The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Islands hope for windfarm money boom
Energy: Change would guarantee minimum price for electricity produced
Scottish island onshore projects may be allowed to take part in future offshore windfarm subsidy auctions. A consultation on the move – putting schemes in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland on a par with offshore developments – could benefit some of Scotland’s remotest communities from early 2019.
Scottish island onshore projects may be allowed to take part in future offshore windfarm subsidy auctions.
A consultation on the move – putting schemes in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland on a par with offshore developments – could benefit some of Scotland’s remotest communities from early 2019, an MP said yesterday.
“Island windfarms face higher costs due to their location”
The UK Government has proposed changing the definition of remote island wind energy in an attempt to encourage investment.
While having enormous potential for electricity generation, thanks to strong winds, as well as new jobs and work for local suppliers, island windfarms face higher costs due to their location and transmission requirements.
According to the government, whose consultation runs until March 8, this makes them different from other onshore projects and suitable, therefore, for its Contract for Difference (CfD) auctions. Under the CfD scheme, qualifying projects are guaranteed a minimum price at which they can sell their electricity.
Scotland Minister Lord Duncan said: “Wind projects in the remote islands of Scotland have the potential to generate substantial amounts of electricity and cut emissions, supporting economic growth and delivering lasting benefits for communities.”
Western Isles SNP MP Angus MacNeil said: “It is good that the CfD consultation is under way, it is something we have been looking at for a while. We are looking forward to this in spring 2019.”
A 2013 report for the UK and Scottish governments said wind projects on the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland could supply around 3% of the UK’s total electricity demand.