Lib Dem PPC calls for secure power and a zero carbon economy for the Western Isles

1.03.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Sep 2009

Jean Davis, local Lib Dem PPC spoke of her vision for the renewables future for the Western Isles. “A number of renewable projects in receipt of planning consent. However as reported again in this week’s Eorpa the interconnector is still outstanding. More importantly for constituents is the fact that in the Western Isles we now have enough projects to provide power locally to the majority of island homes but we will not benefit. The local infrastructure will not allow secure connection to local properties (or to the interconnector for that matter).”

“We had the opportunity to bid for finance to upgrade the local grid and did not take it. This decision should be urgently reviewed.”

“An opportunity to achieve secure local renewable power for all island homes may have been missed (Unlike Lib Dem Orkney) and if so those responsible should be called to account.”

“As a Liberal Democrat I am committed to action to reduce global warming. I am also committed to the well being of the community in which I live. A zero carbon local economy in the Western Isles powered by local mixed renewable projects would put the Western Isles at the forefront of sustainable solutions.”

“We should be visionary. The third largest island in the UK (Harris and Lewis), self sufficient for power supporting other local island areas such as Uist, which is at particular risk to rising sea levels, should be our aim. It has been achieved in Samso Denmark as recently highlighted at the Sustainable Islands – Towards a Low Carbon Economy conference”

“Large wind farms here will not make for a sustainable future for the people of the Western Isles. We have a mixed and fragile economy of service industries, small and medium enterprises and tourism which we should support and strengthen”.

“Will achieving the vision be easy? No. Will it be impossible? No, not if we believe in ourselves! It will be the best chance of sustaining life and community in these islands for generations to come.”

“Whatever the decision on the interconnector and whatever your views on industrial wind farms, local secure power, not dependant on imports, is necessary to heat and light our homes and businesses.”

“So do we want the status quo, or forests of turbines supplying the rest of the world while we sit at home in candlelight; or a secure energy supply supporting a strong local economy where people want to live, study and visit? I know which I would choose.”