Allan quizzes UK government over sub-sea cable study 29/11/12
UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey is being quizzed over a study he commissioned into delays
over the energy interconnector between the Western Isles and the mainland.
The subsea cable needed to export electricity from island windfarms to southern markets
has been delayed by over a year and probably longer.
Soaring costs, fuelled by rising global demand for copper, has almost doubled the
price of the cable to £700 million.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) which operates the national grid in Scotland warns
of “real potential” of further delays to the new date of late 2016.
The disruption seriously hampers the development of wind schemes on the islands.
MSP Alasdair Allan said he was encouraged by Mr Davey’s indication that he is personally
committed to seeing a subsea power cable reach the Western Isles.
Mr Allan said: “We cannot risk endless delay to this project if the Western Isles
are to capitalise on its renewable energy potential.
“For that reason the UK Government has a duty to explain what form its present study
into this issue will take and whether it will make direct representations to Scottish
and Southern Energy and the other parties involved.
“I have written to Mr Davey making these points as the present position where SSE
are threatening a year’s delay to the project is not acceptable.”