Renewable energy price agreement good news for islands, says Davey
Viking Energy has welcomed the announcement by UK energy secretary Ed Davey of plans for a minimum “strike price” for renewable power produced in the Scottish islands.
Mr Davey made the announcement at the Liberal Democrat conference in Glasgow yesterday, confirming his intention for a minimum price of £115 per megawatt hour to be paid to developers in the islands – £15 more than that promised to companies on the UK mainland.
“This is good news for the future of renewables in Scotland and this unique solution will pave the way for more investment in green energy” Mr Davey said.
“Thanks to consumers across the whole of the United Kingdom, we can offer this special higher strike price, so Britain gets more green energy, so consumers’ bills in Scotland are kept affordable and so the green economy of the islands grows.
“It is now down to investors to come forward and work with us to ensure the Scottish islands share in renewable technology and UK-wide green growth.”
The higher price is considered necessary in order to counterbalance the additional costs associated with renewables projects in the islands. A consultation on the decision will last for six weeks.
Viking Energy’s head of development Aaron Priest called the announcement “a very positive step forward”.
“We now have a figure for further detailed consideration” he said, “and we look forward to the next stage in the consultation process.”
Viking Energy Shetland chairman Alan Bryce said: “We look forward to examining the details but this could be another big step towards building one of the world’s best onshore wind farms. The Shetland community stands to benefit hugely from its part-ownership of the project through Shetland Charitable Trust.”
Nobody from Sustainable Shetland has been available to comment.
Billy Fox
Yet more political hyperbole to keep the dangerously unrealistic expectations for large scale renewables simmering.
This ‘strike price’ sop to the industry at electricity consumers expense is meaningless, transmission charges will still dictate the commercial viability of any far flung project.
An interconnector cable from Shetland to the Scottish mainland will, in my opinion, never be a viable commercial proposition, we only have to look at the procrastination in connecting the relatively short distance across The Minch.
Better to stop wasting Shetland Charitable Trust (public) money, face reality and develop island renewables which are fit for scale and fit for Shetland.