Wind developments in Caithness should only go ahead with full support of local people, says Green candidate
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Scottish Greens are calling for an expansion of the country's onshore wind industry – while at the same time offering reassurance to those in Caithness who fear they are already being overwhelmed by turbines.
Ariane Burgess, the party's lead candidate for the Highlands and Islands region, insists renewable energy is critical to meeting climate targets and "ensuring our survival". But she wants communities to have a greater say in planning and to take ownership of projects where possible.
And, at a time when some residents in the far north have complained of feeling helpless over the way large-scale onshore wind projects have secured approval despite local opposition, Ms Burgess declared: "Any developments in Caithness should only go ahead with the full support of local people."
The Greens say they want a new deal for Scotland’s wind energy sector to meet future demand for electricity as fossil fuels are phased out. This, they claim, could create hundreds of supply chain jobs in the Highlands and Islands.
The party's manifesto pledges to replace existing turbines with newer, more powerful models and to double the size of the industry. The Greens would also require all contracts to source at least 70 per cent of the onshore wind supply chain from Scottish businesses.
Co-leader Patrick Harvie has said his party aspires to have a role in government and there has been speculation that the Greens could enter a coalition with the SNP, depending on the how the numbers add up after next month's Holyrood election.
Ms Burgess said: “If we are to respond to the climate emergency, we must transition from using oil and gas for heat and transport to using electricity. Renewable energy in the form of onshore wind will play a part in our green recovery. Any developments in Caithness should only go ahead with the full support of local people.
"Developments would take place within a greatly empowered community context, as Scottish Greens want to fund communities to lead plans for their local areas. Local Place Plans are a new tier of community-led development planning that need actioned. We will equip communities with the tools and power to investigate their own development needs and plan their futures.
"We are also aware that there is the need for an increased community organising capacity. We would invest in dedicated community organisers across Scotland to assist people to come together to identify shared priorities, engage with democratic processes, develop skills and capacity, and work together to take collective action.
If there were to be any further onshore wind developments in Caithness, they must be of the right scale and provide direct benefit to the surrounding communities.
"We also want to ensure meaningful public engagement in planning. We will continue to support communities having the right to appeal – but until that happens, we will demand improvements to public engagement at every stage.
"Planning works best when the public and particularly the communities affected are involved from the outset, including, for example, in pre-application discussions. The Greens have long championed greater public engagement in planning and local development planning, and we will always support communities in their opposition to damaging developments.
"If there were to be any further onshore wind developments in Caithness, they must be of the right scale and provide direct benefit to the surrounding communities. Communities should take ownership of projects where possible and discounted energy deals offered to communities.
"Where previous projects have been controversial it is precisely because local people have not felt consulted throughout or listened to when questioning the scale, motivation or environmental impact of the project. Local people have to be at the heart of the transition to renewable energy and building a fairer, greener future that we want for the Highlands."
Ms Burgess added: “Renewable energy is absolutely critical to meeting climate targets and ensuring our survival. Onshore wind already contributes a large amount to Scotland’s energy mix, but it has stagnated under the UK and Scottish governments.
“As we shift to electric transport and heating solutions, the demand will grow and so must the onshore wind sector. That’s why the Scottish Greens are proposing a new deal for wind energy to encourage the sector to upgrade existing turbines and expand.
"We would ensure that the Scottish supply chain is protected, which could create hundreds of jobs for Highland the process. This would be good for the planet, but also for our communities. Scotland can be a leader in renewable energy and Highland could be at the forefront of that, but only if we invest in it."
Related stories:
- Scottish Government ministers don't care about us, says campaigner as new map shows extent of Caithness wind farms
- Growing risk of 21st-century Caithness clearances in wake of Golticlay decision, councillor claims
- 'Dictatorship' claim by Caithness resident after wind farm gets go-ahead from Scottish Government
