Grid operator backs Minch sub-sea cable 13/6/13
A sub-sea cable to export windfarm energy from the Western Isles to the mainland
is not expected to happen before 2017 despite a long delayed investment needs case
being finally submitted.
Last month SSE - which controls the national grid in the north of Scotland - said
the £780 million interconnecter will not go-ahead at present as planned.
Large wind schemes at North Tolsta, Stornoway and at South Lochs on Lewis as well
as a wave farm off the island’s western coast will not proceed unless the cable is
in place to send the energy to southern markets.
SSE said it was drawing up a new timetable and required confirmation that developers
are committed to building energy schemes in the Hebrides.
Today, the grid company announced it would present a strong case for the link’s go-ahead
to UK energy regulator, Ofegem, which now needs some weeks to assess the data before
giving approval or denial to the proposed cable.
SSE finalised its case after “positive indication” from UK and Scottish Governments
to tackle the extra costs of generating electricity from island renewables plus the
higher transmission charges which increasingly disadvantages generators the further
they are located from power hungry cities.
However, it highlights the “unknown timescale” depends on government decisions.
At the same time, developers need to confirm if they will actually build their windfarms
and now require “to consider the financial impact” on their respective projects.
David Gardner, SSE’s director of transmission, said: “The publication of the Scottish
Islands Renewables Project Report and its conclusions has been followed by some encouraging
discussions that have demonstrated a desire to overcome the issue of island affordability.
“In recognition of this we are submitting a Needs Case to Ofgem setting out a strong
case for the Western Isles link.
“After nine years of developing proposals for this link we are hopeful that Government
will help us make the case for this vital transmission infrastructure to release
the wealth of renewables on the Western Isles.”