Demand study for gas network

A study is under way in Fort William to find out if there is demand for a gas network in the area.

SGN is working in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Highland Council on behalf of the Scottish Government to conduct the study.

SGN has commissioned independent market research agency Explain Market Research to find out what people want. The timing of the study is being driven by the opening of a new manufacturing plant in the area.

Liberty British Aluminum owns and operates the only remaining aluminum smelter in the UK based in Fort William. Liberty is planning to build a factory adjacent to the smelter to make alloy wheels. Planning permission for the factory was granted at the end of January, subject to a number of conditions being fulfilled.

The scale of this development presents an opportunity to review demand for providing mains gas to businesses and households in the area. The study is exploratory, no decisions have been made as to whether a gas network will come to Fort William or not – its purpose is to find out what people think to inform any future decisions. There will be a number of ways to have a say on the subject: complete the online survey at https:// bit.ly/2IH9L1j; join the Fort William online community at https://bit.ly/2ITo3iP; contact Darren Wake at Explain on 0191 261 5261 or info@ explainresearch.co.uk

Also look out for Explain market researchers in the area and make sure you have your say.