Renewable energy in the Scottish islands would receive huge boost with better connections to the national grid.
Governments on both sides of the border will look at boosting renewable energy production on Scottish islands today.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey and Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing will jointly chair the Scottish Islands Renewables Delivery Forum in Edinburgh.
The aim of the forum is to pursue practical actions to connect the northern and Western isles to the mainland transmission grid in order to unlock their potential to generate green energy and create jobs.
Mr Ewing said: “The Scottish Government continues to drive progress in tackling the barriers to island generation through the Scottish Island Renewables Delivery Forum. In doing so it could unlock the islands potential and supply 5% of GB electricity as well as create 40,000 jobs.
“Although policy responsibility for the GB electricity market is reserved to Westminster we have made connecting the islands to the mainland grid a top priority and are using all the powers and influence they have to deliver progress.
“The UK needs more of Scotland’s low carbon electricity to help keep the lights on and islands onshore wind is a cost effective option for consumers.”
Efforts to connect islands to grid to be discussed in Edinburgh
