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Public Inquiry Re-Opened for Fallago Rig Proposal

Further to the recent new evidence supplied by the Ministry of Defence regarding the Fallago Rig wind farm, the Public Local Inquiry into the proposal will be re-opened to discuss the Ministry of Defence evidence on the issue of radar interference. The case has now been passed to the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA), who will conduct the re-opened Inquiry on the behalf of Scottish Ministers.

Kilbraur Wind Farm Extension approved

14/09/2009

A new wind farm in Sutherland has been given approval to extend.

The eight turbine extension to the Kilbraur wind farm near Golspie will increase capacity from 47.5 Megawatts (MW) to 67.5 Megawatts.

When fully operational, the wind farm will provide electricity for around 31,000 homes.

The extension will create around 30 jobs during construction.

Speaking at the Sutherland Summit in Lairg, Energy Minister Jim Mather said:

"Renewable energy is driving Scotland's economic recovery. The Kilbraur wind farm will provide construction jobs, green energy, reduced emissions and lasting community benefits - a model of the low carbon opportunities we can exploit for economic and environmental benefit.

"There is a vast renewables potential here, especially in the power of the Pentland Firth. Along with a lasting infrastructure and skills base from Dounreay, I am today discussing what more we can do to create and maintain lasting opportunities for the north Highland economy."

The consent document and decision letter can be found here.

Scottish Government's policy on control of woodland removal

Internationally there is now a strong presumption against deforestation (which accounts for 18% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions). Reflecting this, in June 2008 Scottish Ministers approved a policy on control of woodland removal which seeks to protect the existing forest resource in Scotland, and supports woodland removal (deforestation) only where it would achieve significant and clearly defined additional public benefits. In some cases, including those associated with development, a proposal for compensatory planting may form part of this balance.

For Section 36 projects (projects over 50MW) which had Consent applications submitted prior to 1 September 2008, FCS will not request application of the policy. However FCS would still encourage developers to give voluntary consideration to the use of appropriate woodland management options (such as low intensity, low height woodland) that might reduce or avoid the need for woodland removal and hence enhance the carbon, biodiversity and landscape potential of their proposals.

For Section 36 Consent applications which were submitted to Scottish Ministers after 1 September 2008 but before 1st Sept 2009, FCS and the SG Consents team will, where appropriate, work with developers to agree how this policy might be best adopted within the application. [However, where Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) or statutory consultees did not raise objections or legitimate concerns about deforestation at the time of the Section 36 consents application, and where the time has now passed for comment, application of the policy will not be sought, although the developer may, of course, choose to apply it voluntarily].

From 1st Sept 2009 the policy applies to all new Consents applications or schemes submitted for scoping of Section 36 projects.

Wind farm boost for low carbon Scotland

07/07/2009

Two wind farm developments that will supply green energy to around 43,000 more homes have been approved.

The 29 turbine Berry Burn wind farm, on the Altyre Estate near Forres, will have a capacity of 78 Megawatts (MW).

The six turbine extension to the 20 turbine Millennium wind farm near Fort Augustus will increase the capacity by 15 MW to 65 MW.

Combined, the schemes will employ around 100 people during construction and provide five full time jobs

The documents relating to the consent of Berry Burn wind farm and the Millennium extension can be found on the Scottish Government website.

New evidence available on Fallago Wind Farm proposal

The Public Inquiry into the proposed Fallago Rig wind farm in the Scottish Borders Council area was held in February 2008. In October 2008 Scottish Ministers were made aware of potential new evidence that should be considered prior to any determination and wrote to North British Wind Power and the Ministry of Defence giving both parties the opportunity to supply new evidence. The Ministry of Defence withdrew their objection to the proposal on 15 July 2009 and submitted evidence to support this change in position. This evidence has been provided to all those who appeared at the Inquiry and they have been afforded 3 weeks in which to make representations on the new evidence or to request the re-opening of the Inquiry based on this new evidence.

The Ministry of Defence's new evidence can be found at this link.

Subsequently, North British Wind Power have also submitted a revision to their proposal. Information on this revision can be found at this link.

Any representations can be made by email to energyconsents@scotland.gsi.gov.uk, or by completing the Support/Object form.

UK Government's Renewable Energy Deployment Environmental Issues Project Board

15/07/2009

The Scottish Government is working with the UK government to develop understanding and solutions that will enable more effective management of the environmental issues related to the deployment of renewable energy in the UK. This work through the Renewable Energy Deployment and Environmental Issues Project Board will help the UK and Scotland meet its commitments under the EU Renewable Energy Directive, and to do so in an environmentally sustainable way.

The project will also identify ways of improving the application of environmental legislation to meet renewable energy targets at the project level and identifying the resources required to do so.

The full statement can be read at this link.