Hebridean Energy Future Conference Highlights "The Western Isles Offer"

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is calling on OFGEM to support an immediate 900MW electricity grid connection to the Western Isles.
The call was made at the Energy Futures Conference in Stornoway today where the Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Angus Campbell, also stressed that OFGEM should put in place a grid investment and reinforcement plan to ensure that the massive potential in marine renewables is not squandered by the lack of a strategic vision and foresight.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is also setting up a group to bring together developers, academia, regulators and Governments to find a way to break-through the discriminatory electricity charging system and to find a more imaginative approach to grid investment.

Mr Campbell stressed the opportunities available for renewable energy business in the Outer Hebrides but emphasized that the electricity charging system and the grid connections issues would have to be sorted to allow that potential to be realized.

Currently, transmission charges are based on how far the electricity has to travel from source to use. The Comhairle argues that this discriminates against areas such as the Islands which are furthest from where the bulk of electricity is used. However, it is these areas that have the richest resources of renewable energy.

Mr Campbell stressed that renewable energy developments were moving ahead in the Islands. He said: "The Pentland and Beinn Mhor Power projects have got planning consents; the Pairc project is with the Scottish Government awaiting determination and we have heard positive news in regard to a new project being brought forward on Stornoway Trust land.

"I am also happy to report that we have six community projects with full planning consents. It is essential however, that we convert these consents into operational projects which will deliver the required benefits and create much needed jobs and new economic and community activity."

Mr Campbell also stressed the renewables 'offer' available in the Islands, stating: "There is little doubt that these islands are home to the best wind and wave resource in Europe. In the Arnish Fabrication Yard, we have one of the leading distributed manufacturing facilities in Scotland. In Lews Castle College's Greenspace Energy Research Centre we have the capability to offer a leading commercial research facility to renewable energy developers.

"We have significant levels of transferable skills and a workforce that is both willing and able. I hope this conference reinforces these areas of advantage that we have and helps to consolidate and promote our 'Western Isles Offer' to renewable energy developers."