Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has backed calls from the SNP’s environment spokesman at Westminster, Mike Weir, for the UK Government to back its green sentiments with action and change the proposed charging regime for connection to the national grid and transmission of electricity over the grid.

Mr. Weir described the ‘insane pricing regime’ acting against the generation of renewable energy in Scotland. He was responding to the Prime Minister’s address on climate change.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Vice-Convener, Angus Campbell, said: “The Prime Minister’s increased commitment to renewables is welcome but needs to be put into practice. The Islands of Scotland have the best resources of green energy and yet our communities face the possibility of missing the benefits because of a prohibitive pricing regime. That cannot be allowed to happen.  It would not only stifle present projects but also possible future energy developments in wave and tidal energy. If we are to achieve the renewable objectives as set out by Holyrood and Westminster the most should be made of the resources of the Islands. All those with an interest in developing renewable energy in the Islands should seek to persuade the UK Government of the case and the Comhairle hopes to meet with our MP and MSP in the near future to discuss the issue”.

The need to accelerate the development of renewable energy is particularly relevant given the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy and the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance on Scotland’s Budget and Spending Review, together with the Prime Minister’s statement on climate change:

‘Scotland has a comparative advantage in alternative energy technologies, and, with 25 per cent of Europe's wind potential and vast renewable reserves, Scotland can be an international leader in this critical sector’ (Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy)

‘We want Scotland to be a leading nation in developing a sustainable way of life, reducing the impact we have on our local and global environment. That means making much greater use of our substantial renewable energy resource.’ (Scottish Budget Spending Review 2007)

‘On climate change, the Government is committed to a 60 percent reduction in emissions by 2050 and is consulting on the possibility of raising this to 80 percent. The UK will also commit to increasing its use of renewable energy sources to meet its share of a 20 percent EU target by 2020.’ (Prime Minister Gordon Brown)

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk