SCOTLAND’S 32 councils are to be given new planning advice about the siting of windfarms.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will advise local authorities on plans to identify preferred areas for renewable schemes rather than considering applications on their own merits.
Demand to erect onshore and offshore installations is high in order to meet a Scottish Government target to generate 100% of electricity from renewables in nine years.
News of the guidance, which will be issued this month, follows the publication of two reports which offer opposing views on the benefits of windfarms. The Adam Smith Institute and Scientific Alliance said developments were unreliable and would never replace gas, coal and nuclear energy.
Think-tank Reform Scotland claimed the country could earn £2billion a year exporting electricity if energy policy is fully devolved.
An SNH spokesman said: “There is new guidance coming out related to accumulative impact of windfarms and small developments of up to three turbines.
“It is on how to manage that process, getting a more consistent approach across the country and advising planners when they don’t have to contact us.
“It is designed to make the process easier and make sure we get the right developments in the right areas.
“There is a lot of demand and we don’t want to slow industry, we want to be as helpful as we can.”
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP Rob Gibson welcomed the Reform Scotland report.
“This is a fantastic report that proves Scotland has a competitive advantage in many forms of energy technologies,” he said.
“It is encouraging to see support for the SNP’s policy of phasing out nuclear power stations and invest in new forms of energy production.
“This report recognises Scotland’s potential and the UK Government must devolve full energy policy.”
Liberal Democrat energy spokesman and Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said: “The targets are challenging, but they are also achievable and in Scotland’s long-term interests economically, environmentally and socially.”
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland has huge potential for renewables. It has enormous wealth in its people, geography and natural resources. It would be a criminal waste not to take advantage of it. As well as skills and expertise, we have a quarter of Europe’s tidal and offshore wind potential and a 10th of its wave power.”
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