The number of wind turbines in Scotland has been growing by at least one a day in the last four years. There are now a total of 3,400 onshore turbines, up from just 1,657 in 2012. That is an increase of 1,743 – an average of more than one new turbine every day. And an additional 1,547 have planning approval, many of them now under construction. The figures were released by the Scottish Government as it emerged energy companies were paid almost £5.5 million to switch off their turbines in Scotland for one day this summer. The firms received the cash via “constraint” payments after their stations managed to produce more electricity than Scotland needed over a 24-hour period in August. The situation has brought into sharp focus the continuing divisions that surround wind farms. While many environmental groups support the development of turbines to meet the country’s power needs, there are many who feel the proliferation has spun out of control. Last year, local communities in England were given new powers to veto wind farms. All onshore wind farm applications are dealt with at local level, rather than national authorities dealing with the biggest projects.
Scotsman 5th Sept 2016 read more »