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Beauly-Denny - key to securing clean green electricity supply

Renewable energy industry calls for quick decision to unleash green electricity potential of the Highlands and Islands

Monday 5 February 2007

Scottish Renewables, the green energy trade body, on the eve of the public inquiry into proposals for the Beauly to Denny replacement line, called for a timely approval to a project crucial to delivering Scotland’s green energy potential.

On Tuesday, the public inquiry into the proposal by Scottish & Southern Energy and ScottishPower to replace and upgrade the existing transmission line between Beauly, near Inverness and Denny, near Falkirk, will commence.

Scottish Renewables has consistently made the case that failure to give a timely approval to the proposal, which is the largest single civil engineering project since Scotland’s large hydro stations were built, will a major setback for the growth of Scotland’s renewable electricity industry.

It will also threaten the successful delivery of Scottish Executive targets on the generation of renewable electricity and cuts in climate changing gases.

Dr Richard Yemm, Chairman of Scottish Renewables and Managing Director of Edinburgh based wave power firm Ocean Power Delivery, said:

“The Beauly to Denny replacement transmission line is a test of Scotland’s commitment to renewables. If there is a refusal or unnecessary delay to the decision there will be a strong signal to anyone wanting to invest in renewable electricity projects, or fledgling technologies like ours, that Scotland is not fully behind renewables and that it is a risky place to do business.

“As a developer of the Pelamis wave energy converter we urgently need the Beauly Denny transmission line to be replaced quickly if we are to capitalise on Scotland’s current lead in this emerging sector, and build a world class marine power manufacturing industry in Scotland, employing thousands of people.”

Jason Ormiston, Acting Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, commented on the benefits of replacing the Beauly to Denny transmission line.

He said: “The Beauly-Denny transmission line replacement programme is essential for two reasons: to secure our future electricity supply and to help tackle climate change. Renewable electricity is the only genuine reliable source of clean green power and we need upgraded electricity networks that can get the electricity from where it is generated best, to where it is needed most.

He added: “Consider the benefits the replacement line will bring. Aside from attracting construction contracts in excess of £1 billion to the region, connecting 1000MW or more of renewable electricity projects will pump more than £175 million into Scotland’s Highland and Island rural economy through land rentals and community payments over a 25-year period.

“As important will be the environmental benefits. The wind farms, and other projects, that will connect to the Beauly to Denny replacement transmission line will displace more than 600,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year, that’s almost a quarter of the Scottish Executive’s total targeted emission cuts for 2010.

“Last, but by no means least, the operating projects will produce enough electricity to meet the equivalent annual demand of half a million homes in Scotland.”

In December 2005, Scottish Renewables commissioned GfK NOP to look into the attitudes of the Scottish public towards the electricity grid. The research found:

  • 76% agreed that “it is important that the national grid accommodates new renewable schemes to generate electricity so that old conventional plants like coal fired power stations can be replaced”
  • 68% agreed that “the managers of the grid should update the existing system first before they start erecting new lines of electricity pylons”

Speaking on behalf of the UK wind, wave and tidal energy sector, BWEA Chief Executive Maria McCaffery commented that

“Beauly-Denny is a vital first step in securing the UK-wide benefits of renewables and the many business opportunities associated with clean electricity supplies.

However, continued investment will be needed in electricity networks across the whole of the UK if this country is to truly commit to harnessing the power of our abundant natural resources.”

Notes to Editors:

1.       Scottish Renewables is Scotland’s leading renewables organisation. It represents companies working in wind, wave, tidal, solar, hydro and biomass, and aims to create a renewables future for Scotland for the benefit of Scotland’s environment and economy. For more information on Scottish Renewables go to www.scottishrenewables.com

2.       Scottish Renewables research on public attitudes to wind farms, renewable energy and the electricity supply system is available in the following briefing: http://www.scottishrenewables.com/data/reports/051206%20-%20Renewables%20Research.pdf

3.       Scottish Renewables Briefing on electricity grid and transmission issues for the Highland & Islands of Scotland is available at: http://www.scottishrenewables.com/data/reports/051207_ETHICS_grid_briefing.pdf

4.       Information on the Public Inquiry for the proposed Beauly-Denny 400Kv Overhead Transmission Line replacement programme will be available on a dedicated website by the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit – further information from SEIRU on 01324 696400.

5.       Information from Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd, proposer’s of the replacement programme is available here: http://www.scottish-southern.co.uk/SSEInternet/index.aspx?rightColHeader=36&id=464

6.       The Scottish Executive has targets for renewable electricity projects to deliver 18% of Scotland’s electricity needs by 2010 and 40% by 2020. Its Climate Change Programme has targeted cuts in carbon emissions of 2.8 milion tonnes of carbon by 2010, based on 1990 levels. More information available here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/03/30091039/6

7.       Scottish Environment Week is taking place from 5-11 February 2007, more details are available here: http://www.scotlink.org/LINK_action/environment_week.php

8.       The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report is available here: http://www.ipcc.ch/  from 2 February 2007.

9.       BWEA is the UK’s leading renewable energy association. Established in 1978, BWEA now has over 330 companies in membership active in the UK wind, wave and tidal stream industries. BWEA is at the forefront of the development of these sectors, protecting members’ interests and promoting their industries to Government, business and the media. Wind energy has now started a major expansion in the UK and will be the single greatest contributor to the Government’s 10% 2010 renewable energy target and 20% 2020 renewable aspiration. Together, wind, wave and tidal power can supply 21% of our electricity by 2020, resulting in over £16bn of investment in UK plc. See www.bwea.com/energyreview