Islands renewables issue taken to London

Recent progress to connect renewable energy projects on the Scottish Islands must be sustained, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing will tell Secretary of State for Energy Ed Davey at a meeting tomorrow, Friday.

Following on from last month’s Island summit of key stakeholders, which took place in Stornoway, Mr Ewing will call for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to give prospective developers certainty on the level and availability of support – a key requirement for the development of vital network upgrades.

Commenting on the meeting, Mr Ewing, who visited Orkney recently,  said: “It is clear both the Scottish Government and the UK Government want to see the islands achieve their massive renewable energy potential.

“More than a decade after attempts began to connect significant renewable energy projects on the Scottish Islands recent progress must be sustained to achieve a positive result, and while I welcome the enhanced support announced recently by the Secretary of State back in December, success will be judged solely on whether the long-awaited high voltage connections are finally realised.

“The DECC need to address the key remaining issues that stand in the way of progress.

“In order for these long-lead time projects to be developed, those involved need to know that the right level of support will be available when it is required. If Mr Davey can give these commitments, we will greatly increase our chances of success.”

The independent Baringa report, commissioned jointly by the Scottish and UK Governments, demonstrated the massive potential of the Scottish islands to deliver clean and cost-effective energy to households on the mainland and support Scotland’s status as a world leader in marine energy technologies.