February 6, 2012
Scotland
Scotland
Offshore turbines ‘will pose a threat to nuclear subs fleet’
www.scotsman.com 6 February 2012
www.scotsman.com 6 February 2012
Defence chiefs have warned that Britain’s nuclear submarine fleet could be under threat from plans to erect hundreds of wind farms off the west coast of Scotland.
They say the developments could hamper access to the Trident base on the Clyde and increase the risk of subs running aground or colliding with other vessels.
Reports yesterday quoted a senior defence source as saying: “There is no doubt that these fields would be an additional hazard to shipping. The rotating blades of turbines distort sonar images and impede visibility.”
Faslane is the base for four nuclear submarines and Trident warheads are held in a facility at nearby Coulport.
Submarines access the bases via the outer Firth of Clyde, which has been earmarked for offshore wind-farm development by the Scottish Government.
The MoD source added: “Placing a 70m-high obstacle in the path of any traffic, military or not, could lead to the limitation of otherwise navigable waters.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said all initial search areas will be subject to further analysis by Marine Scotland.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/06/offshore-turbines-will-pose-a-threat-to-nuclear-subs-fleet/