Representatives from Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Renewable Energy Forum met with senior officials from the National Grid on Friday to discuss energy developments in Orkney.

Following the meeting Chair of the Council's Development Committee Councillor Ian Johnstone said: "We wanted to highlight issues about the medium and longer term energy connection and capacity needs in Orkney, in light of the renewable energy potential in the county.

"We had a very useful discussion with National Grid about the benefits that can be obtained nationally and locally by putting in place additional affordable grid connections between Orkney and the mainland."

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Mr Johnstone believes it has been one of the "most encouraging" meetings that they have had on the subject. All involved in the discussions felt that early and real progress is now a reality rather than a future hope.

He added: "A range of issues were covered in the meeting, but we need to explore the next steps further. This includes the possibility of developing Orkney as a pilot area to test out energy transmission, storage and distribution issues, and the establishment of an Orkney stakeholder group to progress the idea. It's important that we have early insight of the investment needed in the national grid as we take renewables in Orkney forward."

Alison Kay, National Grid's Commercial Director, said: "Orkney's potential for renewable energy is huge. National Grid is committed to do what we can to help ensure this great natural resource can be harvested. With the efforts we are leading in the energy industry and most crucially, current moves to reform the planning system, we can sweep away many of the barriers to the growth of renewables."

(GK/JM)