Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has welcomed the consultation process launched by Ofgem on regulatory approaches to Electricity connections to Scottish Islands. Ofgem has published an ‘Open Letter’ in which they set out the options for connections to the Islands and have invited responses.

 

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will examine the paper in detail before responding.

 

Chairman of Sustainable Development Archie Campbell, said: “In order to gain from the potential of its renewable energy resources it is vital that appropriate connections from the Western Isles to the mainland are in place as soon as possible, both for wind developments and future marine projects. The Comhairle believes that the Western Isles stand to benefit from the development of renewable projects in the Islands but there is also a wider national interest for the whole of the UK in terms of providing clean electricity from a secure source. We would therefore support all means which would enable this to happen sooner rather than later, including tendering which is listed as one of the options.”