Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has called on the UK Government to recognise the importance of islands renewables to the UK energy market.

Speaking ahead of a meeting with UK Energy Secretary Greg Clark later today, 10 April, Mr Wheelhouse said major projects on the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland would be worth up to £725 million to local economies.

A recent consultation by the UK Government back-tracked on support for wind projects in these areas. However, the Scottish Government said developing these schemes would trigger £2.5 billion of initial investment.

In addition, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles between them have the potential to generate up to 5% of the UK's total electricity demand via renewable energy from wind and marine resources.

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Mr Wheelhouse said: "Our position on island wind is both consistent and very clear – we must do all we can to enable our island communities to benefit from this substantial resource, large enough to meet 5% of total UK electricity demand, provide significant boost to decarbonising our electricity supply, and would be worth up to £725 million to local economies.

"The planned projects on the Western and Shetland Isles would face extremely high locational transmission charges to provide electricity to the mainland. That is why an appropriate support mechanism is so important to help unlock very significant capital investment from the private sector and community-owned developers as well as, in turn, underpinning the investment case to National Grid for vital islands grid connections. Bringing this positive scenario about, as quickly as possible, will be at the heart of my discussions with Mr Clark.

"Responses to the UK Government's consultation show the case for supporting island wind projects is stronger than ever - our own submission was robust and credible. The projects under discussion would deliver tangible economic benefits to the communities involved while helping to ensure resilience in GB market electricity supplies."

Mr Wheelhouse will meet with Mr Clark later today to co-chair the fifth meeting of the Scottish Islands Renewables Delivery Forum in Stornoway.

(LM)