The Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland, also known as FREDS is a partnership between industry, academia and Government aimed at enabling Scotland to capitalise on its significant renewable energy resource

Renewable energy in Scotland

The production of renewable energy in Scotland is an issue that has come to the fore in technical, economic, and political terms during the opening years of the 21st century. The natural resource base for renewables is extraordinary by European, and even global standards...

 and thereby secure economic benefits.

Chaired by Jim Mather

Jim Mather

Jim Mather is a Scottish National Party politician, former Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism and until the 2011 election, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Argyll and Bute ....

 MSP

Member of the Scottish Parliament

Member of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...

, a priority for the group is to assist the Scottish Government achieve its 2020 target of 50% of electricity generated from renewable sources. The forum has produced a variety of studies, including "Hydrogen and Fuel Cell opportunities for Scotland", "Scotland's Renewable Heat Strategy: Recommendations to Scottish Ministers" and "Scottish Hydropower Resource Study 2008".

The FREDS sub-groups set up in 2009 cover renewable heat, micro-hydro, hydrogen and community renewables.