Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Renewable Energy
Sound of Harris
Background
- The Western Isles Structure Plan (December 2003) covers fifty-nine policies and six proposals. One of the proposals expressed the Comhairle’s support for undertaking feasibility studies to “investigate the potential for a fixed link across the Sound of Harris”. Such studies would include “assessments from an economic, social, cultural and environmental perspective” and consider “opportunities for renewable energy production and uses … as an integral part of any proposed link”.
- In November 2005 the Comhairle agreed to seek tenders to undertake a feasibility to investigate the potential for generating electricity from the renewable energy resources available within the Sound of Harris and, as a further outcome, to assess the feasibility of providing a transportation link across the most significant gap in the Outer Hebrides’ Spinal Route.
- In December 2005 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and HIE-Innse Gall awarded the commission to a consortium led by Jacobs Babtie following a competitive tendering exercise. The consortium consisted of the consultants Jacobs Babtie, Metoc and Tribal HCH.
- The draft report was presented at a workshop in Stornoway in June 2006. Key Comhairle officers, representatives of the HIE Innse Gall, the Convenor and the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Policy and Resources, the Sustainable Development and the Transportation Committees were invited to attend. Feedback was provided to the consultants and the final report was delivered in August 2006 and the findings reported to the Comhairle.
- The study concludes that a fixed transportation link across the Sound of Harris is technically possible and, when the potential income from renewably generated electricity is incorporated, the project could show a positive net present value after 50 years
- The findings of the study were disseminated to the communities most directly affected by the proposal at public meetings held in Lochmaddy (18 December 2006), Berneray (19 December 2006), Leverburgh (29 January 2007) and Tarbert (31 July 2007). The meetings consisted of a short presentation followed by an open discussion. A report summarising the points raised at the public meetings, and in written correspondence, was prepared in October 2007 and provided recommendations for actions and matters for discussion. The report and copies of the written correspondence are reproduced in Appendix 1.
- The Sound of Harris Project Steering Group was re-constituted in December 2007 to consider the feedback received from the community consultation exercise and determine an appropriate way forward for the Project.
Renewable Energy and Fixed Link Feasibility Study
- Report (PDF, 6Mb)
- Executive Summary (PDF, 52Kb)
- Appendices (PDF, 9Mb)
- Fact Sheet (PDF, 5Mb)
