Upbeat messages from sub-
Despite the upbeat messages after a high profile summit, there is still no concrete guarantee of getting an interconnector to export wind and wave farm electricity from the islands to mainland markets.
Thousands of jobs are at risk unless the sub-
There are fears that developers may simply abandon the Western Isles instead of hanging
on for the delayed cable which -
The Scottish Government organised the forum to bring all players in the issue round the table. It includes the Department of Economy and Climate Change, electricity regulator OFGEM, the national grid, renewable developers, the Crown Estate, the Green Investment Bank and grid operator SSE.
Scotland’s Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing, who hosted the summit said a range of actions were agreed to help overcome the barriers.
Mr Ewing said: “As energy minister for Scotland there are many things on my desk but securing connection of the island groups to the mainland electricity grid is at the top of my priorities.
“The enormous potential of wind, wave and tidal energy around Scotland's islands will generate a legacy for future generations and secure rich opportunities for our young people.
"We had an open and useful discussion on the real challenges affecting the island groups achieving their renewable potential.
"The next step, and a key part of delivering on these actions, will be to take what we have discussed to UK Ministers including the Secretary of State for Energy, Ed Davey.
“I am certain that with the continued political will of the islands they can fulfil their potential as supplier of renewable energy that can supply five per cent of UK electricity.”
Comhairle leader Angus Campbell believes that momentum is now developing to get an interconnector.
Mr Campbell said: “This is an extremely complex process but I think that there is now more clarity amongst the interested parties in the stages that we still have to go through to get the interconnector in place, though it is clearly taking longer than anyone anticipated.
“We impressed upon (grid operator) SHE-
“I would have liked to see a clearer commitment from SHE-
“However, everyone is now clear that the next move is up to SHE-
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) aborted an earlier contract to manufacture the £700 million link.
Whether the underwater cable is ever constructed depends on SSE and Ofgem -
Fergus Ewing referred to a joint UK and Scottish Government study which concluded some 10,000 jobs could be created by 2030 by tapping into the massive renewable energy sources in Scotland's islands
Neil Campbell, general manager at Bi-