SNH keeps quiet about damaging wind turbine development as Scottish Government shuts its eyes to mounting evidence

In five years the area of Scotland affected by wind turbines has more than doubled – from 19.9% in 2008 to 45.9% in 2013, according to SNH’s Natural Heritage Visual Indicator which it quietly published online (1) last November.

The situation is actually much grimmer as hundreds of giant industrial turbines have been erected in the last fifteen 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 (2).

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.

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?

Denmark, a model renewable energy country which pioneered wind turbines and derives 39% of its energy mix from wind, has stalled virtually all wind farm development over fears that it damages human and animal health (3). A report into wind development just published by the Northern Ireland Assembly sounds clear warning bells on saturation, noise, health, safety and proximity to communities (4).

Far from becoming a world-leader in the green revolution, the Scottish Government are fast turning into world-class green monkeys.

(1) http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A1064015.pdf

(2) http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewable-energy/research-data-and-trends/trendsandstats/windfarm-footprint-maps/

(3) http://www.feelgreen.de/daenemark-stoppt-ausbau-von-windkraftanlagen/id_73106348/index

(4) http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/committees/environment/reports/report-on-the-committees-inquiry-into-wind-energy/
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/business/major-overhaul-of-wind-farm-planning-urged-1-6611478