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BWEA Press Release

Tuesday 8th March 2005

Grid unlocked in Scotland?

Transmission charging to be capped

BWEA, the UK's leading renewable energy association championing the wind and marine renewable industry, welcomed today's announcement by Energy Minister Mike O'Brien on ensuring that renewables generators in the far north of Scotland won't pay disproportionately to use the grid to transport their electricity to customers.

Today's decision by the DTI to cap transmission charges payable by electricity generators in the Western and Northern Isles of Scotland will release hundreds of megawatts of renewables from not only the power of the wind but also the waves.

The decision to consult on extending the possibility of grid capping to renewable generators in the north of mainland Scotland is also a welcome one for the sector, and one which could well position Scotland at the forefront of the renewables revolution, a reflection of its vast natural resources.

BWEA's Head of Grid and Technical Affairs Richard Ford, commented:

"This announcement is a shot in the arm for the renewables sector in Scotland. Wind is critical to meeting our 2010 renewable target and Scotland is at the heart of our push to rapidly expand the delivery of new wind energy projects as it has the best resource in the UK. Ensuring that new renewable projects are not penalised by excessively high transmission charges is fundamental to maintaining progress in Scotland and to delivering a strong renewable market into the future."

For further comment contact:
Richard Ford
Head of Grid and Technical Affairs
BWEA
t 020 7689 1992 / m 07973 313 266 / e richard@bwea.com

Notes:

  • Generators of renewable electricity in Scotland are facing high charges, set by the National Grid Company, for the use of the electricity transmission network that gives them access to British markets. The transmission network, the wires that enable electricity to move long distances the length and breadth of Britain, is also known as the National Grid, and is managed, with local partners in Scotland (District Network Operators: ScottishPower and Scottish & Southern Energy), by the company of the same name.
  • The Energy Minister Mike O'Brien announced in Glasgow today that limits will be set on charges for generators in the Islands and that they will consider the same for Northern Scotland after a full consultation.
  • BWEA is the professional association championing the UK wind and marine renewables industry, representing 320 companies active in the sector.