March 5, 2015
Scotland

Windfarms now visible from half of Scotland

Windfarms now visibile from half of Scotland | By Ilona Amos | The Scotsman | 05 March 2015 | www.scotsman.com

Wind turbines can now be seen from almost half of all places in Scotland, according to the latest figures from the government’s nature agency.

The new Scottish Natural Heritage report shows the scale of areas affected has more than doubled in the past five years from 19.9 per cent in 2008 to 45.9 per cent in 2013.

Anti wind campaigners have condemned the latest figures as out of date, since they only account for turbines that were already operational by the end of 2013.

They say the true picture is “much grimmer”, since a number of further schemes have already been constructed and many more are currently under development.

Linda Holt, a spokeswoman for Scotland Against Spin, said: “The situation is actually much grimmer as hundreds of giant industrial turbines have been erected in the last 15 months, and thousands more are due to be erected or are in the planning process.

“Why isn’t SNH releasing more up-to-date figures? Its never very complete or accurate wind farm map is supposed to be revised annually, but the last one appeared in August 2013.”

John Milne, coordinator for the Scottish Wild Land Group conservation charity, said: “This depressing set of statistics reflects the situation up to the end of 2013.

“However, there is a very long list of industrial wind farms in the pipeline, many of which would have a disastrous impact on our iconic landscapes.

“If the Scottish Government succeeds in meeting its onshore wind targets, how much of our wild land will remain unspoiled by turbines and what will be the consequences for Scotland’s tourist trade – estimated to be worth over £23 billion by 2025?”

The campaigners also accused the quango of colluding with Scottish leaders in hushing up the real impact of the government’s green energy goals, which aim for the equivalent of all the country’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.

“SNH’s statutory duty to look after our natural environment depends on collecting and publishing relevant information, but it is plainly hobbled in this task if it is starved of the resources, or political support, to do so,” said Ms Holt.

“Only a Scottish Government clinging on to a discredited wind energy policy stands to gain from keeping information about the true scale and extent of wind farm development secret.

“How much longer will SNH help Scottish ministers to hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil when it comes to industrial wind turbines?”

The new report shows the percentage of Scotland’s land area from which some type of built development can be seen. It includes airfields, major bridges, quarries, offshore structures, wind turbines, buildings, roads and overhead cables.

The overall area of Scotland from which built developments can be seen rose to 73 per cent in 2013, an increase of nearly 12 per cent from 65.4 per cent in 2008.

Most categories showed no change, but the visual impact from wind turbines rose from 41.7 per cent to 45.9 per cent in the 12 months – which is more than double the 2008 area of 19.9 per cent.

Minor roads increased by 0.2 per cent, mainly in areas of forestry or sites associated with wind turbine construction.

Overhead lines showed a 0.6 per cent increase, but the report suggests this is down to more detailed mapping of networks on Skye and Shetland.

SNH admitted the most recent visual impact indicator had been delayed, but insisted this had been necessary in order to safeguard its accuracy.

The agency also defended a hold-up in publishing its most up-to-date wind turbine footprint map, which includes data up to August 2014, blaming ongoing work with the Scottish Government “to develop a more robust, transparent and complete approach to mapping”.

Ms Holt added: “Far from becoming a world leader in the green revolution, the Scottish Government are fast turning into world-class green monkeys.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/03/05/windfarms-now-visible-from-half-of-scotland/