Wind power project rejected

What would have been one of the biggest wind farms in Europe is now out of the question after Scottish ministers objected to the five hundred million pound project arguing that it would negatively impact on a vital ecosystem.

Jim Mather, the Minister of Energy in Scotland commented that the wind farm project would have adversely affected the rare and endangered birds inhabiting the peatlands contrary to the habitats legislation of the European Union.

The objection to the plans by British Energy and Amec was welcomed by environmental activists as well as by the local opponents. Close to eleven thousand islanders had opposed the project which had received support from the Western Isles council and main community trust on the Island.

Dina Murray, a crofter admitted that he was delighted that the plan to put up a wind farm in the area had been defeated arguing that the peatlands were invaluable and worth much more than any wind power project.

The Minister of Energy however defended his Scottish National party administration in Edinburgh saying that opposing the wind farm did not translate to mean that they objected to wind power projects in the Western Isles adding that the government would continue supporting the generation of power from renewable sources.

The Scottish National Party had consented to thirteen new projects since May 2007 and was considering some thirty five more wind and hydropower project applications. Together with the existing projects these could generate power that would be sufficient for all households in Scotland.

www.british-energy.com