10 October 2001Momentum Grows In EnergyMoves to make the Western Isles a focus for energy related activities continued this week. On the day (Wednesday) that Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald visited the Uists the newly formed Western Isles Alternative and Renewable Energy Partnership (WIAREP) heard from two leading professionals in the energy field at a meeting hosted by the Stornoway Trust. Allan Mackie, Head of the Energy Efficiency Office in the Scottish Executive outlined how the Executive can play a part in assisting the Western Isles. He also explained the range of work that the Executive are carrying out on Energy Efficiency and the promotion of renewable energy. The second speaker was Maurice Millar, a leading renewable energy consultant, who has over twenty years experience in the field. Mr Millar was able to pass on his knowledge to the meeting and provide useful pointers on how to make progress. Councillor Donald M Mackay indicated that he was "glad to see that the Comhairle and partners are keeping the momentum going and driving the renewable energy agenda ahead. Hearing the two speakers today encouraged all of us round the table and if we can keep learning from the experiences of others then the prospects look good". After the meeting Mr Mackie commented that "the Executive certainly welcomes the collective responsibility shown in the Western Isles towards energy management. I know there is a lot of work to be done here and I was pleased to see such enthusiasm today. In the short term I hope that Western Isles residents can take advantage of my efforts to make the more environmentally friendly fuel, LPG, more accessible to car users. I am working very closely with the Energy Saving Trust through the Scottish Executive Funded 'Powershift' programme programme and we aim to significantly expand the use of LPG in the Western Isles over the coming months, building on the visit of the Deputy Minister for Transport this week" Ends Issued by Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
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