Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if he will introduce incentives for the UK energy market to create the conditions to enable sub-sea cables to be laid to Scotland's islands for renewables.

The Government introduced Contracts for Difference (CfDs) to provide efficient long-term support for all forms of low carbon electricity generation, including renewables. The specific strike price for onshore wind on the islands aims to bridge the funding gap identified as being a barrier to deployment. DECC intends that Scottish island onshore wind projects will be considered as a ‘non-established’ technology in group 2 for EMR allocation, subject to State Aid approval.

DECC is working through the Scottish Islands Renewable Energy Delivery Forum, involving the Islands Councils, Scottish Government, industry and other key partners, towards connecting the Scottish islands to the GB transmission grid and thereby enabling the development of renewable energy at scale.