Turbine dangers for Lewis eagles
Credit: The Press and Journal, www.pressandjournal.co.uk 21 January 2010
January 14 was a black day for those who appreciate scenic wild land, spectacular birds of prey and democracy, because Jim Mather, Scotland’s energy and tourism minister, approved 33 giant 478ft wind turbines in the Eisgein Estate on Lewis.
A more sustainable option would have been to declare this most remote area a national park, as it has one of the highest concentrations of golden eagles in the world, as well as a few pairs of sea eagles.
It is a flawed decision on several counts, namely the inevitable eagle deaths caused by blade strikes, the loss of tourism jobs, the low number of permanent jobs (possibly only three) and the choice of the most inefficient power-generation technology.
Wind turbines can achieve only a maximum of 34% efficiency due to winds being too strong or calm spells.
Why not use wave and tidal generators, which are closer to 90% efficiency?
How can the government deem it acceptable to allow a wind factory to kill rare birds of prey?
Its own figures of “only 10 eagle strikes over 25 years” are naive considering a similar windfarm in Smola, Norway, killed over 30 sea eagles in three years.
I cannot imagine that Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil is too happy that SNP colleague Mr Mather has alienated the 1,000-plus island voters who made written objections to this windfarm.
Les Mac an Ultaigh,
1 Tomair,
Baile Ailein,
Lewis.
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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