September 30, 2012
Scotland

‘Turbine rejection should kill off £230m windfarm’

By David Ewen, Chief Reporter | Evening Express | www.eveningexpress.co.uk | 29 September 2012

The decision to reject a turbine proposal was today described as a “fatal blow” for a £230 million windfarm plan.

The Trump Organisation said it “commended” Aberdeen City Council for unanimously opposing the Tarbothill scheme, near Blackdog.

The Ministry of Defence had warned that the 80ft mast would interfere with radar and stop the Royal Air Force from being able to provide a full air surveillance service

The Trump Organisation is opposing plans for an offshore windfarm with 11 turbines of more than 600ft a few miles away – which the Scottish Government is expected to rule on before the end of the year.

International development director George Sorial said: “This is a fatal blow to the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre application if there is any honesty to the Scottish planning system.

“If the First Minister and the Scottish Government takes the opinion of the MoD seriously, which he should, they should put a moratorium on all applications, not just the EOWDC.”

The Trump Organisation has halted plans for a £750m resort because of a plan for the 11-turbine test centre, which it says will blight views of its recently opened golf course nearby.

It has called on the city council and Aberdeenshire Council to object and “trigger” a public inquiry.

The EOWDC developers insist the centre will have “minimal impact” on the course, and will help make Aberdeen a world energy capital.

An official objection has been launched by the MoD but the EOWDC partners – Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, Vattenfall and Technip – said they were confident the turbines would not compromise defence systems.

Project spokesman Iain Todd said: “We are actively working with the MoD to resolve any outstanding issues in respect of our project.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/30/turbine-rejection-should-kill-off-230m-windfarm/