| Allan Wilson:
Like many members,
I am grateful to Alasdair Morrison for securing today's debate. I look
forward to visiting his constituency again. I applaud his commitment to
the Western Isles and to renewable energy. He has addressed those subjects
passionately more than once.
I believe that
we are beginning to understand the reality of climate change. We can no
longer ignore the environmental costs of fuelling our 21st century lifestyle
or take our energy for granted. Increasing the use of clean, sustainable
energy is vital for the future—that is why renewable energy is about to
move into the mainstream of the energy business. Therefore, a firm, long-term
commitment to renewable energy is central to our Scottish climate change
programme.
The Executive
is rightly proud of our policies on renewables. We are committed to using
Scotland's massive potential to raise our renewable energy production to
new heights.
Bruce Crawford:
rose—
Mr McGrigor:
rose—
The Deputy Presiding
Officer: Which member would the minister like
to have ask a question?
Allan Wilson:
Bruce Crawford.
Bruce Crawford:
I thank the minister. He says that he is proud of the Executive's commitment
to renewable energy. How much money is in the Scottish Executive's budget
to deal with renewable energy? Will he confirm that the sum is zero?
Allan Wilson:
I cannot confirm or deny anything off the
top of my head, but I will get the information to Bruce Crawford.
Mr McGrigor:
I thank the minister for taking an intervention.
I know people who have been struggling with applications for wind farms
for seven to eight years. Will the Executive bring forward fast-track planning
to prevent that? That is necessary to meet the targets by 2010.
Allan Wilson:
As the member knows, we have recently renewed planning requirements for
the development of renewables. It is important that those are bedded in
and that we monitor how they proceed. I agree with the general principle
that the member mentioned. We want to ensure that we get on with the job
in hand as quickly as possible.
Alasdair Morrison
is right to champion the potential for renewable development on Lewis and
in the Western Isles. Our recent study on Scotland's renewable resource
potential identified the massive scale of that resource in Scotland and
the Western Isles.
I am delighted
to acknowledge the local interest and the involvement of the Stornoway
Trust on Lewis. The partnership approach that is backed by Alasdair Morrison
is essential. I am not simply referring to partnership between Government
departments, the renewables industry and enterprise networks, although
that is critical. If we are to achieve our objectives, we and the industry
need to engage fully with local communities and stakeholders. I give Alasdair
Morrison the assurance that he seeks in respect of the continued participation
of Executive officials in the process.
Applications
for consent to build large energy projects must be made to Scottish ministers
for their approval. Members will understand that I cannot comment on the
merits of specific developments, but we are well aware of the projects
to which Alasdair Morrison and other members referred. There has been great
interest in Wavegen's plans to install a cluster of shoreline wave energy
devices in the Western Isles and in plans for several wind energy developments
there.
The environmental
benefits of renewable energy do not necessarily lessen the environmental
impacts that they can have. Our positive position on renewables in support
of our climate change policy is balanced against a national and international
need to preserve important areas of conservation. Developments on Lewis
and elsewhere must respect such areas' legal status. I am confident that
the partnership approach, which the motion endorses, will ensure that the
correct balance is struck between competing and often conflicting interests.
The proposals
for Lewis are part of a pleasing trend in relation to the renewables obligation
Scotland. Our objective of providing 18 per cent of our power from renewables
by 2010 is challenging.
Mr Hamilton:
Will the minister give way?
Allan Wilson:
I would rather continue, if the member does not mind.
The Deputy Presiding
Officer: You have just over four minutes.
Allan Wilson:
Okay, I will take an intervention.
Mr Hamilton:
My question is about making the dream of long-term
sustainable energy a reality. Will the minister say when the study that
the Department of Trade and Industry commissioned into the cost and feasibility
of the interconnector cable will be published?
Allan Wilson:
Shortly. The signs from Scotland's proactive
energy industry suggest that we will be more than successful in meeting
the target that I mentioned. As Sarah Boyack probably knows, a recent study
confirmed that the ROS targets can be met without grid upgrades.
Some members,
including Bruce Crawford, mentioned the important issue of the economic
impact of the development of renewable energy. That development is good
not only for our environment, but for our economy. Our largest companies
are poised to invest more than £1 billion in renewable energy during
the coming decade. The world's leading manufacturer of wind turbines will
soon open a new manufacturing plant in Kintyre. The demand that our policies
are creating has attracted Vestas to provide more than 100 jobs in an area
that is desperately in need of them.
Bruce Crawford
asked whether turbines will be manufactured in Scotland. Considerable success
has been achieved in attracting Vestas to Campbeltown and we are aware
that other turbine manufacturers are interested in investing in Scotland.
Scottish Enterprise is charged with developing that interest and turning
it into something more positive.
Mrs Margaret
Ewing: Will the minister take an intervention?
Allan Wilson:
I cannot possibly answer every question on
renewable energy that is flung at me.
I want to say
something about Arnish to Alasdair Morrison, who asked if colleagues in
the enterprise and lifelong learning department are involved in discussions.
I can confirm that discussions were held only today. The Minister for Enterprise,
Transport and Lifelong Learning has made it known that regeneration at
Arnish is a high priority for the Executive, which remains active in the
Arnish development group. In that context, I acknowledge again the sterling
efforts to reopen Arnish by the Stornoway Trust and Highlands and Islands
Enterprise. In pursuit of that goal, HIE stands ready to engage with any
prospective developer on the Western Isles. The feasibility study is under
way at a cost of £35,000, which has been provided by Western Isles
Enterprise and the local authority, with the Stornoway Trust.
In conclusion,
the exciting prospects for renewable energy are important for this country.
I agree entirely with the sentiments that are expressed in Alasdair Morrison's
motion. There are significant environmental and economic benefits to be
gained from a renewables boom—not just in the Western Isles, but across
Scotland.
Partnership
is essential in everything that we do to move that objective forward. We
will maintain the dialogue and the good relations that we have established
with the industry and other Government colleagues. We will continue to
urge the full and proper involvement of local interests and communities
and to ensure that landscape and other environmental issues are not ignored
in that push.
Climate change
endangers us all. Renewable energy can and will help us to tackle the threat
to our environment and our way of life. I believe that we all accept the
truth of that and that the Executive's policy commands general and—in the
main—constructive support. By working together, we can increase Scotland's
prosperity, benefit its environment and safeguard its future.
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