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Energised backing for renewable economy 5/7/10
Western Isles Council pans to “refresh” its Energy Innovation Zone strategy which aims to firmly put renewable energy in the local economy.
Council leader Angus Campbell said there was a need to “redouble
our efforts to market and re-
renewable energy destination.”
He added: “The Comhairle and our partners will shortly complete a refreshing of our "Energy Innovation Zone" concept.
“I am convinced that the vision within "Energy Innovation Zone" which
sees the Outer Hebrides as a leader in generation, storage, research,
design and manufacturing, is correct and one that we must build and
deliver on over the next period."
Mr Campbell reflected on last week’s Energy Futures conference held in Stornoway.
The 80 delegates from as far afield as Madrid, Vienna, Berlin and Trondheim all viewed the Outer Hebrides as an area offering remarkable potential.
They heard from a range of marine developers who are moving
closer to deployment and view the Outer Hebrides as their destination of
choice.
The potential of delivering hundreds of mega watts of power from
the marine environment in the medium term was seen as being highly
realistic by the developers in attendance.
The new Stornoway Wind Farm project, which aims to develop a project on
Stornoway Trust land by 2014 was launched at the Conference. This
project will add to the generating capacity from the Outer Hebrides,
which includes a range of consented commercial and community projects.
Delegates were impressed that the entire fabrication process, including
deep water assembly, can be undertaken at Arnish Point. At Lews Castle
College delegates visited the Greenspace Research facility, a leading
commercial research capability, which is able to stream live data from
renewable devices.
Personnel from National Grid and Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission
Limited confirmed to the conference that a significant connection to the
grid is on the way and that there is potential for further enhancement,
including the potential for a west-
Angus Campbell said: "This conference was a highly positive event that under-
“Delegate after delegate stated that we "have it all" here in the Outer Hebrides
-
skilled workforce and leading edge research and development
capabilities. These elements come together to form a very attractive
package that is very enticing to the renewable energy sector.
"The Comhairle is also seeking to bring together all local developers
and regulators by the end of July to explore the issues that are holding
back local potential.
“I am very hopeful that this meeting will ensure that the conditions are put in place for the further development of a thriving Hebridean renewable energy industry."