News release
For immediate release
Ramblers Scotland President, Cameron McNeish, speaking in advance of the organisation’s annual meeting, has called for the abandonment of the Beauly - Denny power line inquiry.
McNeish said: “The current public inquiry is a pointless and expensive distraction. An official report has now concluded that sub sea cables are the best long term economic and environmental solution for transferring energy from new renewable projects in the Scottish islands to England.”
The report, produced by the Scottish Executive, councils in the islands and north of Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Natural Heritage, Communities Scotland and the Forestry Commission, says there is a need for a clear route to securing investment in sub-sea cables.
McNeish added: “The inquiry isn’t asking the right questions. We really need to be looking at the whole grid and how it delivers our electricity needs in the medium to long term. That includes consideration of where that power is coming from – undoubtedly there is likely to be greater future emphasis on marine renewables and local generation and supply.”
“Rather than waste another 11 months of everyone’s energy in answering the wrong questions we should grasp the opportunity to take a more strategic look at where we are going. We need to seriously examine whether sub sea transmission lines are our best option. The developers are now coming to the end of their evidence to the public inquiry and that provides a sensible point to draw a line under the current proceedings.”
“It’s the future of Scotland’s landscape that is at stake here. I do not believe voters in May will look kindly on politicians that appear happy to allow the piecemeal industrialisation of that landscape. I call on all those seeking election to the Scottish Parliament to support the ending of the Beauly - Denny inquiry.”
ENDS
