I always thought that wind turbines were a great source for clean and renewable energy . They definitely reduced global warming by replacing fossil-fuel-derived electricity. Besides I thought areas under wind farms could be used for farming and be protected from further development. But this form of energy renewal does have pitfalls.
Tall wind turbines can be death traps for birds. Often picturesque sites can get ruined by these rows of artificial structures. That is why their was much opposition to the The £500m proposed development for the Hebridean island of Lewis by conservation groups and anti-wind farm campaigners. The proposed turbines on Lewis are to be e 140m (460ft) high.
UK’s largest onshore wind farm project which has been proposed for the Hebridean island of Lewis has been revamped to cater to conservationists, how far it does that is yet to be seen. The revised plan comprises 181 wind turbines (652MW) instead of 234 wind turbines(702MW).
Stuart Housden of RSPB Scotland says:
It is hard to imagine that all this can be delivered without having some significant level of impact on such an important environmental area
Hebridean island of Lewis comes under a peat land that is protected under EU conservation law. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) would be willing to take the matter to Europe if necessary.
Despite receiving more than 4,000 objections, the original proposal was supported by the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar(Western Isles Council) on the basis that the developer, Lewis Wind Power, would look again at the positions of 25 proposed wind turbines. The revised plan deletes 21 turbines of these 25 turbines and removes other 32.
The developers also claim that the project will provide some 400 jobs during the manufacturing phase, with more once the wind farm is operational. Communities will also receive payments, some of which can be exchanged for a stake in the wind farm.
Alasdair Morrison, MSP for the Western Isles said
he had no doubt that the proposals will play an important role in the future prosperity of the Outer Hebrides.
An interconnector (cable capable of transferring power from the wind farm to the mainland) will be used to turn turning Lewis into a centre for alternative energy. That energy will be further used to get wave and tidal power.
Calum Ian McIver, head of economic development for the councilsays:
This is the next wave - what people are referring to as blue power
Prosperity for which the cost will be too much. So what would you choose renewable energy on the one hand or protection of birds on the other? Picturesque backdrops or eyesores?
Via: BBC
