Council welcomes Crown Estate announcement for Kintyre etc

[Kintyre Forum News]

Council welcomes Crown Estate announcement for Kintyre and Islay

Argyll and Bute Council this week welcomed the announcement by the Crown Estate that three new sites in Kintyre and Islay are being taken forward for consideration by tidal energy developers.

The three sites which are being considered are West Islay, Mull of Kintyre and Sanda Sound. This is exciting news and it reflects the significant natural marine resource that we have in Argyll. Although it is still early days in the development of these tidal projects there is no doubt that this is an exciting time in the development of the renewable tidal sector.

In March this year the Scottish Government approved the Scottish Power Renewable development of the world’s largest tidal power array in the Sound of Islay. This week’s announcement is further proof that Argyll offers further opportunities for development of the marine renewable sector in Scotland. Argyll and Bute has a key role to play in helping the Scottish Government meet its renewable target.

Welcoming the announcement Argyll and Bute Council Leader Dick Walsh said, “As a council we recognise the opportunities that can come from sustainably harnessing our natural renewable resource. We want to secure social and economic opportunities for the people who live in Argyll and Bute and recognise the importance of working with partners through the Argyll and Bute Renewable Alliance to optimise these opportunities and to secure benefit to our local communities.”

[jowett63]

It is encouraging to see tidal power being so actively pursued in Kintyre. During the Machrihanish Offshore Windfarm debate it was often proposed that this was the most viable source of low carbon energy as it produces a constant flow of power unlike the dubiously intermittent wind turbines, is on a more human scale, has negligible visual and environmental impact compared to wind and produces as many if not not more jobs per megawatt generated. It is more expensive at the moment as it attracts the highest subsidy, but that will change as the technology matures. The devices are also a lot easier to clear up at the end of their working lives.

Also encouragingly I note that the Reporter who is hearing the appeal against the (Council's rightful decision) refusal of Planning Permission for the Kilchattan Windfarm has decided to hold a local hearing: Tuesday 13 December 2011 at 10.00 am within St Bland’s Hall, Southend, PA28 6RQ. It is not a public meeting as it invitees who have given written input to the appeal, but I am sure a peaceful demonstration of local opposition would not go amiss.

I have also seen for the first time a diagram of the extent of the "Area of Exploration" of the Machrihanish Onshore Windfarm (Named the Slate Windfarm by the developer after one of the hills it encompasses). It is very big, about 9 square miles and covering almost all of the large forested area between Dalsmirren and Machrihanish to the West of the Southend Road. Scary stuff.

Tidal power - yes please.