By Michael Blackley, Scottish Political Editor
The relentless spread of wind farms has accelerated, with hundreds more
turbines erected in the countryside in the past year.
Capacity of Scotland’s onshore wind industry rocketed by 17 per cent in the
past year, with the increase estimated to be equivalent to more than 350
extra turbines.
The further expansion of wind farms is expected to continue in the coming
years, with the Scottish Government insisting that more are needed to meet
its green energy targets.
But the move towards greener sources of energy is almost entirely reliant
on increasing use of onshore wind, despite the massive concerns of
residents about some developments. Noise, safety concerns and the damage
developments cause to the natural beauty of an area are regularly cited by
communities.
Scottish Tory energy spokesman Alexander Burnett said: ‘More and more
turbines are emerging and communities in Scotland – particularly rural
communities – feel powerless to stop them.
‘The SNP moaned that UK Government subsidy changes would wreck the wind
farm industry. Instead, the relentless march of turbines has continued
throughout the SNP’s tenure.’
Yesterday’s figures, published by the UK Government, show total capacity of
onshore wind was 7,653 megawatts (MW) last year, compared with 6,547MW in
2016, a rise of 17 per cent.
With an average wind turbine adding around 3MW to capacity, this is
estimated to amount to an increase of around 369 extra turbines.
Total capacity has increased by 93 per cent in the past five years, from
3,955MW in 2012. Wind energy generated north of the Border last year
amounted to 16,783 gigawatt hours (GWh), a 34 per cent increase on the
previous year.
On Monday Miss Sturgeon pledged to support the continued growth of onshore
wind as she delivered the keynote address at the Scottish Renewables
conference in Edinburgh.
She said she is ‘determined’ to achieve a target for at least 50 per cent
of Scotland’s overall energy use to come from renewables by 2030, compared
with 18 per cent today.
Yesterday’s figures show renewable energy generation increased by 26 per
cent, from 19,676 GWh to 24,826 GWh.
Total generation from hydro increased by 8.5 per cent, from 4,963 GWh to
5,384 GWh, while there were also increases for tidal and solar power,
although they produced comparatively tiny amounts of electricity.
Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said: ‘Almost all of
the increase in Scotland’s renewable energy capacity was due to new onshore
wind capacity.
‘Onshore wind is our cheapest form of new electricity generation and enjoys
record support from the public but is largely unable to compete in new
power auctions.
‘That is preventing UK consumers from taking advantage of the cost and
carbon savings onshore wind can provide, and we are working hard to ensure
future projects find a way to sell the power they could produce.’
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: ‘Despite damaging policy changes from
the UK Government we continue to harness and support Scotland’s renewables
potential.
‘Renewable energy will play a hugely significant role in powering
Scotland’s future and through Scotland’s Energy Strategy we want to ensure
the correct strategic decisions are taken to support this valued sector of
Scotland’s economy.’
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