Allan expresses anger at interconnector delay 4/11/12
MSP Alasdair Allan has expressed “frustration and anger” at news that an interconnector between the Western Isles and mainland will be delayed by at least a year, and perhaps a longer, with implications for renewable energy projects throughout the islands.
The rising costs of the sub-
The cable is required to export renewable electricity from island windfarms to the mainland. Work on the proposed underwater link between Lewis and Ullapool was due start soon and scheduled to be ready in 2015.
Now work on the infrastructure on the Eishken turbine scheme has stopped and is only likely to proceed after the cable is confirmed.
Alasdair Allan said the interconnector delay is “deeply unhelpful for everyone who is working in the islands to promote renewable energy and other developments.
“The thing that gives me most concern is SSE’s constant reference to a likely delay in the project. For any community or other renewable projects on the islands this is not what they need to hear.
“The biggest concern of all is that delay leads to further increases in costs, something which itself carries the risk of still further delay.”
Mr Allan said: “I have been in touch with the Comhairle so that we can work together on this issue and have also contacted Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing, as I know that the Scottish Government are anxious to see this matter resolved.
“I believe that all of this also services to focus attention on the UK Government’s misguided policy of applying substantially higher transmission charges for island based renewable projects, compared to anywhere else in the United Kingdom.
“I remain convinced that a way forward can be found but it now seem that substantial pressure will have to be applied to made sure that the islands get a result that they deserve.”