The Leader of Orkney Islands Council, James Stockan, has welcomed the UK Government’s decision to include the Northern and Western Isles in a multi-million pounds support scheme for renewable energy.
Following a Government consultation, onshore wind projects in ‘remote islands’ can now bid for funding in the next Contracts for Difference auctions.
Under the scheme, developers compete to secure a minimum price guarantee for the electricity their projects generate.
Councillor Stockan said: “It is vital that projects in our islands can compete for support that could make a real difference in getting projects off the ground. Our Council made the strongest possible case for this.
“The Westminster and Scottish Governments recognise that wind projects in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles have the potential to provide around 3% of UK’s total energy demand.
"So I am very pleased that projects in the islands, with the potential to greatly benefit our community, will have access to the same funding opportunities as offshore wind in the next auction round.
“It is disappointing that wave and tidal projects are not included and we will continue to put the case for the funding support that will benefit the further development of the marine renewables sector.”
