Innovation needed to power ahead

MORE should be done to increase renewable energy in the Outer Hebrides, according to Western Isles council.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has set up a steering group with Scottish Hydro Electric power distribution to find new ways to accommodate hydro schemes in the islands.

The group met for the first time last week to find ways to loosen the current network restrictions to increase energy generation.

Calum Iain MacIver, chairman of the steering group and the comhairle’s director of development, said: ‘There is huge potential for renewable energy in the Outer Hebrides.

‘The richness of the resource has seen many communities and individuals investing in renewable energy generation. That investment has taken the local grid to its absolute physical capacity.

‘Major transmission reinforcement, in due course, will alleviate the situation, but in the meantime it is essential innovative ways are found to release additional capacity to facilitate further community projects.’