New planning rules seen to cease 1.4 GW of onshore wind projects in Scotland

Jul 24, 2013 - Some 1.4 GW of onshore wind park projects in Scotland could cease due the the new planning regulations for onshore wind of the Scottish government, Scottish Renewables said on Tuesday.

The planned policies are seen to halt GBP 2 billion (USD 3.1bn/EUR 2.3bn) of future investment, the industry body said as the Scottish government completed its consultation on a new National Planning Framework and Scottish Planning Policy. The new regulations envisage the introduction of new wind park applications in national parks and national scenic sites, on "wild land", and within a 2.5-km (1.6-mile) distance of cities, towns and villages.

According to Scottish Renewables' chief executive Niall Stuart, the "proposals could block wind power in most of the country, with worrying consequences for the industry, for communities and landowners and for the Scottish economy".

The proposed changes will delay the development of Scotland's renewable energy sector and also threaten its climate change goals, Stuart noted. Furthermore, the planned rules are seen to restrict the chances of local communities to build, own and operate onshore wind power facilities.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.538/EUR 1.163)

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