift will require an estimated 1,000,000 MWh of electricity per year. Meanwhile, the Scottish Railway Network, with 25.3% of its tracks now electrified, aims to electrify an additional 130 km per year until 2035.
But it’s not just this move from traditional methods of energy consumption that is driving increased electricity use - data centres, which already account for 2.5% of the UK’s total electricity consumption, are expected to consume 6% by 2030. AI will allow us all to do more, much more, but will make big demands on the power network of the future.
In addition to industrial demand, Scotland’s heating needs present another major electrification challenge. Whilst Scotland’s annual electricity demand is approximately 35 TWh, the country’s heat demand is more than double that figure - around 80 TWh annually. As the UK works to decarbonise these areas, electricity demand is projected to rise by 10% by 2030 and could double by 2050.
However, Scotland has demonstrated that it can meet rising electricity demand. In 2024, Scotland saw a 27.9% increase in renewable electricity generation compared to the previous year, reaching 7,312 GWh in the second quarter alone.
Onshore wind energy, in particular, is a critical component of this success, providing a consistent, renewable power source that can support the nation’s electrification goals.
This type of renewable energy is a key driver in Scotland's transition to a net-zero future. With abundant wind resources, Scotland has the potential to generate significant amounts of electricity from onshore wind farms, which can help meet the increased demand from electrified industries and heating systems.
In fact, the Scottish Government aims to more than double the country’s onshore wind capacity by 2030, targeting 20 GW of onshore wind power, enough to power millions of homes and industries across the nation.
As Scotland continues its path toward net-zero emissions, onshore wind energy will play a vital role in the electrification of industry, transport, and heating. With growing reliance on electricity and a clear need for more renewable energy, onshore wind provides an abundant, cost-effective solution to help meet these demands.