Highland energy ‘opportunity’; and Raigmore Interchange upgrade
Boosting benefits of renewables
It is heartening that the HIE/HIREP report published last week, describing planned renewable developments across Highland, highlighted the huge number of jobs and massive inward investment they will bring.
Words such as “unprecedented” and “transformational” indicate the potential benefits that could occur - but only if communities and third party organisations play an active part now.
Some people will remember “unprecedented” and “transformational” being used to describe the oil boom in the 70s - but then watched, for the next 50 years, as money flowed from the oil fields to private and foreign state-owned firms.
Community ownership provides a chance to do things differently. The Scottish and UK governments state they support communities having an ownership stake in renewables, be they wind, pumped hydro, solar or battery energy storage schemes.
With 110 planned developments across Highland, and a projected investment of over £41 billion by 2040, now is the time for Highlanders to think about their own community applying for an ownership stake in projects near them. Much greater revenue will result from community ownership than from whatever community benefits a developer chooses to bestow, which is the current norm.
The report indicates at least 10,000 jobs in Highland in construction and subsequent operations. This is enormous! But many will be high-skilled jobs and, unless a commitment is secured from developers to upskill Highland workers to maximise these opportunities, the jobs will inevitably go to outside companies - with subsequent housing and inflation issues for local communities.
Highland People’s Power (HPP) is a co-operative society that launched at the end of last year. Our role is to assist communities to seek ownership stakes in renewable developments. Significant grant support is available, along with a range of other ways of raising finance. It really isn’t unattainable. Anyone who can read, fill out a form and find their way around a website can help secure a prosperous future for their community.
Through shared ownership, much more money will flow into adjacent communities. We also plan to invest surplus revenue in areas that may not be adjacent to renewable projects. How much more attractive and practical it would be to live in both rural and run-down urban areas of Highland, if there were apprenticeships, jobs, more recreation for young and old, and better transport infrastructure?
HPP is currently undertaking a community buildings project to assist village halls, faith and other community buildings in the Highland region to install solar panels. A similar co-operative in Northumberland sells electricity to halls much more cheaply than the standard rate. This both reduces costs and promotes community cohesion; folk are much more likely to do yoga in warm halls!
Whatever your view on the expansion of renewables across the region, and many people will have mixed views, there is no doubt that it is happening. HPP urges communities to grab the opportunity. Let’s stop all the money flowing away again. Communities will have our support to do so. Please go to www.highlandpeople’spower.org.uk for more information.
Kate MacLachlan
Highland People’s Power
£2m upgrade for deadly Raigmore Interchange
The deadly Raigmore Interchange looks set for a £2m upgrade to transform it into a fully signal-controlled junction - ending decades of campaigning for vital safety improvements. The busy Inverness roundabout, which brings the A9 and A96 together, has been a notorious traffic bottleneck and accident blackspot for years.
“As long as they aren’t badly timed like the Longman. That roundabout always works better when the lights are broken.” - Niall McDonnell
“Long overdue. This is a very dangerous crossing. The lack of lights on the A9 on ramp is a huge deterrent to using that route. Fixing the problem will increase active travel along that route. £2M seems a lot of money for a traffic light!” - Mick Heath
“Mick Heath, I've read about something similar. It points out that infrastructure for motor vehicles is a lot more expensive than people imagine - it's one of the hidden costs of motoring borne by the taxpayer. Traffic lights were given as the example. It reminds us that we all pay for cars, whether we drive one or not.” - Kay Louise Kelly
“Not before time sad so many accidents had to happen before anything gets done.” - Lyynda Mckenzie
“More money spent for drivers who cannot navigate a simple roundabout, heaven knows how they would get on in other parts of the country where they have triple roundabouts.” - Jan Duncan
“Jan Duncan, money well spent if it saves lives!” - Simon Campbell
“It will be a relief to all involved when this is finally changed. I along with others have been keen to see improved crossing replacements works here. The now visible signs were a first step. Please Transport Scotland no more delays - two years ago we were informed it was to be done.” - Isabelle MacKenzie
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