Wind energy
There is a widespread consensus on the need to move towards
sustainability in energy provision. Renewable energy
technologies are diverse and, therefore, have very different
effects upon the local environment.
Which technologies offer the greatest
potential?
In Perth and Kinross, the renewable energy technologies that
offer the greatest potential, at least in the short term, in
addition to the existing large-scale hydro schemes, are wind
energy, small-scale hydro and the use of forest residues.
Why wind?
Modern wind energy technologies and developments offer
opportunities in supporting and developing the economy of Perth and
Kinross to our benefit. However, wind farms, especially on a
large scale, may have significant local impacts on the environment.
There is a need, therefore, to balance the benefits and
disadvantages of wind energy development.
What is the purpose of the guidelines?
The purpose of the policy and guidance note is to enable the
wind energy industry to expand, but not at the cost of the natural
and built environment.
What does the guidance cover?
The detailed policy guidance covers the following -
landscape impacts; visual impacts; cumulative landscape and visual
impacts; biodiversity; cumulative ornithological impacts;
operational impacts; water resources; aviation interests; carbon
sinks; decommissioning and re-instatement; and the protection of
wind energy developments.
The guidelines provide -
- the objective for individual policy
guidelines
- detailed guidance on the interpretation of the
guidelines
- the design measures which would help mitigate
the impact
- an indication of how proposals for either planning applications
or S36 applications should be evaluated against
the guidelines
