The Newton Stewart and Wigtown Member Pioneer: Draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy

Offshore Wind Energy for SW1?

I went along to the meeting last night about the Draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy. You can read the Offshore wind energy: draft sectoral marine plan for yourself here. The Plan aims to identify the most sustainable plan options for the future development of commercial-scale offshore wind energy in Scotland.

At this stage Marine Scotland are looking at potential sites that may be good to places to lease the seabed to wind farm developers.

Apparently 7 years ago they looked at SW1 and area of sea that would affect our neck of the woods (or waves) and the overwhelming response from the residents was that they didn't want offshore wind turbines in SW1. (SW1 is South West 1 - the kite shaped area just off the Mull of Galloway)

Map of Proposed Offshore Wind Energy Sites

There were about 30 local folk at the meeting and I had gone along to the meeting thinking it might be a good idea; afterall we do need green energy.

However, after closely following the presentation and following debate it turns out that turbines in SW1 is the site, of all the proposed sites, that would suffer the most social and economical impact.

Some fishermen that were there were explaining that even though the turbine companies say that you can fish near the turbines, in reality they couldn't because they would be sued for any accidental damage their boats in strong winds and tidal waters might cause to the turbines. They were saying it just wasn't worth the risk to fish near them and that that site would therefore close down fishing on commercial and a recreational bases.

It also looks as though the turbines (which would be much bigger than the one on the way to Glenluce) would be just off the Mull of Galloway, just in front of the lighthouse. Of course the lighthouse and the marine life and sea birds are a hotspot for tourism. Turbines would affect the area and the tourism that it brings in.

Another interesting point was raised that jobs that were brought to the area in the building of the turbines would not got to locals and the locals would not benefit from cheaper energy. Likewise the companies who would build the farms might lead to any profits going offshore and not stay in the country.

Therefore SW1 would suffer the greatest impact from the building of the offshore wind farm and would feel no benefit from it either.

Whilst I am pro-greener energy, it can't happen at the cost of the local environment and the local people.

There was one potential saving grace and that is that the proposed site is in an already established shipping lane from Ireland to Liverpool (I think it was Liverpool - it was certainly that kind of way). If the shipping lane can't be changed, maybe this will help to hinder and deter developers.

What Happens Now?

Well, Marine Scotland (a Government body) are still at the planning stage and finding potential sites. Developers are not involved in any way at this stage. As part of Marine Scotland's report, they have to gather together information from local residents which will be put to ministers. As I said, there were only about 30 of us at the meeting, and 30 opinions isn't very many, so it would be amazing if we could get more people to record their views as well. You can do this really easily online, by email, by post or by phone.