Scotland has pledged to cut carbon emissions from electricity generation by over four fifths by 2030.

First Minister Alex Salmond revealed the new target at the Scottish Renewables-Scottish Enterprise Offshore Wind & Supply Chain Conference, Aberdeen.

In 2010 emissions from electricity in Scotland were about 347 grams of carbon dioxide per Kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity generated.

The target of 50gCO2/kWh by 2030 is in line with independent advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change.

Mr Salmond said: "We face a global imperative to tackle climate change and how we power our economies is a key part of that. Offshore wind has a strong, vibrant future, with plans to install up to 10 GW of capacity in Scottish waters over the next decade. More sites are being scoped for deployment in the 2020s – alongside commercial wave and tidal generation – as grid and interconnection upgrades and storage are further developed."

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But the First Minister criticised the UK coalition’s "mixed messages on energy policy and continuing uncertainty around Electricity Market Reform," including what he called a "lack of a decarbonisation target until at least 2016."

"Having stated our ambition for a largely-decarbonised electricity supply by 2030," Mr Salmond continued, "the Scottish government is now setting a specific target to guide our overall policy approach and set the context for decisions on applications for electricity generation. We will now consult with stakeholders on the implementation of this ambitious target. I join the industry, again, in urging Westminster to follow suit.

"With an unrivalled wind, wave and tidal resource, huge carbon storage capacity off our coast and world-class offshore engineering and innovation expertise, Scotland continues to provide the best natural and economic environment for low carbon energy investment. We will also continue to urge the UK government to ensure its industrial strategy for offshore wind gives the right level of support to the supply chain about further deployment plans as costs reduce and offshore wind becomes increasingly competitive as a source of low carbon electricity."

(IT)