Fort William residents want mains gas
Almost 70 per cent of Lochaber residents want mains gas in the area.
Gas distribution company SGN worked with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Highland Council and Explain Market Research to engage with more than 600 people and businesses through surveys and discussion groups.
The results of the research mean a feasibility study will be carried out by summer 2019.
The timing of the study was driven by the future opening of a new manufacturing plant, Liberty British Aluminium, in Lochaber. While no final decision has been made on whether gas will come to Fort William, the research will inform any future decisions.
The study, conducted between April and July, found 68 per cent of respondents in favour of a mains gas supply. Twenty per cent said they were against the idea and 12 per cent of respondents said they were not sure.
Some residents expressed concerns about the idea, including the level of disruption during installation work and environmental concerns.
However, many respondents identified benefits of a gas supply to the area including reduced energy costs, greater value for money and improved reliability.
SGN’s head of network distribution Andrew Gibson welcomed the initial results of the research. He said: ‘We’re happy the people of Fort William are broadly in favour of bringing mains gas to the area which would introduce energy choices for residents and businesses and provide an opportunity to work with partners to address fuel poverty issues. We are also developing plans to introduce green gas such as hydrogen, BioSNG and biomethane which will help in the decarbonisation of the gas network.’
SGN and its partners will now explore options to determine the most practical way of bringing gas to Fort William.
Alastair Nicolson, HIE’s programme manager for Lochaber, added: ‘With clarity on the level of support for a gas network in Fort William, the focus now will be on how best to achieve this. It will need careful consideration and we will continue our discussions with The Highland Council and SGN to explore options.’