October 9, 2012
Scotland

Secretary Ed Davey confirms backing for Shetland wind farm scheme

By Neil Drysdale | STV News | 9 October 2012 | news.stv.tv

Ed Davey, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, has expressed his commitment to a large-scale wind farm project on Shetland, during a visit to the Northern Isles.

Davey declared that he was determined to do everything he could to help make the project, which has come under fire from critics, a reality in the future.

Viscount Energy has already gained approval to build 103 turbines to the north of Lerwick.

But the company have admitted they are concerned that the island’s ambitions are being thwarted by the high cost of connecting to the [national] grid.

Davey maintained that the Government was excited about the potential for renewable technology in the Northern Isles and construction on the venture could commence in 2014.

However, a bid by campaigners for a judicial review of the Westminster administration’s decision to approve the turbines will be heard at the Court of Session in January.

Ultimately, few observers doubt the significant impact which renewable energy sources could have in places such as Shetland, which have an abundance of natural power.

None the less, high grid charges, allied to the timescale for constructing a deep-sea connector cable to take the power to the mainland, remain significant obstacles to be negotiated.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/09/secretary-ed-davey-confirms-backing-for-shetland-wind-farm-scheme/