SCOTLAND is on target to meet its net zero ambitions without the need for a new wind farm in the Borders, a public local inquiry has heard.
The inquiry was triggered last year after members of Scottish Borders Council’s Planning and Building Standards Committee formally objected to the proposed 14-turbine Greystone Knowe Wind Farm, earmarked for land around 2km south of Heriot and 2.5km west of Fountainhall.
Much of the site is located on upland grazing land with small blocks of plantation forestry.
The turbines would have maximum tip heights of 180 metres.
At the inquiry, Dr Christopher Ford gave evidence on behalf of Scottish Borders Council.
He explored some of the major changes taking place in energy market regulation and changes to UK government policy.
Dr Ford also stressed that Scotland is already set to comfortably achieve the Scottish government’s 20GW ambition by 2030.
It was also stated that, if consented, Greystone Knowe’s earliest grid connection would be 2031 – therefore this project would not contribute to any national renewable targets.
In his written submission, Dr Ford stated: “The proposal, for a potential Greystone Knowe wind farm, is not only one of many wind energy developments being proposed in Scotland, it is one of many thousands of renewable developments being put forward across the UK.
“In the last few years, the picture of renewable energy developments has fundamentally changed.
“A decade ago, there was a desperate need for renewable energy developments to be proposed. It was important that almost any proposal got a green light, to accelerate the country’s delivery of net zero.
“Today, with more than three times the capacity being proposed than the UK needs for net zero and more coming forward every day, it is clear we have the capacity to get to net zero.
“Thus, the emphasis within decision making on individual proposals can now change. Decision making, both within Scotland and across the UK, can be highly selective.
“Consent need be awarded only to proposals which have the least overall or no adverse environmental effects and to developments which will result in least cost to consumers. On both of those criteria, this proposal is not justified.” https://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/24931092.borders-wind-farm-not-needed-meet-net-zero-targets/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIdx0ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRVDqz1bflqhKIquLgIl1k5ffdrwaIpm6JzieXMWTerGML_UJB-jD2hZ_Q_aem_-knX9u3SjRJq8Tyb8Nqy6Q
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