CONSERVATIONISTS have warned thousands of Scotland’s seabirds will be put
under threat after ministers won a court battle to give the go-ahead for
four massive offshore windfarms.
The RSPB said it was “bitterly disappointed” over the decision from the
Inner House of the Court of Session, with the charity having won an earlier
appeal against the projects.
The most advanced of the schemes is the £2 billion 450MW Neart Na Gaoithe
wind farm in the Firth of Forth estuary, which already holds a power
generation contract.
The others given the green flag are the 784MW Inch Cape turbines 15 km off
the Angus coastline, and two Seagreen arrays near the Isle of May.
The RSPB had objected to the plans on environmental grounds, and believe
they could have a devastating impact on vulnerable wildlife.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland said the charity backed renewable
power, but not at any cost.
He said: “Combined, these huge projects threaten to kill thousands of
Scotland’s internationally protected seabirds every year, including
thousands of puffins, gannets and kittiwakes.
“These could be amongst the most deadly windfarms for birds anywhere in the
world.
“It was with great reluctance and as a last resort, but in these
circumstances, it was clear that RSPB Scotland had to make a stand. Given
the huge threat to Scotland’s wildlife from these projects, we do not
regret our actions so far.”
Mainstream Renewable Power, the firm behind the Neart Na Gaoithe plan,
intends to build 64 turbines rising 100 metres from the sea bed.
The firm says that more than £540 million will be invested in Scotland
during the construction phase, with a further £610m during the lifetime of
the windfarm.
More than 500 jobs will be created during construction, with 100 permanent
posts once the project is complete.
David Sweenie, Mainstream’s Offshore Manager for Scotland, insisted the
firm would work closely to minimise the impact on the environment. He said:
“This £2bn project is capable of supplying all the homes in a city the size
of Edinburgh with clean energy.
“It will create over 500 jobs during construction and over 100 permanent
jobs once operational.
“As a nationally significant infrastructure project, Neart na Gaoithe will
help Scotland and the UK meet their climate and energy goals, and develop a
world-leading offshore wind sector.”
Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “The
Scottish Government remains strongly committed to the development of
offshore wind energy.
“Clearly, protecting Scotland’s marine environment is of paramount
importance and at the heart of the Scottish Government’s approach to
offshore renewable energy applications, and we are keen to work
constructively with both the RSPB and renewable energy developers to ensure
the sector has a bright future in Scotland.”
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