A £1.2 BILLION underwater cable that will provide a boost for renewable
energy has been given the go-ahead.
Energy regulator Ofgem announced it has approved the link, which will see
more than 100 miles of subsea and underground cables laid in the Moray Firth.
At the same time it also announced plans to cut charges for green energy
generators.
Ofgem said that from April 1 2016, charges to these suppliers from the
transmission operator, National Grid, will more closely reflect their use
of the network.
The watchdog said this would benefit suppliers of wind or solar energy who
do not constantly use the grid.
First Minister Alex Salmond said both announcements are “welcome news for
the Scottish electricity sector and consumers”.
He added: “They support the transition to a low-carbon economy by
encouraging renewable generation in the areas of highest resource and
ensure Scotland continues to play a vital role in delivering security of
electricity supply across these islands.”
The subsea cable aims to connect 1.2 gigawatts of renewable energy – enough
to power the equivalent of almost 640,000 homes – with the grid.
The scheme, which is due to be completed in 2018, represents the largest
investment in the region’s electricity network since the hydro era of the
1950s.
Work on the project, which is being led by SSE subsidiary Scottish Hydro
Electricity Transmission, is expected to begin in the next few months, with
more than 600 jobs being created.
Mark Mathieson, managing director of networks at the energy company, said
it had worked hard to ensure “we have the best solution for connecting
renewable energy to the transmission system”.
He added: “’I am very pleased that it has been given the green light and we
will now work with Ofgem on the remaining details and focus on ensuring
that the new link is constructed in a safe and responsible way so that the
benefits it will bring in unlocking renewable sources of energy for decades
to come are realised.’’
Mr Salmond said: “The £1.2 billion investment by Scottish Hydro Electric
Transmission will ensure continued progress towards our renewable energy
ambitions, play a role in supporting future island generation and support
hundreds of jobs during construction. It also underlines once again the
essential role that renewable energy in Scotland has to play in meeting the
UK’s long-term energy requirements.”
He also said that Ofgem’s decision to “reduce the level of discriminatory
grid charges for electricity generators in Scotland is particularly welcome”.
Ofgem senior partner for transmission Martin Crouch said the new subsea
cable is a “major step forward for an essential upgrade to the high voltage
grid so that more renewable energy can connect to the networks”.
He added that the changes to the transmission charging regime are “the
result of an extensive consultation process and detailed analysis”, and
said: “The new arrangements more accurately reflect the costs of Britain’s
diverse energy generation and will lead to lower costs overall for consumers.’’
Michael Rieley, senior policy manager at the industry body Scottish
Renewables, said the subsea link would “significantly reduce bottlenecks on
the system, and could unleash over 1.2GW of renewable energy projects in
the north of Scotland which is enough energy to power the equivalent of
637,575 homes”.
Mr Rieley added changes to the charging regime are “a long-awaited, and
much welcomed, recognition of the value of the Scottish renewable energy
sector”.
He said: “The changes will help create a more level playing field between
generators on the Scottish mainland and those further south, which is
crucial if we are to make the transition to a low-carbon energy system
while also providing value for consumers.
“Despite our disappointment that the new charging regime won’t be
implemented until 2016, four years later than originally estimated, this
announcement from Ofgem is undoubtedly good news for the sector.”
Lang Banks, director of environmental body WWF Scotland, said: “Given the
urgent need to clean up the UK’s power sector, cut climate emissions and
keep the lights on, it’s bizarre we’ve had a system in place that has
effectively penalised some of the nation’s best locations for generating
renewable energy.
“While it’s a pity that the scheme won’t now start until 2016, we very much
welcome the news that an agreement has been reached to improve the
electricity charging regime. This decision should help to unlock much more
of Scotland’s massive renewable energy potential.
“Scotland already generates about a third of the UK’s entire renewable
electricity needs and has the potential to contribute more in the future
now that this agreement is in place.”
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