Finance Secretary John Swinney has claimed that a public perception that all windfarm applications are approved is a “myth”.
He said 68% of 192 of turbine appeals examined by the Scottish Government between May 2007 and August 2013 were refused consent.
The SNP minister told a public meeting in Hawick yesterday that every single application was considered on its own merits.
Last week the Conservatives accused the government of trying to “bully” councils into approving plans for windfarms.
Local authorities have been given an extra £725,000 to help staff cope with the high volume of planning applications.
Moray Council, which failed in an attempt to secure a moratorium on turbine decision-making, has been given £52,000.
Aberdeenshire Council was given £75,000 and Highland and Argyll and Bute councils a combined sum of £65,000.
Orkney and Western Isles councils have been awarded £50,000 and £63,000 respectively.
Aberdeenshire Council leader Jim Gifford recently claimed the number of applications was pushing local authorities to the brink.
He said that guidelines were used in the determination of planning applications but there was a presumption they would be approved unless there was good reason not to.
Highlighting the appeal figures, Mr Swinney said: “A myth has grown up that everything gets the go ahead.
“However those statistics speak for themselves as many applications are turned down.
“The government’s approach is to essentially ensure that every single application is considered on its merits.
“It must be tested to a rigorous level of standards to assess the impact on locality, countryside and to determine the suitability of the sites and access issues.”
Mr Swinney said he appreciated the “sensitivities” around windfarms but insisted all applications were given a very detailed level of scrutiny, particularly at local public inquiries.
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