Energy and The Environment Seminar

Climate change and the decreasing availability of fossil fuels will mean a greater dependency on renewable energy sources but there is also a need for individuals and organisations to be more efficient in their use of energy. These were some of the key messages to emerge from a seminar on energy held at Lews Castle College last week.

The open seminar, 'Energy and the Environment', attracted over 70 people who came along to find out more about energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate change.

The well received event was organised by the Western Isles Alternative and Renewable Energy Partnership (WIAREP) and sponsored by the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office.

Those who attended heard that statistics indicate that winters will continue to get warmer and wetter with summers getting drier.

The seminar also heard how simple changes in the way we use electricity can help to preserve energy. A central theme of speakers from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Community Action for Energy project was that encouragement is available to communities to assist in developing local energy solutions. There is also a range of free and confidential business support services available from the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office which can be accessed on www.energy-efficiency.org

The evening allowed a variety of ideas to be expressed and questions to be answered. Although not the focus for the evening, the prospects for large scale proposals in the Western Isles raised much interest in the audience. These issues are likely to feature at future events, seminars and conferences in the months ahead.

Cllr. Donald M Mackay, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Alternative Energy spokesperson and representative on WIAREP, who chaired the seminar, said:"The need to reduce dependence on depleting reserves of fossil fuels has driven the development of renewable energy technologies - mainly for electricity generation. Now, the impact of changing climate, as a result of emissions of greenhouse gases has given greater impetus to the development of commercial drivers for renewable energy.
The Western Isles has significant sources of indigenous renewable energy and for many years, we have sought to find ways to develop these local resources and now the local commercial development of renewable energy offers the Western Isles the prospect of economic and environmental benefits. The Comhairle has set out a vision of the Western Isles as an Energy Innovation Zone with its partners and the creation of WIAREP is a key step in raising awareness; co-ordinating local interests; and implementing practical actions for sustainable energy in the Western Isles."

The UK government has set a target of 10% of all supplied electricity in 2010 to come from renewable sources and an interim target of 5% by 2003. The current actual figure is less than 3%. These targets are part of the broader UK commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, as set out in the Kyoto Protocol. In Scotland, existing renewable electricty output amounts to 11% of Scottish electricity consumption. The Scottish target is to increase this to 18% by 2010.

Cllr. Mackay said: "The time is right to seek to play a part in this rapidly changing energy arena. The creation of WIAREP, with an active programme of initiatives is central to devising and realising renewable and sustainable energy objectives, together with taking forward the inter-agency 'Community Planning' way of working in the Western Isles."

WIAREP has a management group made up of representatives from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Western Isles Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, Western Isles National Health Service Board, Lews Castle College (UHI Millennium Institute) and Tighean Innse Gall. Membership of WIAREP is open to any individual, business or organisation. For further information contact 01851 709248 or go to the web-site at www.cne-siar.gov.uk/wiarep or email wiarep@cne-siar.gov.uk. For more information on the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office go towww.energy-efficiency.org. The Community Action for Energy contact is Alma Maclean 01851 704300, alma@tighean.co.uk

ENDS

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk