Crown Estate backs huge renewable power networkPosted on 17/01/2008 A new report has suggested that a US$10 billion undersea cable network could be set up to bring renewable power from Scotland's most northerly islands to the rest of Europe.Shetland and Orkney are prime areas for the generation of wind and wave power, but their remote location has raised issues over electricity grid connection.
Now a new report from the Crown Estate says it would certainly be economically and technically feasible for such a project to take place. An initial phase connecting to the southeast of England could cost in the region of US$3.4 million, with the later European wide implementation taking place before 2020.
The Crown Estate - owner of most of the UK's sea bed - began looking into the practicality of a high-capacity offshore electricity line last year. This came in response to the growing demand for sustainable sources of green fuel.
Rob Hastings, director of the marine estate at the Crown Estate said: "This report confirms that an undersea cable down the east coast is technologically and economically viable and we have now commissioned more detailed studies.
"The prospect of taking green energy right down the east coast to heavily populated areas in the south, and potentially to the rest of Europe, is incredibly exciting: today's report brings that key infrastructural development one step closer."
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