Wild Land News no 59, Winter 2003/2004

Proposals for Renewable Energy Developments since June 2003 Article

An update by Fiona Anderson

A rush to off-shore wind developments, heralded by the Robin Rigg proposal (in Last Wild Land News), looks set to follow the on-shore wind farm revolution. In July the Government announced a new round of offshore electricity developments, after rigorous environmental assessment - 2,000 turbines in 3 strategic areas: the Thames Estuary, the Wash and the North West coast. In September the Scottish Executive gave a research grant to offshore oil operator Talisman and Scottish and Southern Energy to fund a study to design the World's first deep offshore wind farm. The companies envisage building up to 200 turbines linked to the existing Beatrice oil fields which could generate up to 1,000 MW, or about half of the capacity needed to meet the target of 40% generation of all electricity from renewables by 2020. In October six locations within the English strategic areas was announced. Each will have 30 turbines and together they will provide energy for 350,000 homes.

In August a 29 turbine wind farm was proposed by an Irish company on the M8 at Blackhill, "the most visible in the UK". The same company is also seeking consent for a 200-turbine farm adjacent to the M74 at Crawford, South Lanarkshire.

At the end of August a Scottish Executive poll of public support for wind farms found over 80% in favour of increased generation.

In September Highland Council recommended approval of the controversial hydro scheme at Shieldaig, Wester Ross against the advice of their officials. The Scottish Executive will decide the case. Over 800 objections were received. Aberdeen City Council announced a proposed wind farm of 20 turbines just off the coast as part of an energy futures centre on the beach front.

In October Loch Lomond/Trossachs National Park Authority opposed 2 hydro schemes proposed in Glen Falloch - a 6m high dam at Allt Fion Ghleann, a weir at Ben Glas and 2 power houses. The Scottish Executive will decide. Mohammed el Fayed also proposed a 50 turbine windfarm on his Invercassley Estate between the rivers Cassley and Oykel.

In October also Highland Council are pressing the Scottish Executive to set a realistic and enforceable level of community benefit from developers of wind farms. The market average is £1,000 per MW - they claim a fairer figure would be £5,000 MW. Borders Council also announced they are preparing a Vocational strategy for wind farms.

A reported RE seminar in the Central Belt indicated that with 180 MW installed wind generating capacity, the same again being built, 1400 MW in planning and more than 4000MW "in development", the Scottish renewables target of 3520 MW by 2020 could be comfortably met from onshore wind alone. But the government clearly thinks this unlikely! Environmental appraisals of visibility are now being widened from 25 km radius to 60km as structures now often exceed 100m in height, and concern was expressed at the astonishing amounts of aggregate required for access roads to many turbines.