Wind farm FAQs
Contents
Q1: How do onshore wind farms impact Scotland's Wild Land Areas and natural assets?
Q2: How can onshore wind farms impact peatlands and their crucial role in carbon sequestration?
Q3: How can the development of taller turbines in forested areas affect biodiversity?
Q4: How does the expansion of onshore wind capacity affect Scotland's wild places?
Q5: How can onshore wind development impact the preservation of ancient woodlands?
Q6: Are onshore wind farms a viable option for achieving Scotland's climate change goals?
Q7: How can repowering existing wind farms contribute to onshore wind capacity without negatively impacting Scotland's wild places?
Q8: What can be done to enhance biodiversity and ecological connectivity within wind farm sites?
Q9: Should there be a sector deal for onshore wind similar to offshore wind?
Q10: Can wind farm developments contribute to protecting and enhancing the natural environment?
Q11: What role does tree planting play in mitigating the impact of wind farm development on habitats?
Q12: Is it possible for wind farm developments to contribute to the restoration of peatlands and overall biodiversity?
Q13: Can onshore wind farms coexist with wildlife habitats and protected areas?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do onshore wind farms impact Scotland's Wild Land Areas and natural assets?
Onshore wind farms can have significant impacts on Scotland's Wild Land Areas and natural assets due to their visual presence and habitat disruption. These areas are characterised by their remote and unspoiled landscapes, hosting a rich diversity of wildlife and ecosystems. The construction and operation of wind farms can alter the landscapes and habitats, potentially threatening biodiversity and the delicate ecological balance.
Wind farms can fragment habitats and increase disturbance to wildlife, leading to potential habitat loss and reduced species diversity. Additionally, the infrastructure required for wind farms, such as access roads and transmission lines, can result in habitat degradation and fragmentation, affecting the movement and behaviour of wildlife species.
Q2: How can onshore wind farms impact peatlands and their crucial role in carbon sequestration?
Onshore wind farms can have detrimental effects on peatlands, which are essential for carbon sequestration. Peatlands are among the world's most important natural carbon stores, capable of storing up to ten times more carbon per hectare than forests. However, constructing wind farms on peatlands can lead to habitat destruction and carbon emissions.
The John Muir Trust raises concerns about the potential drainage of peatlands during wind farm development, which can release stored carbon into the atmosphere. Additionally, the carbon calculator used to assess emissions from wind farm development may underestimate the actual emissions from damaged peatlands. To protect these valuable ecosystems and maximise their carbon sequestration potential, a presumption against large-scale onshore wind development on peatlands is suggested.
Q3: How can the development of taller turbines in forested areas affect biodiversity?
Constructing taller turbines in forested areas can have negative effects on biodiversity. If done carefully, the development may offer opportunities for habitat restoration, such as regenerating native woodland between turbines. On the other hand, taller turbines may lead to habitat fragmentation, impacting wildlife movements and potentially disrupting forest ecosystems.
To ensure the positive impact outweighs the negative, best practice guidance should be followed, considering the site's unique ecology and conducting thorough surveys to inform the turbine placement and management strategies.
Q4: How does the expansion of onshore wind capacity affect Scotland's wild places?
The expansion of onshore wind capacity is part of achieving Scotland's renewable energy targets and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. However, it must be balanced with the protection of Scotland's wild places and Wild Land Areas to ensure sustainable land management and preserve the country's natural heritage.
To minimise the impact of onshore wind farms, careful planning and siting of new wind farms are essential. The Trust emphasises utilising frameworks like the Hagshaw Energy Cluster, which concentrates development in already-managed landscapes with existing infrastructure, minimising the need for new development in wild places. In the context of wind farms, such development frameworks can be used as a mechanism for leveraging public funding and grants to support community projects, such as active travel routes, woodland regeneration and restoration, and enhanced recreational access across an extended network of wind farms.
Q5: How can onshore wind development impact the preservation of ancient woodlands?
Onshore wind development can have adverse effects on the preservation of ancient woodlands, which are irreplaceable ecosystems with unique biodiversity. The Trust stresses the importance of avoiding the removal of ancient woodlands at all costs.
While there may be options for compensatory planting with non-native and fast-growing species, it cannot replace the loss of ancient woodlands' ecological value and history. Therefore, developers should prioritise the preservation of these ancient woodlands by selecting alternative sites that do not involve their destruction.
Q6: Are onshore wind farms a viable option for achieving Scotland's climate change goals?
Onshore wind development has played a vital role in decarbonising Scotland's power sector and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to date. However, achieving Scotland's climate change targets requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond expanding renewable energy capacity.
While onshore wind expansion remains important, the primary gains in reducing emissions come from decarbonising other sectors such as transport, buildings, and agriculture. A holistic approach is essential to achieve Scotland's climate goals and address the interconnected challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Q7: How can repowering existing wind farms contribute to onshore wind capacity without negatively impacting Scotland's wild places?
Repowering existing wind farms offers the potential to increase onshore wind capacity without harming Scotland's wild places. This involves replacing older turbines with taller and more efficient ones, which can generate more electricity. Repowering just 2.5 GW of existing capacity, Scotland could gain an additional 5-7.5 GW of new capacity.
By prioritising repowering in areas where infrastructure already exists and coordinating efforts through energy clusters, we can minimise the need for new developments in wild places. This approach aligns with an "infrastructure first" policy and ensures that Scotland can achieve its renewable energy targets without compromising its precious natural assets.
Q8: What can be done to enhance biodiversity and ecological connectivity within wind farm sites?
Enhancing biodiversity and ecological connectivity within wind farm sites is crucial to mitigate the impact of development on wildlife and habitats. The John Muir Trust proposes several measures to achieve this goal.
First, developers should implement site-wide habitat restoration plans that go beyond piecemeal restoration. Restoration efforts should consider the natural regeneration of native woodland and the creation of space for wildlife to thrive.
Second, connectivity between wind farm sites can be established through land management frameworks, allowing wildlife to move freely and maintain ecological connectivity.
Furthermore, monitoring and reporting on the outcomes of habitat restoration activities are essential to ensure accountability and inform future best practices for enhancing biodiversity and ecological connectivity at onshore wind farm sites.
Q9: Should there be a sector deal for onshore wind similar to offshore wind?
The Scottish Government should consider a sector deal for onshore wind to ensure sustainable land management and biodiversity protection. A sector deal could help enforce compliance with best practices and promote biodiversity net gain at wind farm sites.
Such a deal might include provisions for site-wide habitat restoration, ecological connectivity, and transparent reporting on outcomes. By incorporating these measures, a sector deal for onshore wind could strike a balance between renewable energy expansion and preserving Scotland's natural heritage.
Q10: Can wind farm developments contribute to protecting and enhancing the natural environment?
Wind farm developments offer an opportunity to safeguard and enhance the natural environment through measures like tree planting and peatland restoration. However, the implementation of these measures varies and often falls short of potential benefits. This discrepancy might arise due to a lack of communication between developers and landowners, inadequate enforcement of planning conditions, and the self-regulatory nature of the onshore wind industry.
Q11: What role does tree planting play in mitigating the impact of wind farm development on habitats?
Tree plantation is a crucial strategy to counterbalance habitat loss resulting from wind farm development. Comprehensive site surveys are essential to inform tree species selection, considering factors like soil types, seed availability, and grazing pressure. These surveys can guide decisions on natural regeneration, grazing management, and species selection, promoting the recovery of native woodlands. The importance of enhancing woodland cover is underpinned by the need to reverse biodiversity decline, especially given the UK's position in the lowest 12% globally for biodiversity intactness.
Q12: Is it possible for wind farm developments to contribute to the restoration of peatlands and overall biodiversity?
Wind farm sites dominated by commercial forestry can be optimised for biodiversity by combining non-native re-stocking with native woodland planting. Additionally, the removal of conifer plantations from peatlands can prioritise peatland restoration, fostering nature's recovery and natural carbon storage. Despite the potential benefits, current reporting mechanisms lack accountability, hindering the effective implementation of protection and enhancement measures. The John Muir Trust suggests independent regulation and compliance monitoring, supported by the wind industry, to ensure responsible land management and alignment with Scotland's biodiversity and climate goals.
Q13: Can onshore wind farms coexist with wildlife habitats and protected areas?
Onshore wind farms can coexist with wildlife habitats and protected areas if developed with careful planning and consideration for biodiversity. By following best practice guidance and conducting comprehensive surveys, developers can identify suitable sites that minimise impacts on sensitive habitats and wildlife. Avoiding development in designated protected areas, such as National Parks and National Scenic Areas, is a critical step to protect Scotland's natural treasures while meeting renewable energy targets.