Momentum to create an interconnector for the Western Isles continues to grow, the Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has said.

The comments follow the Energy summit meeting held in Stornoway earlier this week.

The Summit, organised by the Scottish Government, brought together parties including the Department of Economy and Climate Change, electricity regulator OFGEM, National Grid, Renewable Developers, the Crown Estate, the Green Investment Bank and SHE-Transmission.

Commenting on the potential project, Comhairle Leader Angus Campbell, explained: "This is a an extremely complex process but I think that there is now more clarity amongst the interested parties in the stages that we still have to go through to get the interconnector in place, though it is clearly taking longer than anyone anticipated.

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"We impressed upon SHE-Transmission the need to submit the needs case to OFGEM so that they can approve the go ahead for the interconnector. I would have liked to see a clearer commitment from SHE-Transmission as to when that will happen and then we need OFGEM to consider the needs case prudently but with minimum delay.

"However, everyone is now clear that the next move is up to SHE-Transmission and is agreed that this should happen as early as possible to facilitate the infrastructure that will be required to export renewable energy generated in the Islands and realise the potential that will bring to the economy of the islands."

(JP)