Scottish Wind Farm Hopes Dashed

Scottish ministers have refused planning permission for a large wind farm on the Isle of Lewis proposed by nuclear company British Energy and engineering company Amec, due to environmental concerns.

The developers, Lewis Wind Power, says the Barvas Moor project could supply up to a fifth of Scotland with clean electricity, but concerns by ministers over the impact on local wildlife have halted plans for the wind farm.

The wind farm would have had up to 181 wind turbines with a potential installed capacity of over 650MW of electricity.

Scottish ministers decided the project would have a serious impact on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, designated under the European Commission Birds Directive and protected under its Habitats Directive.

By staff writer