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Green firms urged to protect mountains from “unsuitable” turbines 

Credit:  Ross-shire Journal | 29 October 2012 | www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk ~~

An appeal has gone out to green energy companies to help protect Scotland’s mountains from unsuitable wind farm developments.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has made the plea against the background of mounting opposition to a wind turbine development on the slopes of Ben Wyvis which objectors say will scar an iconic Munro.

The MCofS says it is calling for energy companies that care about the environment to collaborate on plans to protect the most sensitive and precious mountain areas from wind farm developments.

Letters have gone out to many companies attending RenewableUK 2012 at the SECC in Glasgow this week, inviting them to discuss how to harmonise clean energy production with the preservation of Scotland’s natural heritage.

David Gibson, MCofS chief officer, said: “We believe that Scotland could be a pioneer of green energy good practice as well as power generation, but despite this opportunity the Scottish Government is demonstrating a lamentable lack of leadership. Some wind farm proposals are incredibly inappropriate and are leading to the industrialisation of our most beautiful, wild and open mountain landscapes.

“Right now, as companies gather for RenewableUK 2012, a public inquiry is taking place into the truly dreadful Allt Duine scheme to build 31 immense turbines in the heart of the Monadhliadth Mountains, adjacent to the Cairngorms National Park, near Aviemore. We call on the First Minister, Alex Salmond to use his speech at RenewableUK 2012 to make a stand for Scotland’s natural heritage and to condemn industrialisation of this kind.

“VisitScotland recognises that badly sited wind farms will drive visitors away, Scottish Natural Heritage bemoans the cumulative impact they can have on the landscape, and 2013 is billed as the Year of Natural Scotland – yet Mr Salmond has done nothing to protect the mountains that are recognised internationally one of our nation’s greatest assets.

“We believe that there are many in the green energy sector who share our view that Scotland needs a clear national spatial planning policy for onshore wind farms to replace the current failed system. The Scottish Government must also clarify exactly how much electricity they see being generated from onshore wind. By working together we can protect our natural heritage and our tourism industry, while creating greater certainty for developers and their investors.”

The MCofS say there is a serious risk that poor practice in wind farm location will undermine public and investor confidence in the industry itself, which despite the best efforts of some companies, is demonstrating that it cannot regulate itself.

Source:  Ross-shire Journal | 29 October 2012 | www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

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