Green policies prevent green dream from becoming a reality?
It is often said that Inverness is the fastest growing city in Europe. Whether it is true or not I cannot say for sure - but certainly the population since I was first elected in 1999 has grown enormously.
Even so, if Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is correct then, in the famous words of the late, great Al Jolson: “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”
HIE estimates that, with 251 economic projects planned or in the pipeline for the Highlands, there will be no less than 18,000 additional jobs created over the next decades.
Given that these will be taken up mostly by people starting rather than finishing their careers, this 18,000 may be around 40,000 more people seeking to live here, once family are included. Many or most in Inverness.
This economic growth and success, whilst welcome, is dependent substantially upon the realisation of the renewable projects of various types: off shore wind; grid upgrades; pump storage hydro projects. And dare I mention the dualling of the A9 and A96, at least to Nairn (at least if I have anything to do with it - it’s my desire to see these projects through).
Yet such exponential growth brings its own challenges. What about the public services? Will they be able to cope?
We already see some school rolls full or nearly full, and medical GP practices not able to take on more patients. And what about the houses needed? Scarcely a day goes by when my office is not contacted by someone who cannot get a home. The existing strain on the NHS and education services is substantial and of real concern and hardship for many.
This brings me to a current and obvious barrier to growth which has, as yet, scarcely been mentioned: the capacity of the existing electricity network to cope. And here lies a rich irony. Last year the building regulations were changed. New homes now need heat pumps or other non fossil fuelled heating systems as well as EVs - electric vehicle charging points.
This in turn means that the amount of electricity, according to one house builder who has raised this with me, may be as much as treble what is required per home at present.
The grid was not designed to cope with trebling capacity. Why should it have been?
This has resulted in developers being told by SSE that there is no, or not enough, spare capacity on the distribution network right now, and so potentially long delays.
It’s hampering existing businesses too, who have plans to grow and need more electricity to do so.
This is happening in Inverness and over the past weeks I have had meetings to discuss it with a developer; with Homes for Scotland, the house builders’ trade body; and with SHEPD, the distribution arm of SSE. I know they are working hard together on finding solutions.
A temporary solution may be found. But I suspect that if we are to see more homes built to meet the current and future demand, then there will almost certainly be a need for flexibility; for the regulations to be relaxed.
If not, then, and this is the irony, it would be “green tape” that may thwart the realisation of the renewable green ambition. Green rules may in practice prevent achievement of the whole green power project - into which economic basket the Scottish Government appears to have placed almost all its eggs.
I have raised this in Holyrood already, as has at least one other MSP from another part of the country where this problem arises.
So far Scottish Government answers have not been forthcoming.
Not being in the habit of taking “don’t know” for an answer I shall continue to ask the question. Inconvenient for some, yes, but asking the awkward question is part of the job description!
As any critical friend should do.
Fergus Ewing is SNP MSP Inverness and Nairn.
