Energy, ESCo and the Economy of the Hebrides part 2

At the recent committee series ending 2nd October 2014, there was a welcome discussion on the Energy Supply Company through a report presented to the Sustainable Development Committee. A concept which the SNP Group have been pushing the council to take control of the swathes of potential renewable energy and generate clean electricity at huge discounts for every household in the Outer Hebrides.


The report stated that the council is looking to form a partnership with a private company (licensed electricity supplier) to supply cheap electricity to families across the local authority.

Stornoway North councillor Gordon Murray raised the issue of tariffs and asked if there would be protection for islanders from rising energy prices. He also expressed disappointment that the Comhairle were not exploring the possibility of supplying the locally generated green electricity to guarantee affordbale electricity and address the shocking fuel poverty statistics in the Western Isles.

The goal of affordable electricity for islanders is one that is very attractive but we should not settle for small discounts to our bills with a chance that prices may rise.

This is a great opportunity to take electricity generation and supply into community ownership where the focus of the company is on the community it serves rather than the shareholders and profits.

We believe that clean, green energy could be supplied to locals and paid for via the council tax as happens with water rates and that the council should really explore the feasibility of becoming a licensed electricity supplier. This would enable the Comhairle to rent the current electricity infrastructure and pay an electricity supplier to maintain the local grid and connections.

With the price of energy at our fingertips, we can lower household bills giving people more disposable income to spend locally. We hope that this can attract more families onto the islands as we lower the cost of living.