Windfarms

Community cash for hosting wind farms branded ‘inconsistent’ by MSPs

Communities are often being left with just the “crumbs off the table” if they do not strike a hard bargain to host windfarms, MSPs warned yesterday.

Communities “missing out” on millions of pounds from windfarms

Communities across the north and north-east could be missing out on millions of pounds because windfarm developers are trying to “wriggle out” of their commitments, it was claimed yesterday.

Council ‘snubbed’ over windfarm benefits

Council chiefs have accused Scottish Government ministers of ignoring their pleas for help to secure Highland a fairer share of massive profits from green energy schemes.

Environmentalists accused of “cherry picking” official data on wind and solar power

Windfarm watchers in the north have accused environmentalists of spinning the facts about the "extraordinary" success of recent green energy production.

Floodgates open for new wind farm rush across the north?

Campaigners fear the Highland landscape could be blighted with dozens of new windfarms after a radical review of council planning policy.

‘Almost impossible to find a mountain without windfarm view’

It is now "almost impossible" to find a mountain from which a wind farm cannot be seen, according to a senior mountaineering figure.

Onshore wind supporting a thriving supply chain of businesses across Scotland

Renewables like wind, hydro and biomass are the country's largest source of power.

Windfarms in the wrong places can damage both local economies and the planet

The 10-year goldrush of wind developments has begun to fundamentally change the landscape of the north of Scotland.

Windfarm plans blown off course after world heritage vision for Flow Country not included in planning report

Two wind projects planned for the Highlands were blown off course yesterday by councillors.

Have your say on windfarm developments in the Highlands

People are being urged to contribute to council surveys on windfarm development in Caithness and the Black Isle.

Windfarm campaigner hopes new book will take-out the industry spin

A Highland anti-windfarm campaigner who has had enough of "industry spin" hopes her new book about turbines will be allowed into schools to bring some balance to the debate.

Councillors get tough on roads, demanding companies foot bill for repairs

Councillor steps up north of Scotland power row

A north politician has urged critics to "kick the grid, not the windfarmers" over vast penalties regularly incurred by electricity customers.

‘Carnage’ warning for Loch Ness

A furious row erupted last night after Highland councillors approved a new document that campaigners say opens the door to more wind turbines around Loch Ness.

Record penalty for electricity customers

Windfarm operators have been paid a record-breaking £3.1million - for turning off their turbines for a single day.

New windfarm report claims nearby tourism has flourished

A row has erupted after a new report claimed to prove that tourism has flourished in areas with windfarms.

More turbines planned for NC500 route

Another major windfarm is being planned along the North Coast 500 tourist route.

Highland windfarm operators have received £52million…. for switching turbines off

Windfarm operators across the north have raked-in a staggering £52million over the past five years - for switching their turbines off.

Green energy targets missed in both England and Scotland

Academics have clashed with politicians and developers over the amount of power generated by windfarms, as green energy targets are missed on both sides of the border.

Windfarm survey shows people turning away from turbines

About 500 people responded to the Stag survey, which asked questions about the impact of windfarms on accommodation, the attractiveness of the Highlands and the effect of buffer zones.

Tourists turn away from Highlands because of turbines

Campaigners have carried out a new survey which they claim shows visitors are turning away from the Highlands because of the growing number of in the region.

Government pledge to windfarm campaigners

The Scottish Government last night promised to contact activists who want a "summit for communities" to openly debate windfarms with Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.

“Windfarm wake” for Ewing

A leading Highland anti windfarm campaigner has branded a Scottish Government emergency summit about onshore windfarms “a wake”, to mourn the end of massive public subsidies.

Campaigners condemn Fergus Ewing energy summit

The SNP Government is obsessed with lining the pockets of foreign windfarm developers, according to campaigners who have condemned a summit planned for today, hosted by Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.

Drama at Highland windfarm event as man is allegedly assaulted by security staff

Police were called to a north windfarm exhibition yesterday after a member of the public claimed he was assaulted by security staff brought in to prevent trouble.

Highland business group chief expresses “huge concern” over windfarm subsidy decision

Scottish Government to have say on windfarm subsidy reforms

The Scottish Government will be consulted before any changes are made to plans to end the onshore windfarm subsidy regime.

Holyrood agrees to examine call for action to protect Highland landscape from industrialisation

An influential group of MSPs is to probe claims that one of the north's most magnificent landscapes is being turned into a huge "industrial complex".

Highland Council faces financial black hole over turbines

Highland Council is facing a financial black hole over windfarm applications after it emerged that the fees collected from developers have virtually been wiped out fighting costly planning battles over the most controversial bids.

Plans for Aberdeenshire windfarm rejected for fears of “landscape of turbines”

Plans for a north-east windfarm were rejected by councillors yesterday, on the grounds they would contribute to a "landscape of turbines".