The Civil Engineering Contractors Association has urged BEIS to back Scottish remote island onshore wind to secure long-term economic growth and help meet carbon targets.
In its response to the BEIS consultation on its treatment of non-mainland onshore wind projects that closes on Tuesday, CECA said the projects would lead to £1.3bn investment in the remote isles.
Projects such as SSE’s 103-turbine Viking would benefit Scotland’s economies by up to £725m over the next 25 years, it added.
CECA head of external affairs Marie-Claude Hemming said: “The remote islands are a fantastic wind resource and are ideally placed to generate a reliable source of renewable electricity.
“We understand that support for development of wind farms is high within local communities given the economic benefits that they will bring.”
CECA Scotland chief executive Alan Watt added: “In our view, the development of non-mainland onshore wind, will not only play a key role in growing the economy in these uncertain times, but will also help build and maintain thriving communities as a direct result.”
Image: sxc
