A report released by the UK and Scottish governments concerning the potential for renewable energy development on the Scottish Islands has found that renewable generation, including onshore wind and wave and tidal, on the islands could contribute significantly to the UK’s 2020 renewable energy targets. However, the cost of deploying renewables on the islands is also higher than comparable projects on the mainland due to the expensive transmission links that would be required to feed generated power into the National Grid.
The research study was guided and assisted by a steering group with representatives from the island communities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the transmission companies.
“The Government is keen to unlock the potential for the development for renewable energy on the Scottish Islands, but it’s vital that projects represent value for money for the consumer” said Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey. “The report being published marks a considerable step in progress towards making decisions about supporting renewables investment on the Scottish Islands. I am grateful to the renewables industry, communities in the Islands, and the Scottish Government - who have all participated so enthusiastically in this research.”
Fergus Ewing, the Scottish Minister for Energy Enterprise and Tourism commented that the report is a huge step forward to understanding the challenges for renewable energy developers on the islands but that it is also clear renewable energy can make a significant, cost-effective contribution to 2020 energy and decarbonisation targets if the issues around grid access and transmission charging can be resolved.
The report will help both governments to assess the possible options and a response, based on a full consideration of the evidence, will be published shortly.
Further information:
