Scot-Govt. sneak out results of first geo-thermal energy feasibility studies

EXCLUSIVE

The Scot-Govt. has published the independent scientific reports it commissioned on the prospects for four geo-thermal energy sites – just hours before parliament was dissolved for the Scottish general elections to Holyrood.

Geo-thermal energy may be included in the next iteration of the Scottish Energy Strategy which Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has announced will open for consultation when the new parliamentary session opens in August.

The feasibility studies were undertaken by consortium comprising University of St. Andrews, Ramboll Energy Ltd, Town Rock Energy, British Geological Survey, Resource Efficient Solutions Ltd LP, Eden Estuary Energy Ltd, and Iain Todd.

The links to the four reports are here:

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/9242 AECC

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/8520 Fortissat

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/3520 Guardbridge

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/6881 Hill of Banchory

The reports all non-controversially conclude that they lay out suggested next steps for the nascent geo-thermal energy sector in Scotland.

So it is hard to see why the Scot-Govt. published them just as parliament was dissolved ahead of the Scottish general election – unless they fear the same kind of un-scientific popular NIMBY opposition which has grown up around onshore shale gas exploration could attach to this potential new energy industry since both involve deep-shaft drilling amid deep pools of public ignorance.