Producers of renewable energy in Scotland’s islands and north mainland almost certainly face the highest charges in Europe to connect to a national electricity grid, according to this report.

The study, ‘European practices with grid connection, reinforcement, constraint and charging of renewable energy projects’, was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and carried out by consultants Xero Energy.

It examined EU directives relating to renewable energy and the grid and compared UK practice with other European countries, notably the three leading renewable energy producers: Denmark, Germany and Spain.

The full report is available to download here, right.

Scottish islands grid connection - strategic viewpoint Highlands and Islands Enterprise, working in conjunction with Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, commissioned Xero Energy to consider the grid and regulatory issues impacting on the development of renewable energy generation projects on and around the Scottish Islands.Assessment of National Grid connection options for the Scottish Islands - March 2007 This report was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in conjunction with the Scottish Executive, Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - to consider the issue of the connection of main Scottish island groups to the mainland power network.