Western Isles electricity grid

Western Isles MP, Angus Brendan MacNeil, has expressed disappointment at the closure of the Western Isles electricity grid for new micro generation projects due to the lack of grid capacity in the Western Isles.

Angus MacNeil said the outcome would impact on local jobs and development.

He said he has been approached by local energy companies who can no longer continue developing the micro renewable sector due to restrictions on the local grid."

The MP said: ““Clearly the electricity market in the UK is failing the Outer Hebrides on multiple levels, an area which has one of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the UK.”

“I have contacted Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and asked that any outstanding applications pre-notification of this closure should be honoured and that they speak to companies involved in a mature manner to also accommodate projects that are on route to applications.

"From what I understand, that would include a number in Lewis and a substantial number in Uist and Barra."

He has also asked SSE for figures on recent levels of importing and exporting of electricity to the islands.

Mr Macneil said the islands "suffer a double hit of renewables being charged to export and consumers facing a surcharge" - further compounded the now limited access to micro generation.

Disappointment as local electricity grid shuts to new community schemes

9 June 2015