The Scottish Government is to hold a summit on the crisis over developing
large windfarms on the islands.
There are serious fears that developers will walk away because the returns
will not be so lucrative.
It follows the UK government’s shock decision not to increase the subsidy
for onshore windfarms as much as hoped while shifting the focus on energy
schemes at sea
A second blow has been delivered by a delay to the final announcement about
charges to export energy onto the national grid which may also affect
sub-sea cables needed for the Western Isles and the Northern Isles.
Scotland’s Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing and the leaders of Scotland’s
three islands councils, have today announced plans to convene a summit
following what has been described as a missed opportunity by the UK
Government.
The summit follows a recent Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
announcement of additional support for Scottish island wind – £115/MWh,
compared to £90/MWh on the mainland.
“While this support for the islands represents progress following years of
work by governments, local authorities and industry, there is concern that
a one size fits all approach will fall short of what is required for
developments to proceed in all of the islands.
“The summit will also now consider the implications of Ofgem’s decision
this week to delay the conclusion of its transmission charging review –
Project Transmit.
Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Fergus Ewing said: “The
evidence that has underpinned work to date sets out different requirements
for each of the islands and we had expected to see different strike price
arrangements for each to reflect this.
“Developers will now need to assess whether this support will work for
them. If, as the evidence suggests, it will not, I will work with all of
the Scottish islands councils, and will move swiftly to bring UK Ministers
and all interested parties together to assess whether anything further can
be done to help deliver a positive outcome for each island group.
“The decision from the UK Government could result in a huge missed
opportunity if it does not work for all three of the Scottish Island
groups. Renewable energy on Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles has the
potential to provide up to 5% of GB electricity demand by 2030, and create
tens of thousands of jobs.”
Angus Campbell, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “The Comhairle
wholeheartedly supports the Scottish Government in its call for a summit in
early 2014 to bring all interested parties together to assess the position
and to ensure that an approach and mechanisms are put in place to ensure
developer confidence is maintained and that there is a clear timeline for
inter-connector implementation.”
Orkney Islands Council Convener Steven Heddle said: “The Scottish islands
can make a significant contribution to UK energy security.
“Orkney has already established a world leading role in the development of
marine renewable energy. With the right support in place, developers will
commit themselves to commercial-scale wave and tidal projects within
Orkney’s energy-rich waters.
“New grid connections are vital if Orkney is to fulfil its huge potential
for energy generation from the seas around us. I welcome the announcement
of the summit and look forward to working with both Governments to find
solutions that unlock island transmission connections for the benefit of
Scotland and the UK as a whole.”
Shetland Islands Council Leader, Gary Robinson said: “I welcome the
announcement of a summit, it is important that a positive dialogue
continues between all parties towards a solution which can work for all
three of Scotland’s island groups”.
0 Comments