Present:
Brian Adam	Mr Richard Baker
Chris Ballance	Susan Deacon
Murdo Fraser	Christine May
Alasdair Morgan (Convener)	Mr Jamie Stone
Mike Watson (Deputy Convener)

The meeting opened at 2.02 pm

1. Renewable Energy in Scotland: the Committee took evidence from:

Panel 1

Adrian Bull, Head of Technology Services, British Nuclear Fuels Ltd;

Panel 2

John Thomson, Director of Operations and Strategy, Scottish Natural Heritage;

Bill Band, National Strategy Manager, Scottish Natural Heritage;

Panel 3

Dr Dan Barlow, Scottish Environment Link, (Head of Research, Friends of the Earth Scotland);

Anne McCall, Scottish Environment Link, (Planning and Development Manager, RSPB Scotland);

Ian McCall, Scottish Environment Link, (Campaign and Policy Coordinator, Ramblers' Association Scotland);

on its inquiry into renewable energy in Scotland.

British Nuclear Fuels Ltd agreed to provide the Committee with:

information on BNFL's understanding of British Energy's current financial position;

information on the extent to which intermittency of supply from renewable onshore wind resources might be mitigated by their geographical location;

a breakdown of numbers of staff employed at BNFL sites across Scotland and their skills levels;

a summary of BNFL's engagement and liaison procedures with local communities at their sites across Scotland;

information on the potential for employment if a new nuclear power station were developed at Chapelcross in Dumfries (with reference to Scotland on Sunday article, 17 February 2002).

Scottish Environment Link agreed to provide the Committee with:

information from partner organisations in England showing that a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions in the UK could be achieved by 2020 without the construction of new nuclear power stations;

information on what sources of energy production Scottish Environment Link consider will be available to fill any potential gap which may occur by 2020 based on estimated for electricity demand up to that period;

information on levels of energy efficiency achieved in the domestic housing sector since 1997 in terms of the framework established by the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.

1. Renewable Energy in Scotland: the Committee considered and agreed a paper reviewing the progress to date of its Renewable Energy in Scotland inquiry.
2. Renewable Energy in Scotland: the Committee delegated authority to the Convener to approve witness expenses for claims relating to its Renewable Energy in Scotland inquiry.

The meeting closed at 4.44 pm

Judith Evans

Acting Clerk to the Committee