Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan consultation

The draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan was published for consultation on 10 January 2023 and set out our vision for an energy system that delivers affordable, resilient and clean energy supplies.

The consultation provided an opportunity for communities, workers, citizens and businesses to engage in the process of designing Scotland’s energy transition. The purpose of the consultation was to:

1. seek views on our vision and the actions we are taking to transition to an affordable, resilient and clean energy system; and

2. understand how we secure the maximum social and economic benefits from the energy transition for Scotland.

The consultation included 58 open-format questions and considered the following key themes: preparing Scotland for a just energy transition; scaling up renewables and reducing our reliance on other energy sources; energy demand; and ensuring that we create the conditions for a net zero energy system. We also asked for views on just transition outcomes, potential impacts of the strategy and for feedback on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the draft plan.

During the consultation period, a series of engagement events also took place to encourage discussion on a just energy transition. This included open, online workshops, specific industry-led events, thematic and sector specific engagement and awareness raising sessions open to everyone.

The consultation on the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan closed on 9 May 2023 and received 1,598 responses; 242 of these came through Citizen Space and 1,356 were submitted by email.

71% of respondents were organisations and 29% of respondents were individuals.

We commissioned independent, qualitative analysis of the consultation responses and the analysis report has been published on the Scottish Government’s website. The report presents the findings of the consultation and explains the methodology used to analyse the responses. We have also published the consultation responses in accordance with respondents’ preferences.

We are fully considering stakeholders’ views and the responses to the consultation will inform the final Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan. The consultation responses will also provide useful feedback and evidence for the associated impact assessments, helping to identify and address unintended consequences.    

We are continuing to work through the details of the analysis and plan to publish the final version of the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan by Summer 2024. Reflecting our ongoing commitment to a fair transition for all, we will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders as we work towards the final publication.