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Renewable energy industry calls for quick decision to unleash green electricity potential of the Highlands and Islands
Scottish Renewables, the green energy trade body, on the eve of the public inquiry into proposals for the Beauly to Denny replacement line, called for a timely approval to a project crucial to delivering Scotland’s green energy potential.
On Tuesday, the public inquiry into the proposal by Scottish & Southern Energy and ScottishPower to replace and upgrade the existing transmission line between Beauly, near Inverness and Denny, near Falkirk, will commence.
Scottish Renewables has consistently made the case that failure to give a timely approval to the proposal, which is the largest single civil engineering project since Scotland’s large hydro stations were built, will a major setback for the growth of Scotland’s renewable electricity industry.
It will also threaten the successful delivery of Scottish Executive targets on the generation of renewable electricity and cuts in climate changing gases.
Dr Richard Yemm, Chairman of Scottish Renewables and Managing Director of Edinburgh based wave power firm Ocean Power Delivery, said: “The Beauly to Denny replacement transmission line is a test of Scotland’s commitment to renewables. If there is a refusal or unnecessary delay to the decision there will be a strong signal to anyone wanting to invest in renewable electricity projects, or fledgling technologies like ours, that Scotland is not fully behind renewables and that it is a risky place to do business.
“As a developer of the Pelamis wave energy converter we urgently need the Beauly Denny transmission line to be replaced quickly if we are to capitalise on Scotland’s current lead in this emerging sector, and build a world class marine power manufacturing industry in Scotland, employing thousands of people.”
Jason Ormiston, Acting Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, commented on the benefits of replacing the Beauly to Denny transmission line.
He said: “The Beauly-Denny transmission line replacement programme is essential for two reasons: to secure our future electricity supply and to help tackle climate change. Renewable electricity is the only genuine reliable source of clean green power and we need upgraded electricity networks that can get the electricity from where it is generated best, to where it is needed most.
He added: “Consider the benefits the replacement line will bring. Aside from attracting construction contracts in excess of £1 billion to the region, connecting 1000MW or more of renewable electricity projects will pump more than £175 million into Scotland’s Highland and Island rural economy through land rentals and community payments over a 25-year period.
“As important will be the environmental benefits. The wind farms, and other projects, that will connect to the Beauly to Denny replacement transmission line will displace more than 600,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year, that’s almost a quarter of the Scottish Executive’s total targeted emission cuts for 2010.
“Last, but by no means least, the operating projects will produce enough electricity to meet the equivalent annual demand of half a million homes in Scotland.”
In December 2005, Scottish Renewables commissioned GfK NOP to look into the attitudes of the Scottish public towards the electricity grid. The research found:
• 76% agreed that “it is important that the national grid accommodates new renewable schemes to generate electricity so that old conventional plants like coal fired power stations can be replaced”
• 68% agreed that “the managers of the grid should update the existing system first before they start erecting new lines of electricity pylons”
Speaking on behalf of the UK wind, wave and tidal energy sector, BWEA Chief Executive Maria McCaffery commented that
“Beauly-Denny is a vital first step in securing the UK-wide benefits of renewables and the many business opportunities associated with clean electricity supplies.
However, continued investment will be needed in electricity networks across the whole of the UK if this country is to truly commit to harnessing the power of our abundant natural resources.”
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