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Western Isles loses out on large offshore wind farm 17/4/09
The Western Isles has lost out on developing a large offshore wind farm it has emerged.
It has come to light that an area of the Minch off the eastern seaboard of Lewis and Harris was earmarked as a potential site to construct a giant wind scheme.
The sizeable tract of seabed was originally identified as having potentially excellent marine energy development potential.
If it had been ultimately successful for construction it would have required a giant submarine cable to export the electricity to the mainland. However, the large site was never been allocated to any developer.
In February, the Crown Estate allocated ten exclusive sea sites, excluding a prime resource off the Western Isles, in Scottish waters to energy developers.
Now the islands are expected to have to wait until the next round of seabed allocations are made in about 2012.
The potential Hebridean site is relatively close to power developments being progressed by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) which clinched three sea sites for offshore wind from the crown estate.
SSE want to build 26 huge turbines in a 94 MW scheme across moorland in South Lochs, Lewis.
Its proposed construction of twin sub-
Through its Airtricity subsidiary, the conglomerate secured four sea sites off Tayside, around Kintyre, at Islay and off Wick.
SSE cited "commercial confidentially" when asked if it had any interest in offshore wind near its proposed Lewis schemes.
A spokesperson for the Crown Estate said that "environmental factors and fishing concerns" caused the Lewis offshore area to be dumped.
However, it is understood that island fishermen were not against any scheme though they are keen to protect valuable fishing grounds.
She added that any future chance of building a wind farm at sea off the Hebrides
may be affected by the outcome of the Scottish Government-
Launched in January the study will look at the building of offshore wind schemes within Scottish territorial waters.
Angus Campbell, leader of Western Isles council said he was due to meet with the Crown Estate over the issue of the future siting of renewable energy schemes in Hebridean waters.
He said: "The council was very disappointed we weren't in the February round.”
He added: “We intend to meet with the Crown Estate over that and to discuss community benefit for offshore wind developments."