Public views sought on the National Renewables Infrastructure

The public are being invited to have their say on the Stage Two report of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP) and the accompanying Environmental Report and four Appendices. The N-RIP report has been published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise (SE), and the SEA Report by the Scottish Government in conjunction with HIE and SE. Both documents provide detail on the sites indentified for investment, and which will play a key role in the expanding offshore renewables market.

“Development of renewable energy”

The National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP), led by SE and supported by HIE, was published on 4 February 2010. It was developed in response to a key need identified by the Energy Advisory Board, chaired by First Minister, to understand the true potential for Scotland to play a major role in the expanding offshore renewables market.

Key sites in the HIE area identified in Stage One of N-RIP are Nigg, Ardersier, Campbeltown/Machrihanish, Arnish and Kishorn. This latest report recommends that the Scottish sites are developed into three regional manufacturing clusters that would support the fabrication of offshore wind components and tap into the wealth of subsea expertise that already exists in Scotland.

The report states that a total private and public investment of £223 million would assist the creation of 11 offshore wind manufacturing sites in three regional clusters. Taken together these sites could support the creation of up to 5,180 jobs and an annual economic impact of up to £294.5 million each year. It also underlines the case for the £185 million Fossil Fuel Levy to be released by the UK Treasury to accelerate the promotion and development of renewable energy in Scotland.