Energy Secretary Ed Davey said yesterday that he would launch a steering group to investigate why renewable-energy projects in Scotland’s western and northern isles were being held up.
Mr Davey said the group would analyse the commercial viability of wave, wind and tidal developments and speed up progress where possible.
Speaking at the Low Carbon Investment Conference in Edinburgh, Mr Davey said: “The Scottish islands are blessed with tremendous tidal, wind and wave renewable resources and we should look to fully utilise this huge potential where we can. I recognise there are concerns about the speed of progress of renewable projects on the islands.
“That is why I am . . . commissioning, in conjunction with the Scottish Government, a new steering group that will inform a new independent study on Scottish island renewable generation.”
Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (Areg) was also represented at the conference, sharing its knowledge of different methods of investing in renewable technology. Areg’s Iain Todd said: “It is, therefore, important that we work collectively across Scotland to ensure we harness our energy credentials.”
