UK mulls Scottish island wind

The UK parliament will today debate the future of renewables in the Scottish Islands.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar chairman of the sustainable development committee Donald Crichton welcomed the debate, which was secured by Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael.

Crichton also welcomed a question tabled by Labour MP Ian Murray calling on BEIS Secretary of State Greg Clark to make a statement on the Conservative party’s manifesto commitment to remote island wind.

“It will be essential that the Conservative party manifesto commitment now translates into policy action and that the government rapidly announces that the Scottish Islands can participate in the next Contracts for Difference auction allocation round,” said Crichton.

He also called for cross-party support during the debate on the issue.

“I believe there is a cross-party consensus in Scotland around that issue and I hope, as an outcome of the debate, that all parties come together to persuade the Secretary of State to come to an early and positive policy decision in regard to island participation in the next auction allocation round.”

The Conservative Party manifesto said the Tories would “support the development of wind projects in the remote islands of Scotland, where they will directly benefit local communities”.

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