February 2025

Officials have unveiled plans to connect new wind and solar farms to the power grid faster, which they hope will end years of gridlock for some projects. Regulator Ofgem hopes to scrap the current first-come, first-served approach to the grid connections queue, which has left some projects facing decade-long delays.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/labour-ofgem-ed-miliband-developers-britain-b2698039.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIb7g5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbx_0h0yPzTL7UGLz1XSnZjSWiZYy2g-PE6Fl1aTGdc8Pg5Y5_IMoZQ6wQ_aem_P9ij1IJrFsMZY-9ZGXoZTQ

A SUTHERLAND resident, who runs a holiday rental business, says he fears for his livelihood because of the number of wind farms and associated infrastructure proposed in his area. Rupert Haig-Thomas is concerned not only for himself but also for others who run visitor-dependent businesses in the Kyle of Sutherland Read more

“Offshore wind development is essential and urgent, but this emerging industry needs to be ‘nature positive’ from the get-go”.  https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/seabirds-are-scotlands-great-barrier-reef-we-must-save-them-from-windfarm-calamity-4987375?fbclid=IwY2xjawIZ7_BleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSOsSqP91kvUUaUCWV6C2tLlz8z6cOuhoBgTwz-wp7Yc2B6oUCpKEeP75w_aem_APtJqN2XAqK0uvRs54zrDQ  

Scotsman letters There are 2,245 wind turbines in Highland Council’s patch, either built or possibly on the way. There are more off-shore. When the wind blows, that will be enough for at least 11 million homes, but there are only 5.5 million people in Scotland. This electricity isn’t for the Read more

For those of you needing information on BESS, or about how to comment about the current avalanche of BESS applications, this makes a useful read and reference!  https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/EN010133/EN010133-000906-7000%20Acres%20-%20Written%20Representations%20and%20summaries%20for%20any%20that%20exceed%201500%20words%202.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawIYMXdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSO9LooW42PPgvxClJHzHX9P5wFYbuN1Mx-Szz_8sOsK8Qn1nMaq8161xA_aem_jYL9pERQF7biqQw7YiS1pw#page7

SCOTSMAN Heritage vandals Just when we thought the environmental damage couldn’t get any worse, it is horrifying to read there are “plans for 17-turbine wind farm on the edge of world heritage site” (Scotsman, 8 February). This proposed vandalism demonstrates perfectly the utter stupidity of the Scottish Government’s wind energy Read more

A UK power station that has received billions of pounds in government subsidies has failed more than once to report it burned wood from primary forests, BBC News has found. Drax Power Station, which burns wood pellets, is required to report where it sources its wood and whether it is Read more

In the Highland splendour of Drum Lodge on the Dorback Estate, a tickled-pink Rich Stockdale nestles into an armchair before a magnificent open fire to interview a member of his staff. The CEO of Oxygen Conservation has every reason to be grinning from ear to ear as he lobs easy Read more