David Ross
Highland Correspondent
SERIOUS concerns have been raised over the future of green energy projects
in the Western Isles following the decision of a developer to pull out of a
£200 million turbine scheme.
The French energy giant GDF Suez blames delays in the laying of a subsea
cable required to carry electricity to the mainland for its decision to
walk away from the planned 39-turbine project on the Eisgein Estate in the
southeast of Lewis.
Work on the scheme, which would power 100,000 homes and generate £1 million
a year in community benefit, was expected to begin last year.
GDF Suez, along with other developers, had been expected to underwrite the
£750m cost of the cable without which hopes of transforming the Western
Isles economy through the generation of green energy will be dashed.
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission, part of power giant SSE, estimates it
will be 2019 before the cable is laid.
Angus Campbell, leader of Western Isles Council, has been lobbying for the
interconnector for years. He said: “This is a blow for the renewables
industry in the Western Isles.”
But he added: “There are still huge opportunities in renewable development
in the islands and I hope a successor company can be found for the Eishken
project. Our aim would be to maximise the community ownership element of
such a company.”
Michael Rieley, of the industry body Scottish Renewables, said: “We need to
see meaningful regulatory and policy change to enable these vital
connections. Without these necessary grid connections, Scottish islands,
like Lewis, will be unable to realise their renewable electricity potential.”
A spokeswoman for SSE said: “It is widely recognised that there are a
number of outstanding issues of a policy and regulatory nature which
continue to affect the development of renewables on the islands, including
the Western Isles.
“The Scottish Islands Renewables Delivery Forum, which is co-chaired by the
UK and Scottish Governments, is seeking to address the outstanding issues.”
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