Energy giant SSE has been challenged to publish a timetable for new
connections from Scotland’s islands to the national grid.
It follows the publication of an independent report commissioned by the
Scottish and UK governments on what action is needed to help deliver
electricity grid connections necessary to unlock the green energy potential
of the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland Islands. It finds: “The three
island groups share significant challenges in getting grid connections off
the drawing board” and may be “upwards of four years” away. In the Western
Isles it says that SSE subsidiary, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission
(SHE-T), is required to make a needs case to regulator Ofgem for the
investment in a new interconnector (£700m plus).”
Angus Campbell, leader of the Western Isles Council said: “SHE-T holds the
key to unlocking grid potential and cannot be allowed to shirk their
responsibilities. They should immediately publish a timetable for
connecting the Scottish Islands to the national grid.”
A spokeswoman for the SSE said the council had been represented at an
Island Summit, where there was recognition that all parties needed to work
together. “It is therefore disappointing to note that they believe that
SHE-T is solely responsible for delays to the connection of island
renewables, particularly as the Energy Minister said that developers needed
more clarity on policy issues before committing to investing millions of
pounds.”
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