An influential group of MSPs has dismissed Donald Trump’s claims windfarms would do “tremendous damage” to Scotland’s tourism industry.
Holyrood’s economy, energy and tourism committee, which has just completed a lengthy inquiry into renewable energy targets, said it had received no “robust, empirical evidence” to show developments would deter visitors.
MSPs also endorsed plans to build a “vital” European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre in Aberdeen Bay – a project Mr Trump is opposed to because it would be visible from his golf resort near Balmedie.
A committee report said the facility would “provide an important draw for companies wishing to develop and test devices and will be critical in securing Scotland’s edge in the offshore wind, marine and tidal technologies”.
Mr Trump gave evidence to the committee in April as part of the investigation into whether a target to generate 100% of Scotland’s electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020 was achievable.
He said at the time: “I am an expert on tourism. If you dot your landscape with these horrible, horrible structures, you will do tremendous damage.”
Asked for facts, he told MSPs: “I am the evidence. I am considered a world-class expert in tourism, so when you say ‘where is the evidence?’ – I am the evidence.” Mr Trump has written letters to First Minister Alex Salmond urging him to abandon wind power or risk “destroying” the country.
The report stated: “While some strongly-held localised and anecdotal opinion exists, the committee has seen no empirical evidence which demonstrates that the tourism industry in Scotland will be adversely affected by the wider deployment of renewable energy projects, particularly onshore and offshore wind.”
Responding to the report, the Trump Organisation said the wind experiment had failed in every other part of the world.
“The report, with findings like these, does not inspire confidence and fails entirely to address the costs to the public and impact on tourism, communities and the lives of ordinary people,” added a statement.
“This government cannot be trusted, they will say and do anything to support their political goals.
“The Scottish economy is condemned to suffer a downward spiral if this thinking continues.
“Global investors be warned.”