Press Release
THE CROWN ESTATE UNDERTAKE STUDY INTO OFFSHORE POWER TRANSMISSION
13 February 2007
An initial study has been commissioned to investigate the possibility of an offshore transmission system which could distribute renewable energy generated in Scotland around the UK.
The results, due in early spring, will assess the practicality of an east coast marine route to transmit energy generated in the Scottish Highlands and Islands from windfarms, wave and tidal devices to the rest of the UK.
In response to growing demand for sustainable sources of clean fuel and as an alternative to help overcome difficulties in providing land-based transmission lines, The Crown Estate believes that an alternative may lie in creating a new offshore high-capacity transmission system instead.
The system would consist of a number of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables and sub-stations connecting sources of generation with demand up and down the east coast of the UK.
Ian Pritchard, Head of the Marine Estate (Scotland) said: “Supplying clean and sustainable green energy is a topic on everyone’s agenda at the moment. Renewable power devices located in remote areas of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland are already operational. New technology will increase overall electricity generating capacity but transmission to the national grid is the key to long-term viability.
“If the results of the preliminary study are favourable the next stage will be to consider a detailed feasibility study. If its feasibility can be proven, a project of this scale would take several years and cost several billion pounds to complete. Our aim would be to work alongside project partners with expertise in design, engineering and infrastructure.
“We have an opportunity to foster the development of a practical power transmission system to match the UK’s changing energy needs over the next 20 years. If the study confirms that a marine HVDC cable can provide an economic solution we will move on to the next stage in the process.”
Further Information
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