Renewable energy in Orkney examined

14 March 2016

The Scottish Affairs Committee holds a public evidence session in Stromness, Orkney as part of their inquiry into the renewable energy sector in Scotland.

Witnesses

Monday 14 March 2016, Room LL1, Herriot Watt University, The Old Academy, Back Road, Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, KW16 3AW

At 1pm

Councillor Stephen Hagan, Spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability, Orkney Islands Council
Lorna Richardson, Policy Manager, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
Felix Wight, Development Manager, Community Energy Scotland

At 2pm

Ian Johnstone, Senior Consultant, Aquatera
Alistair Gray, Chairman, Hammars Hill Energy
Neil Kermode, Managing Director, European Marine Energy Centre

Purpose of the sessions

At this session the Committee examines community and locally owned renewable energy schemes on the islands. They also look at how the renewable sector in Orkney has been affected by recent changes to national energy policy. Amongst those giving evidence are Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Community Energy Scotland and representatives of the Orkney Renewable Energy Forum.

Chair's comment

Announcing the sessions Committee Chair, Pete Wishart, said:

"These sessions will give us a picture of the future of energy production in Scotland. Our visit to Orkney will show how wind power has developed to become a prominent part of the local energy supply. We will also see the innovation that is going on in Orkney, not just in developing wave and tidal power, but in building community projects that encourage us to think about the energy we use and the way it is produced.
This will provide a background to our session in Edinburgh were we will hear about the challenges ahead as the UK and Scotland look to meet targets for reducing carbon emission. We will be looking at what we have achieved so far, and how much more needs to be done to reduce carbon emissions across Scotland and the UK while ensuring energy supply is maintained in the future."

Further information

Image: iStockphoto