Energy Framework
First published as a Word document: November 2018
Created as a webpage: August 2026
Introduction
Energy, both renewable and non-renewable, is one of Scotland’s largest and most important resources. It is an essential resource that enables social and economic development, however while energy is fundamental to the economy its production, transmission and use can have significant environmental impacts.
Scotland has an ambitious approach to energy policy that aims to deliver energy security, an integrated and localised approach to production, transport and use, and decarbonisation of the energy system by 2050. A successful 21st century country will have a sustainable, efficient energy system that can keep our businesses and public services running, and alleviate fuel poverty while promoting sustainable growth and not jeopardising climate and environmental ambitions.
SEPA’s statutory purpose directs us to protect and improve the environment, in ways that as far as possible create social and economic success; this provides us with the opportunity to support Scotland in:
decarbonising its energy system
reducing the impacts, environmental and social, that can be associated with electricity and heat generation, transmission, and use
creating economic opportunities for communities and industry driving innovation and investment
This framework sets out SEPA’s approach to energy and will be integral to the delivery of our broader regulatory strategy.
Bigger picture
Globally as well as nationally, access to affordable and efficient energy which minimises damage to the environment or health is essential to implementing social and economic development and alleviating inequalities, while reducing the pressure on global resources.
How we use and manage our energy resources is central to our ability to live within the resources of our planet. Scotland is demonstrating strong leadership in the transition to a sustainable low carbon economy, and we recognise that energy is one of the most important factors in achieving this. We also understand the complex considerations that must be taken into account when undertaking such a transition. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050, and this is not possible without transitioning to a decarbonised energy system.
The Scottish Government has made decarbonisation of the energy system by 2050 a core aspect of its Scottish Energy Strategy (2017). To enable Scottish businesses to continue to operate and grow, consideration and action will need to be undertaken now to ensure today’s decisions do not become tomorrow’s stranded assets.
The scale of the environmental challenge facing humanity is enormous, with a need for a real urgency to act. SEPA, a delivery agency for the Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy, can work in partnership with, and support, Scottish businesses in maximising their sustainable economic opportunities. We can use our regulatory tools, experience, knowledge and partnership approach to help to influence improved decision-making regarding electricity and heat production, transmission, storage and use.
Scottish Energy Strategy: The future of energy in Scotland
Scotland's first Energy Strategy will guide the decisions that the Scottish Government, working with partner organisations, will need to take over the coming decades. The strategy sets out the vision for the future energy systems in Scotland.
Vision: A flourishing, competitive local and national energy sector, delivering secure, affordable, clean energy for Scotland's households and businesses
The energy strategy vision is built around six priorities for a whole-system approach that considers both the use and supply of energy for heat, power and transport.
Energy priorities:
consumer engagement and protection
energy efficiency
system security and flexibility
Innovative local energy systems
renewable and low carbon solutions
oil and gas industry support including decommissioning and carbon capture storage
This strategy highlights the connections between the energy system and all parts of the economy, and its importance to sustainable, inclusive growth. It also makes a stronger commitment to improving the Scottish Government's approach to public awareness raising and engagement on energy issues.
Our Energy Framework
To be a first class environmental protection agency and an effective delivery agency for the Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy, we need to use all our regulatory levers, influence and partnerships in a more effective way to bring environmental, social and economic objectives together.
Scotland is an energy-rich nation with significant resources of renewable energy as well as oil and gas reserves. SEPA can work with regulated businesses to help drive the use of the most suitable energy sources, improve energy storage, increase energy efficiency and productivity (increased output from every unit of energy used) while minimising wasted energy. These areas are part of a cycle of energy use that can enable social and economic success while limiting adverse impacts on our environment.
The energy cycle priorities below demonstrate how SEPA will, through our collaborative work and our regulatory role, we will work with other delivery agencies to help Scottish business make choices that reduce the impacts, environmental and social, that can be associated with electricity and heat generation, transmission, and use. To reduce the environmental impact of energy all businesses need to consider how and where they source and use energy. The impact or benefits of energy choices do not start or finish at the site boundary.
Energy cycle priorities:
sustainably source - the most sustainable option will be site and process dependent
reduce - efficiency measures plus reuse of excess energy within own process
recovery - surplus heat, gas or electricity provided to third party
Our vision
Scotland is sourcing, transmitting and using energy in a sustainable way, increasing environmental protection and creating prosperity
As a delivery agency under the Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy, SEPA has developed this Energy Framework to clarify our remit. It highlights how we will work with partner agencies, communities, businesses, academic institutions and other public bodies to play our part in the continued decarbonisation of Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity.
SEPA's levers
To support the delivery of Scottish Government's Energy Strategy and our Energy Framework we will:
act as a delivery agency for the Scottish Government's Energy Strategy
embed positive energy actions into our regulatory measures
influence and drive energy decisions in planning policy development and implementation
maximise existing partnerships and build new partnerships to support innovative energy solutions
produce and share evidence and research regarding energy use and environmental impacts
regulate to drive and support greenhouse gas emissions reductions
regulate, influence and support improvement energy efficiency and low carbon heat solutions
regulate to protect and enhance Scotland's environment
Our aims
Innovation can be daunting, whether as a technology developer, investor or implementer. However, there are many good examples of innovating designs, behaviours and technologies leading to increased decarbonisation and improved environmental performance. We understand the benefit to Scotland of low carbon developments that also minimise wider environmental impacts and we will support and encourage innovation.
What success will look like:
business is confident it can receive clear and consistent advice regarding regulatory requirements for novel energy approaches
SEPA and its partner agencies will provide easily accessible information and advice on a range of areas including funding, technical and environmental advice and guidance
research bodies are keen to ensure their products and approaches meet environmental regulatory requirements before undertaking further research or development
What we will do:
support the use of environmentally sensitive renewable energy and other low carbon compliant technologies where appropriately scaled, located and mitigated
encourage a diversity of energy sources that integrate energy supply and demand, especially supporting efficient use of surplus heat, and heat from low carbon sources
support technology research and the development, demonstration, environmental assessment and commercialisation of new clean technologies
seek to inform and influence decisions made now, so that they do not unduly lock Scotland into a higher than necessary carbon future, and support policy and legislative certainty to reduce project risk
pro-actively help sectors and regulated business achieve compliance outcomes with the lowest carbon footprint and in ways that improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
provide additional support to businesses that are piloting innovative and new approaches to help drive energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reductions
Decarbonisation of the energy system provides a great opportunity for local energy solutions to be implemented in a way that ensures local communities reap the benefits from the associated environmental, social and economic successes that it offers.
What success will look like:
the decarbonisation of heat and increases in energy efficiency have been implemented in a way that means that communities are benefiting from warmer homes and places of work and, as the heating becomes more local in source, communities benefit from the wider social, economic, health and regeneration benefits
community opportunities are identified and are core to the planning and designing of low carbon energy solutions
businesses and communities work in partnership to deliver local energy projects and solutions that provide wider community benefits
communities are supported in developing their local energy schemes and empowered to seek innovative solutions that deliver energy benefits and drive a circular economy approach to local energy provision
What we will do:
SEPA will work in partnership with, and support, Scottish communities and businesses in recognising energy supplier and customer opportunities
use voluntary initiatives to specifically showcase and inspire low carbon energy innovation
we will use our experience, knowledge and partnership approach to help to influence decision making from the earliest stages of design and planning
engage early with stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making through promotion and provision of clear and accessible information
provide information that empowers people to make decisions. We will use data and information to underpin policy development at national and local levels, inform regulatory interventions and report on a range of issues including the availability and utilisation of waste heat
work with planning authorities to encourage strong energy resource planning policies in all development plans and encourage new industrial facilities to be situated in the most appropriate location
work collaboratively, both internally and externally, to ensure opportunities that deliver circular economy benefits are identified and supported to drive reductions in energy, water and waste use
Reducing energy consumption and increasing energy productivity, through implementation of physical and behavioural energy efficiency measures not only improves the bottom line for businesses but it also delivers real environmental improvements locally, nationally and globally. Collaborative working and 21st century regulation must put energy efficiency at the heart of its work. Scottish business is already aware of the importance of energy efficiency and there are good examples of innovation and improvement. We want to help move these examples from exemplar to embedding them across business sectors.
What will success look like:
business considers energy consumption as a key component of their operation e
energy efficiency opportunities are identified and measures are implemented
there is a reduction in overall energy consumption in Scotland.
products are designed with energy efficiency at their core.
behaviour, economic and business decisions are driven by productivity with energy efficiency at their core
What we will do:
ensure that every enforcement undertaking includes at least one significant energy or resource efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction action for the business and its supply chain
maximise existing partnerships and build new partnerships to support energy efficiency solutions to provide a clear path for businesses to implement measures that deliver a strong low carbon economy that minimises environmental impacts
Energy is fundamental to the economy however, electricity and heat production, and energy transmission and use can have significant environmental impacts. Environmentally sensitive, low carbon energy solutions are key to delivering long-lasting environmental, social and economic success.
SEPA can help business to recognise the opportunities available to utilise low carbon, environmentally sensitive energy sources not only in their own processes but also in those of their associated supply chain. We will work with partners and business to identify where opportunities might exist to minimise environmental impacts associated with energy use. We can use our partnership opportunities to help business access advice and guidance and will use our regulatory levers to drive behaviours that support low carbon energy use.
What will success look like:
low carbon energy solutions that minimise impacts on the environment are identified, supported and implemented
our regulatory and collaborative tools make a positive contribution towards a low carbon economy
our regulatory and collaborative tools help to encourage the use of energy in a way that that minimises environment impacts
What we will do:
work with business to help them make choices that reduce energy consumption and deliver the associated economic, environmental and social successes that arise from efficient low carbon electricity and heat generation, transmission and utilisation
work in close partnership with others, including enterprise agencies, industry and their representative bodies, Zero Waste Scotland, Resource Efficient Scotland, Revenue Scotland and Scottish Government, to help deliver Scotland’s Energy Strategy aspirations for industry
invest in our staff to ensure they are skilled and equipped with the right tools, knowledge and
training to help implement a low carbon Scotland