§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the scope is of the new study into the transmission grid between Scotland and the rest of the UK; when it will report; and if its conclusions will form part of the Energy White Paper. [43047]
§ Mr. WilsonI shall shortly be meeting representatives of the three UK transmission asset owners (The National Grid Company, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern) as well as the Scottish Executive and Ofgem in order to discuss these issues. My expectation is that work will be taken forward quickly and that it will inform the Energy White Paper.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on building a meshed grid following the publication of the concept study on the Western Offshore Transmission Grid. [43049]
§ Mr. WilsonThe recently published PB POWER report endorsed the option of an offshore hvdc link either as means of the bulk transfer of renewable energy to a suitable point on the existing transmission system, or as a means of addressing existing transmission constraints.
The report also recommended that a more detailed investigation of the feasibility of such a link should be part of a more general review of transmission system needs. My Department is considering the best way to take this work forward in conjunction with the UK transmission asset owners (National Grid Company, Scottish Power and Scottish & Southern).