Isles grid connection on the agenda

Scotland’s Energy Minister Fergus Ewing and the UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey will today co-chair Scottish Island Renewables Delivery Forum.

Those behind the forum say that it marks a significant shift in focus from the establishment of policy proposals to the delivery of tangible results for the islands.

Key decision-makers from industry and the public sector will meet in Glasgow today to agree a timetable of practical actions to connect the Scottish Islands to the mainland transmission grid and unlock their huge potential to generate clean energy.

Mr Ewing said: “Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles can make a very substantial and cost-effective contribution to meeting the UK’s legally-binding renewable energy targets, and help safeguard our energy security. These issues cut to the very heart of the current energy debate and make the case for the development of renewable energy on the Scottish islands so compelling.

“The clear imperative is to put in place an action plan to enable delivery of grid connections and successful renewables projects on the islands – this is the objective of today’s meeting.”