Council defends energy pricing

Comhairle leader, Angus Campbell has hit back at criticisms the council is allowing a private firm to set the price for a council-led community electricity scheme.

Cllr Gordon Murray warned the commercial company operating a special community tariff for the Western Isles would be motivated to maximise profit for its own shareholders.

Comhairle Leader Angus Campbell said: “I’m afraid Cllr Murray appears not to understand the issues despite repeated explanations both in formal sessions of the Comhairle and informally by both officers and members."

Council defends private firm control of community energy prices

22 October 2015

He said Cllr Murray "failed to explain" where this cheap electricity will come from and how it is to be paid for.

He said the Comhairle and its partners in the energy supply company are engaged in a long-term process to try and bring significantly reduced electricity to islanders.

When large scale generation of electricity goes ahead within the islands the Hebrides Energy Company will be able to buy electricity from that supplier and set its own tariff. However, that will not happen until around 2020.

Until then, the Comhairle believe it is worthwhile attempting to achieve some reductions through an agreement with a private partner, said Mr Campbell.

Initial assessments suggests this approach could see local households saving an average of around £130 a year.

While larger bigger price cuts could be achieved in future years, "in the short-term it is worth trying to achieve a small but still worthwhile reduction, said Mr Campbell.

"Or would Cllr Murray prefer that local households miss out on a chance to reduce bills by £130 so that he can achieve a debating point about who does or doesn’t set tariffs?"

The council leader continued: "The Comhairle is working hard to achieve cheaper electricity for Island consumers. Why would we favour an electricity company’s profits rather than provide this benefit for Islanders? What would be the benefit to the Comhairle? The fact is, the way we are proceeding is the only way to achieve the aspiration of cheaper electricity.

"If Cllr Murray has another way of achieving cheaper electricity for local consumers, myself and the other Councillors would like to hear it.

"To date Mr Murray hasn’t come forward with any ideas or solutions. His time would be more productively spent working with his colleagues on solutions to difficult issues.

"If Cllr. Murray has ideas and solutions I am happy to sit down with him to discuss them. I am equally happy to sit down with him again to explain the present process and help him gain a factual grasp of the reality of this issue.”