Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has welcomed moves announced today to extend the deadline on adjusting transmission charges for the Scottish Islands. The proposal was made by Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks during a second reading in the House of Commons of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Private Members’ Bill. The proposal is to extend the deadline to 2024, an addition of ten years when no additonal burden will be put on transmitting electricity from Island areas.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Vice-Convener, Cllr Angus Campbell, said:
“This is very good news for the islands and particularly for the Western Isles where we have two large windfarm applications awaiting decisions for the go ahead from the Scottish Executive.
The Comhairle and the other island areas have lobbied intensively on this issue and it is to be welcomed that the government has listened carefully to the case we have made.”
“This is a massive boost to the development of the renewables sector in the Western Isles. I particularly welcome the Minister’s recognition of the immense resources of wind, wave and tidal power in Island areas. This paves the way for an acceleration of the renewables industry in the Western Isles and other island areas.”

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk