American businessman Donald Trump has stepped up his campaign againsta proposal to develop an offshore windfarm near Aberdeen.
Mr Trump – who is opposed to the 11 wind turbines planned for Aberdeen Bay, near his golf resort on the Menie Estate – has already agreed to fund campaign group Communities against Turbines Scotland (Cats) for marketing and public relations.
He has now bankrolled a national advertising campaign, including an advertisement in today’s Press and Journal.
Mr Trump will be in Scotland on April 25 to speak to a Holyrood committee conducting a renewable energy inquiry.
But he will not be meeting First Minister Alex Salmond during his visit.
Mr Trump’s right-hand man, George Sorial, said yesterday that Mr Trump saw “no benefit” in meeting the first minister.
“This is an area of policy where we completely disagree,” he said. “We feel he is putting Scotland in dangerous territory by destroying some of its most pristine natural assets.”
Mr Sorial pointed out that Royal Aberdeen Golf Club had also objected to the 639ft turbines at the £200million European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. “People have been playing golf at Royal Aberdeen since the 18th century,” he said.
“It is one of the most cherished links courses in the world.”
Mr Sorial claimed the government was “gambling on technology that has failed everywhere else it has been implemented”.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Mr Trump is coming to give evidence to a parliamentary committee. He has not requested a meeting with the first minister or any minister, and no meeting is due to take place.
“Scotland has massive green energy potential, including a quarter of Europe’s tidal and offshore wind potential, and we have a responsibility to ensure Scotland benefits.
“We welcome the widest possible debate on how developing our clean, green energy resources is bringing investment, industry and jobs to communities across Scotland.”
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