Isle of Lewis Windfarm

Excellent news.

That is 181 less of these pointless things. 

Back of the net.

I may be wrong, but I think that the the new Nuclear power stations will be built on the sites of existing de-comissioned stations.

A far better alternative is Hydro-electricity.

It hasn't been denied yet, just one of these pre-release news items:

The BBC's Gaelic news service, Radio nan Gaidheal, has learned that Scottish Government ministers are "minded to refuse" the 181 turbine scheme.

No doubt the item will be firmed up shortly. I'd hate to lose the view from my old bedroom window because some people in cities can't be bothered turning off their televisions at night

Of course, if the companies sell out to Donald Trump... hmm

True, Pete. Very true. They have a lot of money that they can make...oh, and the "environment to save" (with a sideline in destroying rural habitats). Hey ho. As it was, as it will be.

Yep, great news for Harris and Lewis. I have to agree with Richard Roworth on hydro power, providing the dams are sensitively designed and well landscaped then a hydro power station providing vast amounts of clean reliable enery will just look like another lochan, whereas a wind farm can dominate and ruin the skyline for tens of miles.

We should all write to congratulate the Scot Exec on their excellent decision

I've heard a lot about birds being killed by windfarms, but never seen any figures.

Until 2 months ago, I lived at the foot of a hill upon which were 10 large turbines. Personally, I don't mind wind turbines per se, and the ones above our village actually provided something to, well, go to. We used to regulalry go for walks or bike rides 'up to the windmills'. It would just be a bleak, windswept, featureless moor without them, and I doubt we'd have gone up there as often if they weren't there, which would be a shame, cos it's a great spot for seeing all kinds of wildlife.

Anyhoo, I would say that on average my girlfriend and I would go up there once a week. Its the kind of turbine site that you can walk around, and go up and touch the turbines if you so desire, so you can get right amongst them. The point is, having gone up there once a week for over 2 years I never once saw any evidence of dead birds. And there are plenty of birds around there, so it's not like it's devoid of birdlife anyway.

Not saying that birds aren't killed by them, just that I never personally saw any evidence at 'our' site.

As an aside, it's quite exhilirating to stand right beneath the blades on a windy day and look up at them as the sweep down towards you at great speed. Seems like they're only inches above your head...

181 turbines on Lewis certainly seems a bit excessive though...

Im always amazed at how these companies have unlimited resources for appeals and legal representation, Yet mention burying power lines underground instead of overhead and suddenly the coffers are empty.

Money talks, Bazza.

BTW, here's the current statement from ScotGov (source) :

-- 

The Lewis wind farm application is currently under consideration by Scottish Ministers.

No final decision has yet been taken and Ministers are working towards finalising and announcing a decision in the near future.

-- 

The ScotGov have granted approval to extend an existing Wind Factory near Banchory (source). In the release, Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "Granting consent for this increase in capacity at Mid Hill is another step towards fulfilling Scotland's green energy potential. Already, the installed capacity of renewable energy has overtaken nuclear power." 

Wow. I look forward to a decrease in my utility bills shortly. But I've a funny feeling that it doesn't work like that.

Im always amazed at how these companies have unlimited resources for appeals and legal representation, Yet mention burying power lines underground instead of overhead and suddenly the coffers are empty.

Either that or they can't be arsed to clear up the mess afterwards, as in the Brecon Beacons.

In this instance Kate I think the BBNP executive are being a little unfair on National Power.

The progress of the contract was severely delayed by the protests that took place meaning that the restoration of the later end of the pipeline had to be delayed due to the winter weather. The machinery would make more of a mess than the original restoration work.

Having flown over nearly the whole length of the pipeline, the one striking feature is that where the restoration work has taken place, you would never know it had been disturbed in the first place.

The BBNP need to display a little patience in this case, the developers have promised it will eventually be done when the weather/time f season is more conducive to such work!

Hillfoots Bazza wrote (see)

Yet mention burying power lines underground instead of overhead and suddenly the coffers are empty.

Now theres a thought, if the massive wind power developement on Lewis gets the thumbs down, will that end the need for the mega pylons through the Cairngorms national park, re beauly denny link? ... hope so

A turbine in Cumbria collapsed at the beginning of the month.

And another came down in Argyll back in November.

Cripes!!  Still, the possibility just makes it all the more exciting!!