Council welcomes case for grid investment

Orkney Islands Council has welcomed news that energy supplier Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has formally submitted a ‘Needs Case’ to energy regulator Ofgem for a new transmission link for Orkney.

Leader of Orkney Islands Council, James Stockan, said: “We’re delighted that SSEN has committed to putting forward this formal needs case.

“As a Council we’ve been lobbying on this issue for ten years, to raise awareness of Orkney’s vast potential and capability as an exporter of renewable energy, and the infrastructure reinforcements needed to realise that potential. The benefits such investment would bring include greater employment opportunities in the county and greener energy supplies for the rest of the UK and greater security of supply for our own electricity needs as a county.

“We’ve worked closely with the UK Government and our local MP to build a case, and it was heartening to see the Conservative party giving a manifesto commitment to addressing the issue during the last UK elections - which now takes a key step forward towards delivery at this early point in the term of Government.

“SSEN’s needs case is another step in the fight for investment in a transmission grid for Orkney, and in building confidence in marine and onshore wind energy projects already based in the county.

“We now look forward to ofgem's considerations and response.

“Our challenge in Orkney is to secure the very best community benefit we can in the long term.”

For more information about the needs case submitted to Ofgem, read the press release published by SSEN.