Written by Ian Ramage
The SNP Government is obsessed with lining the pockets of foreign windfarm
developers, according to campaigners who have condemned a summit to be
hosted by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing tomorrow.
He will meet representatives of the renewable energy sector in Glasgow
where they are expected to vent their anger over the UK Government’s
decision to end subsidies to the industry.
Mr Ewing’s opponents say the main beneficiaries of the turbines built
across Scotland are overseas companies.
Highland SNP MSP Mike MacKenzie this week heralded figures from
environmental charity WWF Scotland that showed wind turbines generated
enough electricity “on average” for the needs of 70% of Scottish homes.
Such data fails to impress former Caithness-based industry watcher and
retired engineer Stuart Young. He asked: “Why does Mr Ewing want to ensure
that foreigners get Scottish money? Falck Renewables are Italian. Scottish
Power is Spanish owned. Most companies represented at Thursday’s meeting
involve foreign interests. Somebody has to question the motivation of
politicians who forever take the wind industry’s side against the needs of
the Scottish people.”
Highland anti-windfarm campaigner Lyndsey Ward said: “The SNP have a green
fog descend over them where wind is concerned, rendering them unable to see
or hear anything negative about wind, or listen to their constituents.
“Those affected have hopes and dreams dashed by developers and they feel
abandoned by a government that, truthfully, only represents the
multi-nationals and often absentee landowners. The Scottish Government is a
puppet of a wind industry that has brought widespread misery to rural
communities.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government works with a
range of partners in all parts of the energy sector to maintain security of
supply, tackle climate change and to deliver to the best possible deal for
customers.
“We strongly disagree with the UK Government’s decision to close the
renewables obligation for onshore wind. This was made without our consent
and will have a negative impact on a key sector of the Scottish economy.
The proposals have a disproportionate impact on Scotland as around 70% of
onshore wind projects in the UK planning system are here.
“Onshore wind is already the lowest cost of all low-carbon options. This,
as well as the vital contribution onshore wind makes towards dealing with
climate change, means it should be the last option to be scrapped,
curtailed or restricted. The industry has estimated it could cost £3billion
investment in Scotland and puts as many as 3,000 full-time jobs at risk.
“Scotland is one of the top locations for foreign investment projects
outside of London. The Scottish Government will continue to work with
partners across the private sector to protect jobs and investment in Scotland.”
2 Comments