Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
PRESS RELEASE
26 June 2001
For Use: Immediately
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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 26 June 2001 For Use: Immediately | |
Agencies in the Western Isles have taken another step forward in developing a joint approach for developing renewable and alternative energy in the islands with the formation of the Western Isles Alternative Renewable Energy Partnership (WIAREP).
A Steering group, made up of representatives from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the University of the Highlands and Islands, SNH, Western Isles Enterprise, Royal Bank of Scotland, NOSWA, TRANSCO, the Stornoway Trust and other interested parties.
Donald M Mackay chaired the first WIAREP meeting. He said:
“The Western Isles has tremendous potential in renewable and alternative energy terms and I am pleased that we are taking this whole issue forward on a multi-agency basis. The formation of this group is an important step in developing renewables and alternative energy in the Western Isles and we are hopeful that we can bring forward some early initiatives.
The development of WIAREP complements the Energy Innovation Zone proposals which the Comhairle is pursuing at a political level and by working together on both these initiatives we hope to take the Western Isles to the fore of developing, using and researching renewable and alternative energy.”
One of the first developments will hopefully be the appointment of a project officer to assist companies and communities to develop alternative and renewable energy proposals.”
The first meeting of the group was held at the beginning of the week and as well as the appointment of a project officer, the group is keen to develop reasearch links with Universities to take forward a number of other initiatives discussed at the meeting.
As a first step, a representative from The Scottish Executive Energy Division
is to be invited to the Western Isles to discuss alternative energy options
in the area of transport.
Ends
Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk