Islands demand £725m national grid connection

ISLAND leaders have called on the UK government to connect remote renewable energy projects to the national grid to gain up to £725 million of economic benefits and create 2,000 jobs.

Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing and the leaders of Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland councils have written to UK energy secretary Amber Rudd seeking European Union (EU) permissions to connect to the grid.

Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing. Picture: John Devlinplaceholder image
Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing. Picture: John Devlin
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A snapshot of life on five of Scotland’s remotest islands

It follows a report by energy consultants Baringa which found island economies could benefit from up to £725m from renewables projects.

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