The Herald (Scotland) 07/04/2005

© 2005, Newsquest Media Group

Green group's blow to massive windfarm


GREENPEACE, a long-time supporter of renewable energy, is to oppose plans for the largest windfarm in Europe.

The Lewis project would transform acres of moorland into a massive wind park. However, the environmental organisation, which has made a virtue of wind and wave power, became the latest, and one of the most unlikely, objectors, expressing fears for local birds.

Representatives for the developers, Lewis Wind Power, were said to be stunned by the revelation after it emerged at a public meeting in Stornoway late on Tuesday night.

Simon Reddy, Greenpeace's policy director, said the island scheme was "being led by money rather than the needs of the environment". He said Greenpeace would submit a formal objection to the Scottish Executive.

While stressing the organisation's support for windfarms in principle, Mr. Reddy said concern for endangered bird populations, particularly golden eagles and plovers, and the lack of green energy infrastructure in Scotland meant it was impossible for it to back the current proposals.

Stephen Tindale, director of Greenpeace UK, said it backed wind energy but "we would like to see a whole series of windfarms in Lewis: that's where we part company with other objectors . . . we cannot support the existing proposals because we just don't know enough about its potential impact on the bird population".

Greenpeace is recommending phasing in smaller farms.

Other protesters include more than 2000 islanders, the RSPB (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), and Scottish Natural Heritage. The fear is the windfarm will threaten wildlife and be an eyesore.

If given the go-ahead, the wind park could vastly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, meeting around 6-per cent of the UK government's renewable energy targets and 39-per cent of Scottish targets.

Under the name Lewis Wind Power, AMEC and British Energy have applied for 234 giant turbines, each over 400ft high, the tallest in Europe. The project would create around 1000 jobs, mainly in construction, as well as earning islanders millions of pounds in community payouts from part of the electricity generated.

John Price, project director for Lewis Wind Power, hinted that the number of turbines could be reduced, provided the project remained viable.

The executive said ministers would decide whether to call for a public inquiry in June, when the consultation process is expected to end.