Urgent need for sub-
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has highlighted the Lewis wave energy farm scheme underlined
the urgency for a sub-
Developer Aquamarine Power has been granted planning permission to build a 40MW wave
energy farm off Borve on Lewis -
Up to 50 wave machines would create a huge 40 MW scheme with the capacity to power nearly 30,000 homes.
But the wave farm will never be built unless a £700 million interconnector is constructed to export its output
The cable project has been delayed indefinately as national grid operator assesses the project works.
Whether the underwater cable is ever constructed depends on SSE confidence that developers’ confidence are committed to building energy schemes in the Hebrides.
In addition to the wave farm, planned wind schemes at North Tolsta, at Stornoway and at South Lochs on Lewis remain in limbo.
Angus Campbell, leader of Western Isles Council said: “Our Atlantic coast represents one of the best wave energy resources in Europe and there is no doubt that the area can become a global player as nascent wave energy technology comes to market, benefitting carbon reduction targets and regenerating the local economy.”
He added: “We will continue to work with Aquamarine Power and other developers to make West of Hebrides the location of choice for what is sure to become one of the world’s most important industries.
“It is vital that developing technology like that of Aquamarine Power is retained in Scotland but, for that, we need to extend our electricity grid into the areas of best resource.”
He said the wave farm announcement “adds further weight to the call for our transmission owner, SSE, to move quickly on construction of this link for which there is so much consented demand.”