English tidal barrage could be built with island aggregates 21/7/08
A leading Western Isles councillor has highlighted the irony if millions of tons of rock were quarried from the renewable energy-rich islands to build a tidal power barrage in England.
The proposal to build a £ 15 billion causeway housing tidal turbines in Bristol across the Severn River between England and Wales has the exact same aims as planned giant wind farms and power schemes in the Western Isles.
But recently the Scottish Government rejected planning permission for a massive £ 700 million wind farm on Lewis.
The council is also seeking funding to build an ambitious energy causeway over the sea between Harris and Uist.
It would generate vast amounts of electricity from wind turbines and also create a vital roadway across the island chain.
Angus Campbell, vice-convenor of Western Isles Council, says that the Government should back large scale renewable power projects in the islands.
He points out that the Western Isles has the best renewable energy resource anywhere in Europe.
But a House of Common’s debate heard that rock would be imported from north of Scotland quarries to erect the Severn barrage.
Mr Campbell said: “The Severn barrage is exactly what we are trying to build across the Sound of Harris.
He added: “It would be feasible to ship aggregates from here to the Severn why are the Western Isles are having to pick up scraps of other projects while we have the best and more efficient renewable resources here.”
Mr Campbell said: “It is terrible that we get knocked back for our own energy schemes and only expected to supply rock for renewable projects
