The Holyrood government ditched plans for a porpoise conservation area in the Moray Firth after months of lobbying by wind energy companies. Documents released under freedom of information rules show that Perth-based SSE and EDP Renewables, the Spanish company, warned ministers that a zone would jeopardise plans for wind farms off the northeast coast, arguing that environmental restrictions could cause investors to pull out. The Scottish government ruled out siting a special conservation area (SAC) in the Moray Firth last December and instead proposed a large area off the west coast for porpoise protection.
Times 4th July 2016 read more »
The UK offshore wind industry – already badly bruised by British govt. subsidy changes – is facing further uncertainty after the referendum vote in favour of British Independence from the EU-bloc, with investors worried about future government incentives, exchange rates and export duties. Portugal’s Energias de Portugal-EDP said it could delay its Moray Firth offshore wind energy project in Scotland, while German engineering giant Siemens said it was reconsidering plans for an expansion of its planned manufacturing plant in the port of Hull in north east England. Richard Slark, director at energy consultancy Poyry, told Reuters:”I believe we are looking at a two to three-year hiatus in those large-scale energy projects where financing would be international.”
Scottish Energy News 4th July 2016 read more »