Still on the starting grid
For all the big ambitions of cutting carbon emissions and the talk of Scotland being the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy, there has been one key decision facing the Scottish government that renewables enthusiasts say is crucial to making any progress - a planning decision on the grid connection from Beauly to Denny.
Yet it remains stalled.
The key to unlocking Scotland's huge potential is re-wiring the high voltage grid to get power from remote turbine into population centre.
Upgrading the line between Beauly, near Inverness, and Denny, near Stirling, is seen as the spine of such a scheme to link up the Highlands and Islands.
The plan, from a consortium led by Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy, is to upgrade the capacity of the line more than three-fold, which would require much bigger pylons.
The fact that these would march through some of Scotland's finest scenery is the source of much Beauly-Denny controversy. Some argue alternatives would work, or that the cables could be buried.
After a public inquiry, the recorder's report was handed to ministers in February. They promised to make a decision by the end of the year.
That decision is to be taken by enterprise minister Jim Mather because his boss and planning uber-boss, John Swinney, has constituency interest in the pylons going through his North Tayside constituency.
I'm assured that ministers will indeed reach a decision by the end of this month - so they are sticking to the word of their promise.
However, Mr Mather is not going to tell us what that decision is - which doesn't quite stick to the spirit of it.
The plan is to get a slot in the Scottish Parliament diary for the first week after the New Year recess, to allow for a ministerial statement. Perhaps Mr Mather can use this to explain why it takes ten months to make a planning decision, when it's supposed to be vital to Scotland's energy interests and demanding targets, and when the planning process is supposed to be getting faster.
Asked about this from Copenhagen on Monday, Alex Salmond said this is the last time such a slow process will be used before the new Planning Law takes over on large projects and ought to speed things up.
He told Glenn Campbell on Newsnight Scotland that it was important to protect the decision against the potential for judicial review - which sounded like a sort of announcement that Beauly to Denny will get the go ahead, eventually.
Hullo, I'm Douglas Fraser, and I'm business and economy editor at 91Èȱ¬ Scotland. Welcome to my blog, where you can read my take on money matters, viewed from a Scottish perspective.
Comment number 1.
At 16th Dec 2009, ronreagan wrote:yeah - lets ruin the one thing we have here - scenery - stick up 100ft plus pylons - they will be incredibly artistic.
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Comment number 2.
At 16th Dec 2009, mince and mealie wrote:Ron
Actually Scotland has rather more than one 'thing'. For a start, it clearly has huge renewable energy generation potential. (The 91Èȱ¬ had quite a good show on last night on this very subject.)
If this potential is going to be realised, there have to be transmission lines to take the power from whre it is generated to where it is needed. This is a fact. The Green Party, no less, is vociferously in favour of the Beauly-Denny line.
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Comment number 3.
At 16th Dec 2009, Wansanshoo wrote:Your 91Èȱ¬ colleague Glen Campbell put this question previously to the First Minister, the question was answered explaining in great detail the planning complexity and concern involved.
Is this the type of journalism one can expect from an organisation addicted to a 'Television Tax' for funding ?
Wansanshoo.
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Comment number 4.
At 16th Dec 2009, stevencham wrote:The Scottish government should give this controversial power line from
Beauly to Denny the go-ahead,but only if all cables are buried underground.Cutting carbon emissions and using renewable energy are
equally important as protecting the environment,landscape,wildlife and
public health,Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries on planet
earth,government should stop those irresponsible energy companies ruining our unique landscape.
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Comment number 5.
At 16th Dec 2009, Lamancha wrote:Some thought should go to those of us destined to live under this monstrosity. To my knowledge, none of the vociferous proponents of the scheme live anywhere near it, let alone within 200 metres. Would any of them risk their families health by doing so? I doubt it. Instead my family has that to look forward to.
A smaller scale, reinforced network that covers East, West and Central Scotland and includes a West Coast sub-sea cable has always been the logical solution. But such logic was never "considered" within the original "consultation". Rather, the most expedient solution was decided before any consultation even begun.
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Comment number 6.
At 16th Dec 2009, alphawest wrote:Approving this line seems like a short sighted decision, when offshore lines are needed anyway in the long run.
If it is passed, then I really hope it is buried in the most scenic areas.
Scotland does have major potential for green energy, but the biggest beneficiaries are power companies and their shareholders.
Tourism is more important for thousands of small businesses in Scotland.
And the quality of life that would be ruined for many people by these massive pylons - Surely that has to count for something too.
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Comment number 7.
At 16th Dec 2009, Iron wrote:HVDC is my interest. Stick an underground bi-polar cable, transfer gigwatts of energy. Whats the problem? oh, yes someone wants to make money!
Nemo ;-)
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Comment number 8.
At 16th Dec 2009, Hector Spacecake wrote:Does anyone know the cost implication of burying the cables? I've heard tell that it's much more expensive, but so what if it makes life better for those who would be damaged (like mysel' - 400 metres) from new overground pylons and cables. 'Twould be money better spent than wiping out bairns in Iraq anyhoo.
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