Transmission charging is not fit for purpose, say Parliamentarians

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael and Orkney MSP Liam McArthur have targeted a reform in transmission charging, after the Scottish Parliament’s economic committee found that Scottish islands are disadvantaged by uneconomic charging systems.

The study found that island generators have a “distinct disadvantage” compared to the Scottish mainland, and recommends that Ofgem take action to create a level playing field.

The Holyrood committee also concluded that there was no “robust” evidence that renewable energy developments are hurting Scotland’s tourism industry.

Commenting, Alistair Carmichael MP said: “Ed Davey, the UK energy secretary, made clear that he appreciated the difficulties that the current transmission charging regime is causing when he visited Shetland earlier this year. We now have a cross-governmental working group in place that will be looking at how we can move things forward and deliver the solutions that Scotland needs.”

Liam McArthur MSP added: “This report from the energy committee reinforces what has been patently obvious for some years now. The current system of transmission charging is not fit for purpose and needs to be amended if we are to harness the Northern Isles’ renewable resources fully.”