Scotland Cutting Windfarm 'Red-Tape'

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) -- Scotland is trying to speed up the rollout of new windfarms by introducing new guidance for windfarm applications.

The government is determined that Scotland's strong position in the rollout of renewable energy projects does not slow down and said the new guidelines are designed to make wind energy projects 'run more smoothly for developers, planning authorities and the communities affected'.

Developed by the Good Practice Wind Project, a group funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union (E.U.), the new guidelines set out best practice methods from across Europe. The group looked at the key barriers to development before setting out ways of reconciling renewable energy objectives with environmental concerns. A key part of the process will be actively involving communities in the planning process from the start. The new guidelines involved input from many interested groups ranging from environmental groups like the RSPB AScotland to energy companies including Scottish and Southern Energy plc (PINK:SSEZY) (SSE) (Perth) and Scottish Power Renewables.

A new Onshore Wind Taskforce has also been formed to look at ways to improve the planning consent process for onshore wind, which typically has a harder time getting permission than offshore projects. The new guidelines and taskforce may help smooth the path for SSE's recent proposal to build a 26 turbine onshore windfarm in Glencassley, northwest of Lairg in the Scottish Highlands. The windfarm, which will have a generation capacity of 78-megawatts (MW), has already been almost halved in size to help overcome objections to the windfarm's location. For additional information, see related August, 2012, article - SSE Lines Up New Scottish Windfarm.

"I'm delighted to launch these materials, developed with industry, planning authorities and stakeholders, which aim to make the planning process for wind developments go more smoothly for everyone involved," explained Scottish Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing. "The Scottish Government wants to see the right developments in the right places, and this guidance will help to ensure that -- while also making sure there are fewer unsuitable applications and that communities are properly consulted and informed. We have set an ambitious, but achievable, renewable energy target and we are determined to ensure that communities all over Scotland benefit from our renewable energy revolution, which is already bringing jobs and investment."

David Gardner, Director of SSE Renewables (onshore), added: "Many other countries across Europe will benefit from Scotland demonstrating a leading role in delivering good practice in renewable energy development, but we can always learn to do better, and sharing good practice across the industry in this way is a very positive step."

The Scottish Government is aiming to generate 100% of Scotland's electricity from renewables by 2020, the majority of which will come from wind power.

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