Strathearn councillor attacks Scotland's 'mad dash for wind power'
The relentless pressure to identify new sites for windfarm developments has been described as ''economic and environmental folly'' by a Perthshire councillor.
- Published in the Courier : 13.02.12
- Published online : 13.02.12 @ 04.12pm
Ann Cowan, whose ward is in Strathearn, has thrown her weight behind objections to a windfarm at Mull Hill and attacked the Government's ''mad dash for wind power''.
''The UK boasts 3,538 wind turbines, over half of them in Scotland, and a further 800 have been approved and will be erected in 2012,'' said Mrs Cowan, who lives at Fowlis Wester.
''Doubtless many more will follow. For what purpose do we cause the desecration of the beautiful mountains and hills we all love by installing ugly roads, industrial giant turbines, and yet more electricity pylons?
''Figures show that on average wind turbines worked at less than a quarter of their capacity over the last two years.
''From my house I see rows of turbines on the Ochil Hills, and during the last few mornings of cold but windless weather I could observe that none were working.
''The Scottish Government is making a made dash for wind power, indeed their (unsustainable) aim is to make Scotland 100% reliant on renewables, with wind power being the main contribution. The cost for this is paid by us all, resulting in electricity bills rising remorselessly.
''The huge profits now being made by windfarm operators go into the pockets of landowners and power companies. This is madness when so many families in Scotland are already in fuel poverty and our industry is struggling. It is the quickest way for the poor to stay poor and the rich to get richer.
''It is time to pause and think again. I will be among the objectors to the recent application for a windfarm on Mull Hill, better known to local people as Connachan Farm, situated between Gilmerton and the Sma' Glen.
''But what really needs to happen is for the Government policy to change, and until that happens I will continue to fight against this economic and environmental folly.''
The developers, Force 9 Energy and Abercairney Estates, claim the nine-turbine proposal — which replaces previous plans for 24 turbines — could generate enough power for 11,300 homes.
A community fund would be set up, which could inject more than £1.9 million into the local community over the project's planned 25-year lifetime.
A public exhibition was held in Crieff to outline the plans and Force 9 claim that the majority of the feedback they have received is positive and supportive of the proposal.
There will be a chance for people to air their views at a meeting in the village hall in Fowlis Wester on Tuesday, at 7pm, organised by the local community council.
The developer and the objectors will both be represented, and Professor Iain MacLeod and Murdo Fraser MSP are speaking for the objectors.
09.25pm - 13.02.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
indeed their(unsustainable)aim to make Scotland reliant on renewables. Some say the aim is for Scotland to achieve sufficency in renewable energy. surely no bad thing with an ever growing worldwide appetite for fuel.Cllr Cowan must remember the 3 day week in the 70's when electricity was rationed.
11.07pm - 13.02.2012 Robert L.Turner - by Crieff, Perthshire Report This
Cllr Cowan is absolutely correct in saying this is a mad rush for power from wind when it is well known that the power obtained would only be intermittent at best and our hills would be spoilt for many generations to come.
08.52am - 14.02.2012 No to Wind - Lochgelly, Scotland Report This
There is other more reliable forms of renewable energy with less impacts on the environment. Invest in renewables but make sure that the investment is into a technology that has been subjected to the scientific method and can be proven to work. Wind energy will never work with the current technology
10.53am - 14.02.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
I'll admit both sides of the wind arguement could blind me with science but I do get a bit ticked off with the hypochrisy element regarding the visual impact,as my local authority rubs it's hands in glee at the prospect of turning much of the outskirts of Perth into commuterville.Ugly roads eh
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