BETTA
RESPONSE TO CONSULTATIONS: ELECTRICITY, GENERATION,
DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY LICENCES UNDER BETTA AND ZONAL
TRANSMISSION LOSSES IN ELECTRICITY ON A GB BASIS – March 2003
1.
The Comhairle welcomes the DTI consultation and welcomes the move to a
GB wide market.
2.
The Comhairle would wish the DTI and Ofgem to ensure that the
impact of the proposed changes with regard to BETTA do not
create barriers to the development of renewables in remote
peripheral and offshore areas of the UK. The Comhairle urge
continued change that will accelerate the development of
renewables in the north and west of Scotland.
This is of
paramount importance to the Western Isles.
3.
Renewable Energy is now at the heart of our islands economic development
strategies, the ‘Creating Communities of the Future’ strategy and our ‘Energy
Innovation Zone’ proposals. Innovation is the main theme of the ‘Energy
Innovation Zone’. The Comhairle would welcome the introduction of innovative
financial incentives which would encourage renewable development in the
Western Isles.
4.
Government must facilitate the development of transmission infrastructure to
the North and West of Scotland where the significant wind energy resource
exists. The Comhairle welcomes Government research and ongoing work in
that field and would urge continued Government support for new infrastructure.
The importance of sub sea cable connections from the Western Isles to
mainland infrastructure nodes is crucial. More generally, Government must
facilitate investment in cabling and other transmission infrastructure
requirements of the renewables industry.
5.
The Western Isles should have a significant role to play in contributing to
Scottish and UK onshore and offshore wind energy supply via the abundant
wind energy resources available and a number of locations with suitable water
depths (as detailed in the recent reports: Scotland’s Renewable Resource –
report to the Scottish Executive).
6.
The Western Isles are ideally placed, in terms of renewable resources and
proposed projects, to benefit significantly from downstream impacts of
renewable energy related developments such as manufacturing employment,
construction and maintenance contracts, and other supply chain multiplier
effects. Such downstream impacts will assist in the regeneration of our islands
and play a vital component in the renewables sector in the Highlands and
Islands and within Scotland as a whole. The Comhairle would welcome
continued support form the DTI to secure these downstream impacts which
would revitalise a fragile economic base.
7.
Every opportunity should be taken by Government to promote the manufacture
of wind energy machinery and products in the Western Isles, at the Arnish
Point fabrication facility, adjacent to Stornoway. The developing wind sector
will require additional manufacturing locations for both turbines, piles, towers
and other offshore structures. The rejuvenation of the Arnish yard heralds a
new beginning for the Western Isles economy and the Comhairle welcomes
the DTIs commitment to the site and recent announcements concerning it’s
future.