The Scottish government’s rejection of plans for one of Europe’s largest onshore wind farms has left the project’s developers “bitterly disappointed”.
The 650 MW Lewis wind farm has been refused consent on the grounds of incompatibility with European law and had been opposed by some 11 000 local residents.
But the 181-turbine wind farm in the Outer Hebrides would have generated around ten per cent of Scotland’s electricity needs and paved the way for further sustainable economic activity, says Lewis Wind Power, a joint venture between Amec and British Energy.
Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather ruled that the project would have a serious impact on the area’s protected peatland and its wildlife.
“The Lewis Wind Farm would have significant adverse impacts on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, which is designated due to its high value for rare and endangered birds,” said Mather.
“European legislation requires a specific procedure to be followed when proposals which could potentially affect Special Protection Areas come forward. I considered all the relevant issues and concluded it would not be possible to approve this application.”
The £500 million development would have brought a number of economic benefits to the area, says Lewis Wind Power, including 400 local jobs and sustained income to the local community through a proposed ownership plan. The company has spent six years planning the project and believes it had demonstrated that it could be approved without violating European law.
Lewis Wind Power said in a statement: “Over the 6 years of this project, we have conducted extensive environmental and economic studies and designed the development around these findings. As a result, we believe we had put forward a detailed case showing the benefits of our proposal and the benefits it would bring to Lewis, the Highlands & Islands region and to Scotland.”
Lewis Wind Power’s plans included an interconnector to the mainland, which would have paved the way for the development of further renewable energy projects in the region.
“Sadly all of this has been lost because of the government decision which, we believe, represents a huge missed opportunity,” said Lewis Wind Power.
The Scottish government is keen to exploit the renewable energy potential of the Western Isles region. It has approved two other major wind farm developments and says that there is 6.4 GW of renewable energy either under construction or in existing or planned applications.
“This decision does not mean that there cannot be onshore wind farms in the Western Isles,” said Mather. “I strongly believe the vast renewables potential needs to be exploited to ensure that the opportunities and benefits of new development can be shared across the country in an equitable fashion.
“That's why we will urgently carry out work on how to develop renewable energy in the Western Isles, in harmony with its outstanding natural heritage. This work will result in an action plan for sustainable development on the islands and will be ready in the autumn.”
Linkedin
