Press Release

How Do We Best Develop Renewable and Alternative Energy Projects for the Benefit of the Community and Environment of the Outer Hebrides?

A summit meeting to discuss renewable energy in thje Outer Hebrides is being held at An Lanntair, Stornoway on Monday 17th March.

The event has been organised by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to look at the way ahead for Renewable Energy development in the Outer Hebrides.

A keynote address will be given by Energy Minister Jim Mather MSP. There will also be contributions from HIE, LWP, SNH, RSPB, Stornoway Trust, Alasdair Allan MSP and Angus Brendan MacNeil MP. The anti-windfarm Pressure Group, Moorland Without Turbines (MWT), has declined to take part in the event.

The provisional agenda for the day is attached though it is subject to alteration.

The summit will be chaired by Bill Howat, former Chief Executive of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

OUTER HEBRIDES ENERGY SUMMIT
How Do We Best Develop Renewable and Alternative Energy Projects
for the Benefit of the Community and Environment of the Outer Hebrides?

MONDAY 17 MARCH 2008 - AN LANNTAIR, STORNOWAY

AGENDA (Subject to change)

10:00 Conference Registration

11:00 Welcome and Introduction
Cllr. Alex MacDonald, Convener, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

11:10 Keynote Address
Jim Mather, MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism

11:40 Scene Setting
Economy, Community, Environment and the Energy Potential

Session One: The Economy

11:45 Highland and Islands Enterprise
The Potential for Energy Generation in the Development of the Economy

12:00 Lewis Wind Power
A Developers Perspective – Doing Business in the Outer Hebrides

12:15 Dr. Geoff Riddington
Tourism: Research and Contradictions – What Are the Real Impacts?

12:30 Lews Castle College UHI
Innovation, Research and New Technologies – We’re Delivering This Locally

12:45 Mr. Angus Brendan MacNeil, MP
Energy and the Outer Hebrides: What Should We Aspire To?

13:00 Lunch

Session Two: The Community

14:00      Moorlands Without Turbines
               Views in Regard to the Development of Energy in the Outer Hebrides
               (LATEST: MWT have indicated they will not be taking part)

14:15 Stornoway Trust
Can Energy Generation Support Community Aspirations?

14.30 Western Isles Development Trust
The Potential Benefits and Our Proposals to Disburse These Benefits

14:45 Highlands & Islands Community Energy Company
Community Energy Development in the Outer Hebrides – the HICEC Approach

Session Three: The Environment

15:00 Scottish Natural Heritage
Our Approach to Energy Development in the Outer Hebrides

15:15 Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Our Approach to Development Applications and the Constraints on the Outer Hebrides

15.30 Boreas Ecology
The Environment and Energy: Do We Need to Adapt to Change?

15:45 Dr. Alasdair Allan, MSP
Energy: An Opportunity to be Seized?

16:00 Tea / Coffee

Session Four: Discussion and Conclusions

16:30 Panel Session: Question and Answer
What Have You Made of What You Heard? Your Opportunity to Quiz the Speakers

17:30 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Conclusions and the Way Forward

17:45 Close