1GW of wind energy installed in Scotland’s national forest
A new Scottish onshore wind farm has been installed with the capacity to generate enough energy to power 500,000 homes a year.
fergus ewing
Fracking ban calls issued as Keith Brown takes on Scottish energy portfolio
Fracking opponents have welcomed Fergus Ewing’s removal from the Scotland Government’s energy brief and called on his successor Keith Brown to ban the divisive gas extraction technology.
Fergus Ewing removed from energy brief in Scottish cabinet reshuffle
Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled her new Cabinet in a reshuffle which has removed Fergus Ewing from his energy role.
Exclusive: Scottish Gov mounts pressure on UK Gov over OGA appeals process
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing today called on the UK Government to spell out exactly where the the Oil and Gas Authority's appeals process would be held or risk losing out on a specialised skills set.
Ewing accuses Westminster of abject failure on energy policiy
Scotland's Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has said the UK Government has failed to keep the country's power stations open and protect energy security after Westminster brought forward plans to ensure there is enough electricity to meet peak demand.
£7.75million cash boost for tidal-energy project
Orkney firm Scotrenewables Tidal Power (STP) has been awarded a £7.75million grant to advance the commercialisation of its floating tidal-energy technology, it was announced today.
Scottish Government accused of dodging crisis in North Sea
The Scottish Government has been accused of trying to "dodge" the crisis in the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Almost 10,000 jobs lost in North Sea oil and gas sector
Almost 10,000 workers have now lost their jobs in the North Sea oil and gas sector, according to Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.
Ewing calls for unity to aid North Sea revival
Scotland's energy minister has called for unity in the battle to put the oil and gas sector on the road to a bright future - and insisted now is not a time for political point-scoring. Fergus Ewing said everyone with an interest in the North Sea industry should pull out all the stops to help it through a crisis caused by the cocktail of rising costs, the collapse in oil prices and a tax regime in need of an overhaul.
Energy Minister says plans afoot to revive “corpse” of Peterhead CCS project
Attempts are being made to revive the “corpse” of the carbon capture and storage (CCS) project which had been destined for Peterhead, Scotland’s energy minister said yesterday. But Fergus Ewing said none of the other options being mulled would be easy to put into practice. Plans to build the CCS plant were derailed in November following the UK Government’s decision to cut £1billion worth of funding for the technology.
Fergus Ewing: End the trash talk
There is little doubt that the ongoing period of low global prices poses significant challenges for the oil and gas sector and our thoughts remain with the workers, such as those facing redundancy at BP, who have been affected.
Opinion: We will do all we can to support North Sea workers
As 2015 draws to a close, we are on track to see the first annual rise in oil production for 15 years. This fact may seem strange to those who have only considered the sustained low oil price that has dominated the headlines in 2015, but it is a positive sign from an important industry that is adapting to a changed landscape. DECC statistics show that production of petroleum is 32% higher and natural gas production is 8.6% higher in the three months June to August 2015, compared to the same period in the previous year.
Ministers agree £195,000 package for steel plants
Scottish Government Ministers have agreed a support package worth £195,000 to retain staff at two steel plants. The move will see a number of staff paid 60% of gross salary and advanced training to ensure the plants – Dalzell and Clydebridge – can reopen quickly.
Renewables puts £10million back into Scottish community
The Scottish Government said the renewables industry has helped to put £10million back into the Scottish community following a record year. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said there were now more than 150 projects on the community renewables register with millions of pounds paid out to communities from renewables developments. Meanwhile a target for community or local ownership of renewables was met five years early, with 508MW of capacity now operational.
EV Insights: Energy Voice’s top columns from 2015
Throughout the holiday season Energy Voice will be taking a look back at some of our most read columns from 2015. From oil and gas leaders, politicians and leading think-tanks here’s what the industry was talking about this year.
Bid to find new operator for Tata steel plant continues
Efforts to secure a new operator for two closure-threatened Lanarkshire steel plants will continue, Business Minister Fergus Ewing has vowed.
Highland windfarm schemes rejected by Scottish Government
Ministers have refused to give consent to two proposed wind farms in the Highlands as they would have a “significant and unacceptable” impact on landscape.
Ewing calls for end to uncertainty over renewable heat incentives
The uncertainty surrounding Renewables Heat Incentives for Scottish businesses has gone on too long, according to Scottish Energy Minister Fegus Ewing
UK stance on renewables “anti-business and anti-environment”
Holyrood’s Energy Minister has hit out at David Cameron over his “perverse“ stance on renewables.
Scottish Government puts moratorium on underground coal gasification
The Scottish Government has announced it has put in place a moratorium on underground coal gasification (UCG) in Scotland, following on from its existing fracking moratorium.
Opinion: Smoke, mirrors and hot air
At time of writing, 5% of the UK’s electricity consumption is coming from wind. Another few per cent is powered by other renewables, mainly long-established hydro; 39% from gas, 21 from nuclear and 22 from coal.
Updated: Renewable figures highlight risk of cutting subsidies – Ewing
New figures showing Scotland’s progress towards decarbonising electricity generation demonstrate the risks posed by removing support for the renewables industry earlier than planned, energy minister Fergus Ewing has said.
Hundreds attend energy jobs fair in Aberdeen
Around 800 people attend a jobs fair in Aberdeen today as the the Energy Jobs Taskforce met in the city to drive forward work supporting more than 2,500 individuals and 100 employers through the current downturn in the oil and gas industry.
Energy Minister calls for UK Government action to support oil and gas sector
Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has called on the UK Government to make further commitments to the help the North Sea oil and gas industry and take action on protecting the stability of the oil and gas fiscal regime. In a briefing at Holyrood to politicians he said there needed to be an urgent consultation on inventives to boost further exploration in the North Sea. Ewing also urged the UK government to make a commitment there would be no tax increases for the industry and any significant policy proposals should be in consultation with both industry and the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).
Opinion: Turbines and tourism can co-exist
After a survey conducted by anti-windfarm campaigners revealed the developments were driving visitors away from Scotland, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing explains why he believes turbines and tourism can co-exist. A successful tourism industry is absolutely vital for Scotland's economy. In 2014, there were 15.7 million overseas and domestic visits, up 10% on the previous year, with tourists spending nearly £5billion. As both energy and tourism minister I warmly welcome the great work being done in this area and we will work to ensure this success story continues.