Minister for Energy Fergus Ewing responded to Ofgem’s review of transmission charging.
He said: “We have Europe’s best renewable energy resources, yet the unfair system of locational charging continues to result in Scotland facing the highest charges in the UK, while subsidies are paid to generators elsewhere.
“We welcome Ofgem’s recognition that the current system needs reformed and the moves to reduce some of the charges faced by renewables generators. This must happen, and quickly. But we share the industry’s huge disappointment that Ofgem has delivered no solution to Scotland’s islands, where there is huge potential to generate clean, green energy that can contribute to Scottish, UK and European targets.
“It is disappointing that the regulator has left little scope for the islands to get fair treatment through the industry stage of Project Transmit and we will continue to work to get the best deal possible for them. The Scottish Government, together with utilities and developers across the industry, have led the argument for change from the outset and will now press UK Ministers urgently to find solutions to unlock the vast natural resources of our islands.”
[mappress]
Offshore WIND staff, May 07, 2012; Image: scotland