Wind Power News: Scotland
| RSS | Scotland |
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted.
Wind farm inquiry opens amid fears for future of standing stones
Weeks after plans to locate Europe’s biggest wind farm on Lewis were refused, a public inquiry opened on the island yesterday into another controversial wind farm proposal.
Opponents are concerned it would set the prehistoric Callanish standing stones in an industrial landscape.
City financier Nicholas Oppenheim originally wanted to build 133 turbines on his Eishken Estate in Pairc, in the south-east of Lewis but the plans have been scaled down to 53 after representations from environmentalists, including …
Lewis wind turbine inquiry opens
A public inquiry into plans to build a 53-turbine wind farm close to a prehistoric site on the Isle of Lewis is to open in Stornoway.
Landowner Nicholas Oppenheim believes the £120m plans by his Beinn Mhor firm will boost the island’s economy.
The developer plans to lease six turbines and the income they generate to the local community in a deal they hope will be worth millions of pounds.
But protestors fear the turbines will damage the …
Complete story (plus email and print links) »
Artists take up Viking challenge
More than a dozen Shetland artists have taken up the challenge from a local gallery owner to create new pieces of work about the plans for a massive wind farm in the islands’ central mainland.
Among those exhibiting at Dorota Rychlik’s Vaila Fine Art gallery, in Lerwick’s Commercial Street, are Paul Bloomer, Mike McDonnell, Peter Davis, Gail Harvey, Davy Inkster, Ron Sanford and Richard Swales.
Most pieces reflect a deep unease with the proposal to erect 154 …
Complete story (plus email and print links) »
Wind farms show blows in
Plans for two proposed wind farms in East Lothian are to go on show for local residents.
An exhibition of the designs for wind farms at Keith Hill and Pogbie can be seen at Humbie Village Hall later this month.
The plans exhibited may not be the final proposals for these two independent developments, but the exhibition will provide residents with an opportunity to assess the potential impact.
There will also be representatives of the developers for the …
Complete story (plus email and print links) »
Turbines on the march
Annandale and Eskdale is seeing the winds of change on its landscape.
In a multi-million pound investment the area now has 20 wind turbines fully operational and generating electricity.
And, in coming years, that figure could rise to 372 across the district.
Airtricity Development Scotland has announced its 16-turbine windfarm at Risp Hill on Minsca Farm between Waterbeck and Lockerbie is now fully operational after its commissioning phase and testing period.
They join four turbines already working in a …
Complete story (plus email and print links) »
Turbine plan is rejected
Perthshire’s public purse could be set to feel the strain after councillors threw out a controversial wind farm plan.
Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee voted to turn down an application from Perth-based developers I and H Brown for the 14-turbine Calliachar renewables scheme, on grazing land near Aberfeldy.
Managing director Scott Brown said the scheme would help safeguard the future of the 200-employee firm, but councillors were more concerned about the potential damage …
Complete story (plus email and print links) »
Park delays decision on windfarm plan
Members of the national park’s planning panel have deferred a decision on whether to lodge an objection to nine new turbines planned near Fintry.
Park planners are recommending the committee does lodge an objection to the plans by RDC Scotland Ltd. The company wants to erect the turbines, a permanent 70m monitoring mast and other equipment at Ling Hill, north-west of the existing 15-turbine Earlsburn windfarm.
The park officials say the visual impact of the new proposal …
Complete story (plus email and print links) »
Turbine plans set to be refused
Ministry of Defence claims structure would interfere with nearby radar station
Plans to construct a 260ft-high wind turbine on a Buchan farm look certain to be thrown out over fears the giant structure could prevent the Ministry of Defence detecting enemy aircraft.
Buchan firm Ednie Farms want to site the turbine – which would be more than 200ft in diameter – near Peterhead on land at Bruxiehill, St Fergus.
But the MoD has objected to the proposals on …
Complete story (plus email and print links) »
Decision to reject windfarm bid hailed; Council heeds objectors' views
Perth and Kinross councillor Barbara Vaughan has welcomed a decision to reject a fresh planning application for the Calliacher windfarm.
The Strathtay councillor said the local authority’s development control committee had “very bravely” taken account of submissions from objectors.
Opponents included the John Muir Trust and local residents, who claimed the proposed development would be detrimental to Strathbraan and the wider Perthshire area, as well as tourism.
“It is a great pity that it falls to such a …
Complete story (plus email and print links) »
Windfarm admission prompts row
Government under fire after revealing it did not seek EC guidance before rejecting plans.
The Scottish Government came under fire yesterday after revealing that it did not seek guidance from the European Commission before rejecting plans for a 181-turbine windfarm on the Barvas Moor in Lewis.
Highland Labour MSP Peter Peacock said the admission in a written reply from Energy Minister Jim Mather “beggared belief”.
And he said the government had passed up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to resurrect …
Complete story (plus email and print links) »
