Over the next years SSEN Transmission will deliver the HVDC interconnector project and windfarm projects, both terrestrial and marine, will move into build-out and implementation.

A range of critical issues were explored at the meeting including maximising business and wider community benefits; accommodation planning; developing workforce opportunities and skills; enhancing local infrastructure; engagement with transport operators to ensure appropriate freight capacity and refreshed approaches to community engagement and consultation.

Speaking after the event Calum Iain MacIver, the Comhairle’s depute chief executive, who chaired the meeting said: “Over the past decade there has been much talk as to whether a commercial renewable energy sector would ever emerge in the Outer Hebrides. The confirmation, in December 2022, that a 1.8GW interconnector was approved by Ofgem has radically reshaped the opportunity and has provided much-needed certainty for the industry.

“This has provided momentum with SSEN Transmission moving at pace on securing the supply chain for the interconnector and individual developers seeking to move their projects through their various consenting processes. The aim is that the interconnector and the relevant generating plant will be in place and energised during 2030. This will require a significant construction programme in the latter half of this decade and detailed pre-implementation planning ahead of construction.

“The build programme will require collaboration between developers, the public sector, local businesses, and the community to ensure the most efficient and beneficial approaches are identified and implemented. Tuesday’s meeting was a key step in stimulating that collaboration and I was extremely pleased that there was good consensus around the key issues that we collectively require to focus on over the next period”.

Joanna Peteranna, Highlands and Islands Enterprise Area Manager for the Outer Hebrides, added: “The establishment of a commercial renewables industry in the Outer Hebrides offers a transformational economic opportunity. We require to be proactive, however, in ensuring as much business as possible is captured within the local market and that well-paid, highly skilled, and enduring jobs are created as a result of these significant investments.

“HIE is keen to encourage and support collaboration with developers and the local supply chain to ensure that this key goal is achieved. Today’s meeting was a critical and positive first step that has allowed us to map out strategic approaches and critical short to medium term goals for the next period”.

The meeting was attended by representatives of:

• Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• UHI North, West and Hebrides
• SSEN Transmission
• Lewis Wind Power
• Bay Wa R.E.
• Eurowind
• Northland Power
• Magnora Offshore were unable to attend due to air traffic disruption, but were able to input to the meeting.