Scotland’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has welcomed the Scot-Govt. approval for the new 69-megawatt Dersalloch windfarm in South Ayrshire and the extension to Clyde Valley wind farm, adding 171-megawatts of capacity to the SSE operated factory in Lanarkshire.
The total capacity of the extended Clyde windfarm will be over 500MW, making it one of the largest wind schemes in Europe.
Both schemes have some potential to affect bird species but the careful management of wildlife habitats on and near to the sites should enable the windfarms to generate significant amounts of renewable energy and avoid harming wildlife.
Aedán Smith, Head of Planning and Development for RSPB Scotland, said: “We welcome Scottish Government’s approval of these schemes, which will help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change and already affecting wildlife across the world.
“There are a number of challenges to resolve on these sites to ensure that they can be built and operated without harming wildlife. However, with careful planning, and a significant commitment and effort from the developers toward habitat management, it will be possible for these sites to generate much needed renewable energy and result in some benefit for wildlife.
“However, these sites are in stark contrast to the site currently proposed by SSE at Strathy South for the heart of the Flow Country peatlands in Sutherland, where the habitat is so sensitive that it is just not possible to accommodate this type of development without major environmental harm.
“We hope that SSE will soon abandon their plans for Strathy South.”
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