Renewable energy policy
Jim Mather is due to visit next week to discuss the results of the new approach to renewable energy that he requested following the 'conference' held in March.
Let me summarise the probable outcome of his coming visit:
Council: There are vast areas of the island that can be used for renewable energy. Do you support development in these areas?
RSPB/SNH: Of course, but all subject to bird survey and environmental impact assessments.
Developers: And subject to the sites being economically viable, so we are only interested in a small section of the possible sites, as previously advised to everyone.
Ofgem: And then you need to speak to us about a connection to the grid before anything can actually happen.
Communities: Why can't we get the detail we need before we can decide if we support or oppose the proposals.
MP/MSP:
Minister: Job done. Get on with bringing proposals forward in the normal manner.
All: WTF has been achieved?
Let me summarise the probable outcome of his coming visit:
Council: There are vast areas of the island that can be used for renewable energy. Do you support development in these areas?
RSPB/SNH: Of course, but all subject to bird survey and environmental impact assessments.
Developers: And subject to the sites being economically viable, so we are only interested in a small section of the possible sites, as previously advised to everyone.
Ofgem: And then you need to speak to us about a connection to the grid before anything can actually happen.
Communities: Why can't we get the detail we need before we can decide if we support or oppose the proposals.
MP/MSP:
Minister: Job done. Get on with bringing proposals forward in the normal manner.
All: WTF has been achieved?
6 comments:
And the gravy train moves on.
Consultants milking the system, blood pressure rising in the rural areas, and the usual faces filling their pockets.
I had heard Jim Mather is to announce the Eisgein PLI decision. Will he?
Logic also suggests he cannot back Arnish, as Vestas at Campbelltown in his patch has hit the wall. Is this the end of the Arnish dream?
I think that Vesta closing will actually strengthen the position for Arnish as available manufacturing capacity has been reduced.
Unless the Minister finds someone to take on the Vestas factory....
Eishken PLI decision - I hope so, so that the matter can move on.
It would be helpful to all if various bodies were more honest and specific. For example, say:
- Renewables when you truly mean various renewables e.g. photovoltaic, wave, tide, geothermal.
- Wind when you mean wind.
Rather than "Renewables" when you really just mean "Big wind farm".
Can't you see the Vestas move is to force early approval (by Mather) of large windfarms so they can stay with a full order book and Mather will look good keeping jobs in his area.
I hear vesta did not bother to turn up for HIE, Argyle Council "urgent talks" for less give appologies.
The HIE Chief Ex woes just doubled.
2 investments in similar facilities both over £10M tax payers cash.
Staff at Arnish have been offered jobs in Holland from a 'partner' company one of the lads told me a couple of weeks ago. They were told it would be done as 'training' in a working facility so as to ease the issue past HIE. Would make a change from painting skips which I know the bhoys find demoralising.
As you say Angus quick decisions are what is needed. That applies to the swinging noose over Arnish as well as the wind proposals themselves.
If you were Jim and you could choose one faility to save would it be
A: the one in your constituency
B: the one not in your constituency.
Its a no brainer.
Bye, Bye Arnish and await the tears from the White House whingers.
Would it be suprising if, during these economically pressed times, Vestas decided to concentrate on employing their own at home rather than foreigners at an outpost.
It is as easy to load towers and turbines onto ships on the continent as it is in NW Scotland, as we see windfarms being regularly delivered from Europe, accompanied by expert construction crews - not from Arnish or, as it now seems, Campbelltown and not by Scottish or even British workers.
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