News / Interconnector delay
PLANS to connect Shetland to the national electricity network have been delayed until 2018 at the earliest, according the Scottish and Southern Energy.
The planned 457 megawatt Viking Energy wind farm as well as other renewable energy projects in the isles are all depending on the completion of the so-called interconnector.
In an open letter, written by David Gardner, director of transmission at the S&S subsidiary Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission, said the company had been making process in strengthening the transmission network, but more time was needed to allow upgrading and building more capacity.
Mr Gardner wrote: “Island links to Orkney and Shetland are also now currently scheduled for completion, (…), in 2018.
“Both projects have experienced challenges in securing planning consents and land acquisition, and will be subject to delivery constraints in the global supply chain for subsea cables.”
Liberal Democrat energy spokesman and Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said the delay was a body blow to the renewables industry.
“I have spoken to the Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing and agreed that urgent action is necessary.
“We need to fully understand SSE’s reasons for this further delay and look at what steps can be taken to ensure confidence, investment and momentum in the renewables sector is maintained over the coming years”.
In November, the company had been updating MSPs at Holyrood saying that they were reviewing the planned interconnector in view of rising costs.
The full letter can be found here.
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