Grid issue highlighted

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur yesterday urged the First Minister to support efforts to address grid capacity constraints in the islands.

During First Minister’s Questions, Mr McArthur highlighted the problems created by the effective ‘moratorium’ on connecting to the local grid, including a potential loss of revenue, jobs and investor confidence.

In response, Mr Salmond highlighted his recent discussions with DECC Secretary of State, Ed Davey on the need to address the issue of transmission charging.

He failed to address the specific requests made by Mr McArthur for the First Minister to make personal representations to SSE and support an urgent review of proposals developed by Orkney Islands Council to increase electricity demand and thereby ease constraints locally.