Report on Scottish Islands renewables

The UK and Scottish Governments have published a report which considers the evidence base for developing renewables projects on the Scottish Islands.

The study acknowledges that there are significant potential benefits to such schemes but highlights the considerable costs that would need to be overcome.

Key conclusions are:

• Renewable generation, including onshore wind, wave and tidal, on the Scottish Islands could make a significant contribution to the UK’s 2020 renewables target.s
• The cost of deploying renewables is higher than comparable projects on the mainland, due to the expensive transmission links that would be required.

Minister will now weigh up the pros and cons compared with other sources of electricity, considering the impact on local economies and communities and, importantly, on consumers.

A response based on a full consideration of the evidence is promised shortly.