Split decision for Scottish wind energy projects

The Scottish Government gave the go-ahead for a 22-turbine wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway but rejected a similar-sized project in the Borders. Scotland’s Energy Minister Fergus Ewing approved the […]

The Scottish Government gave the go-ahead for a 22-turbine wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway but rejected a similar-sized project in the Borders.

Scotland’s Energy Minister Fergus Ewing approved the £65 million Ewe Hill project by Iberdrola’s ScottishPower unit, which will have a total capacity of 51MW. That would be equivalent to powering around 24,000 households.

He said: “Projects like this provide considerable benefits to the local community and play an important part in helping Scotland reach its target of 100% of electricity demand generated from renewables.”

Mr Ewing however refused permission for RWE’s 21-turbine Rowantree wind farm near Oxton on the grounds of “noise impacts to nearby residents as well as visual impacts”.

He added: “The Scottish Government wants to see the right developments in the right places and Scottish planning policy is clear that the design and location of renewables projects should reflect the scale and character of the landscape as well as being considered environmentally acceptable.

“That is why I have refused permission for the proposed wind farm at Rowantree, which would have brought unacceptable environmental impacts to people living in the area.”

Latest Podcast