DTI
12 November 2001
WILSON OUTLINES VISION FOR RENEWABLES
INTERCONNECTOR ALONG THE WEST COAST OF BRITAIN
Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy,
today laid out an ambitious vision
for the construction of an offshore electricity transmission grid
to
be built along the West coast of Britain, an area rich in renewables
sources, linking it directly to the mainland national grid.
The West coast of Britain has large
undeveloped renewable resources.
If these are to be fully exploited, there will be a need to upgrade
the existing electricity infrastructure. One possibility would be
the
development of an underwater cable to connect parts of the Western
seaboard of Scotland, North West of England, Northern Ireland,
Western Wales and possibly, the South West of England, directly to
the national grid.
An initial study, funded by the Government's
renewable research and
development programme, is to be carried out by PB Power Ltd, who will
look into the feasibility of such an interconnector. The study is
expected to the completed by the end of the year.
The study will look at a number of
issues, including: cost,
geographic location, and the extent to which renewable energy
resources can be served by an interconnector.
If the study confirms that the interconnector
is economically and
technically viable, a second study will follow to examine in more
detail cable routings and points of connection with the electricity
transmission network.
Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy
said:
"The UK has huge untapped renewable
resources, but much of this
potential can not be fully utilised at present because of weak or
non
existent electricity infrastructure in some places. The proposed
interconnector is a possible means of capturing this powerflow and
transmitting it around the UK, without encountering many of the
inevitable environmental concerns which land based transmission
systems would attract.
"The Western Seaboard, from
the Hebrides down to the West country,
could contribute far more of the country's energy needs if this
infrastructure deficiency can be overcome. The economic implications
of these proposals are enormous".
The Government expects to create
a #1 billion market for renewable
energy by 2010. The main driver for this will be the renewables
obligation which will put an obligation on electricity suppliers to
supply ten per cent of their electricity from renewable sources. In
addition a #260 million support programme has been provided over the
next three years.
Notes to Editor:
1. Brian Wilson led a visit to the
Western Isles on 26th July with
key officials from DTI & the Scottish Executive, including Anna
Walker, DG Energy at DTI and John Brown, Head of Energy at the
Scottish Executive. The visit included a workshop with the Western
Isles Council and other key partners to consider what steps can be
taken to develop the renewable energy potential of the Isles.
2. The Scottish Executive is currently
undertaking a study of the
Scottish electricity transmission and distribution network. This
study will identify constraints on the system and opportunities for
investment. This study is expected to be completed by the end of the
year. Information from this study will feed into the study carried
out PB Power.
4. The Government announced its proposals
for the new Renewables
Obligation on 5 October 2000 (News release P/2000/667). Copies of
the
latest Renewables Obligation consultation document are available from
the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/renewable/consultations.htm.
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