‘Listen to the islands’ on renewable energy
NA H-EILEANAN an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil and MSP Alasdair Allan are urging the UK Government to ‘listen to the islands’ on renewable energy.
They have both submitted formal responses to the government’s consultation on whether island wind projects should be eligible to bid for subsidies.
Mr MacNeil met Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Greg Clark MP and Jesse Norman MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for BEIS earlier this month to give his input to the consultation.
He and Dr Allan met with community wind energy representatives before the meeting to make sure the views of all island-based groups were represented. The Scottish government has also submitted a detailed response in support of remote island wind projects.
Mr MacNeil said: ‘There is a strong view from the island energy sector that support from the UK government is crucial as the way forward.
‘This is a chance for the UK government to make a real difference to island communities while at the same time reaping the benefits for the UK economy. The islands have the best wind resource in Europe and supporting non-mainland onshore wind through the Contract for Difference scheme offers the best value for money option for the UK government.’
Dr Allan said: ‘There has been widespread support for further development of island renewables from the Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, local parliamentarians, developers and, most crucially, communities. The UK government must now listen to reason and allow the island renewable sector the support it deserves.’