Highlands beauty spot at risk of being overwhelmed by 'mega' turbines taller than Arthur's Seat
Campaigners say the proposed turbines are unnecessary and could impact on world-class peatland and biodiversity.
A beauty spot in the Highlands could soon be surrounded by over 200 “mega” wind turbines as tall as Arthur’s Seat.
Energy giants are hoping to build 231 wind turbines in the Kyle of Sutherland, which would leave residents in villages such as Rosehall, Altass and Brae surrounded by giant infrastructure.
German company EnergieKontor wants to build 13 of these turbines, which at 250metres tall would be among the highest onshore turbines in Scotland .
If the proposal is approved, the wind farm would generate the same amount of energy as the Sizewell B nuclear power station.
However campaigners say they are unnecessary, could damage one of the most scenic and biodiverse areas in Scotland, and could lead to a modern-day Highland clearances.
There are already 38 existing turbines in the area operated by SSE Renewables and RWE, with plans for a further 11 wind farm developments in the future.
The No Ring of Steel Kyle of Sutherland group says Scotland already has enough wind farms capable of powering millions of households several times over, and around £1.2 billion of taxpayers’ money is paid out to energy operators because they need to shut down production due to a lack of energy grid capacity.
The group also says the Kyle of Sutherland and the nearby River Oykel are listed as special areas of conservation and is one of the largest and most intact areas of peatland in the world. They say the area is already overwhelmed by the sheer number of energy developments and any further developments could impact endangered species.
Tisi Dutton, a spokesperson for No Ring of Steel Kyle of Sutherland, said: “With several windfarms already in operation, the area is already contributing its fair share towards Scotland's renewable energy targets.
“Given the likely effect on the community and local employment, the enormous scale of these new developments will threaten to drive people out of their homes in a modern-day version of the Highland clearances.
“The large number of wind farms, with 250m turbines, being planned for the River Oykel and Kyle of Sutherland area is totally out of step for such a biodiverse, scenic and rural location.
“The fate of local communities is at stake and people’s everyday way of life is under serious threat.
“The Scottish Government’s own national planning framework aims to ensure ‘the right development happens in the right place’, but this is not happening in Sutherland.
“The developments also fly in the face of the Scottish Government’s updated net zero plan, which includes plans to accelerate peatland restoration. Many of these wind farm developments will actually be sited on precious peatlands.
“The governments of Holyrood and Westminster are driving ahead with their renewable energy plans without a second thought for communities and biodiversity.”
The campaigners say Highland Council is already overwhelmed by the number of new energy developments, as consent has been given for 37 turbines, there is another 156 in the scoping or planning stage, and plans for six battery storage sites and 18 hectares of solar panels.
The surge in applications comes as councillors on Highland Council are due to approve next week plans from SSEN Transmission for large-scale sub -station at Bonar Bridge, which will support the proposed upgrade of the Spittal to Beauly powerline, which will have increased capacity for renewable energy transmission.
The Scottish Government said it could not comment on a live planning application. Highland Council has been approached for comment.
A spokesman forEnergieKontor has also been approached.
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