Wind farms are a good idea, but not here thank you.
It was going to be Britain’s biggest land-based wind farm – 181 wind turbines on the island of Lewis in the Hebrides. But yesterday, the Scottish Government said “No”. It was worried about the adverse effect on the wildlife in the region, where the air positively throngs with rare birds, such as golden eagles.
But Scottish energy minister Jim Mather says he still believes in wind energy. “I strongly believe the vast renewables potential needs to be exploited to ensure that the opportunities and benefits of new development can be shared across the country in an equitable fashion.” He said, “That’s why we will urgently carry out work on how to develop renewable energy in the Western Isles, in harmony with its outstanding natural heritage.”
The trouble is, no one seems to want wind farms.
In communities across the land, the local population are making passionate arguments for saying this is not the right place.
Quite often, they are right – and the Scottish Government may well be right on this occasion.
But, there has to be an acceptance that everything has its price.
If we are to fight the terror of global warming, sacrifices need to be made. Either we cut back, stay indoors and kiss goodbye to globalisation. Or we look towards alternative forms of energy.
This could mean nuclear energy, it could mean solar energy, or it could mean wind energy.
But whatever we adopt, there will be a down-side.
You really can’t have your cake and eat it.
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