Wind power in Scotland explained

Wind power is the fastest-growing renewable energy technology in Scotland, with 11,482 megawatts (MW) of installed wind power capacity by Q1 2023. This included 9,316 MW from onshore wind in Scotland and 2,166 MW of offshore wind generators.[1]

There is further potential for expansion, especially offshore given the high average wind speeds, and a number of large offshore wind farms are planned.

Targets

The Scottish Government has achieved its target of generating 50% of Scotland's electricity from renewable energy by 2015, and hoped to achieve 100% by 2020, which was raised from the lower target of 50% in September 2010.[2] The majority of this was expected to come from wind power.[3] Renewables produced the equivalent of 97.4% of Scotland's electricity consumption in 2020, mostly from wind.

The target for 2030, made in 2023, was for 11GW of offshore wind by 2030. This would represent an increase of 400% in offshore wind and a 60% increase in total wind generated power[4] and form part of the 50GW of offshore wind planned by the UK by 2030.[5] The EU North Seas Energy Cooperation group plans on having 76GW in the North Sea by 2030.[6]

Historical Installations

The wind turbine was invented by James Blyth and installed at his home in Marykirk in the Mearns, in 1887, leading to a second being installed at the Montrose Lunatic Asylum in 1895 at the Sunnyside Royal Hospital.

The first recorded public electricity system was installed on Wormit hill to supply the houses built by Alexander Stewart who built much of the village[7] This initially consisted of a "Windmill" on Wormit Hill and backup Steam Generator before replacement with a diesel generator in the 1930s.

Contribution to the Scottish Power Grid

On Sunday 7 August 2016, a combination of high wind and low consumption caused more wind power generation (106%) than consumption in Scotland. Scottish wind turbines provided 39,545 MWh during the 24 hours of that date, while consumption was 37,202 MWh. It was the first time that measurements were available to confirm that fact. Renewables produced the equivalent of 97.4% of Scotland's electricity consumption in 2020, mostly from wind.[8] In 2020, 3.6 TWh of Scottish wind power was curtailed.[9]

Large wind farms

Black Law Wind Farm

The 54-turbine Black Law Wind Farm has a total capacity of 124 MW.[10] It is located near Forth in Lanarkshire and was built on old opencast coalmine site, with an original capacity of 97 MW[11] from 42 turbines. It employs seven permanent staff on site and created 200 jobs during construction. A second phase saw the installation of a further 12 turbines. The project has received wide recognition for its contribution to environmental objectives.[11] Over the period April 2009 to March 2010, Black Law Wind Farm produced 19.19% of its rated capacity.[12]

Braes of Doune Wind Farm

The Braes of Doune Wind Farm opened in 2007 and is located close to Stirling. The wind farm has 36 Vestas 2 MW wind turbines. The farm was built and is run by Airtricity.[13]

Clyde Wind Farm

The Clyde Wind Farm is a 522 MW wind farm near Abington in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The 152-turbine project by Scottish and Southern Energy,[14] which was approved by the Scottish Parliament in July 2008, is capable of powering 300,000 homes.[15] Turbines have been built either side of the M74 motorway.[16] Construction of the wind farm, which is budgeted for £600 million, started in early 2009 and finished in 2012.[17] The farm was opened at a ceremonial ribbon cutting by First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond in September 2012.[18]

Crystal Rig Wind Farm

Crystal Rig Wind Farm is an operational onshore wind farm located on the Lammermuir Hills in the Scottish Borders region of Scotland. When it was completed in May 2004 it was the largest wind farm in Scotland. As a result of 3 extensions it is currently the 2nd largest wind farm in the UK, both in terms of nameplate capacity and number of turbines. The whole site has 85 turbines and a nameplate capacity of 200.5 MW.

Farr Wind Farm

Farr Wind Farm is located some 10 miles south of Inverness, and comprises 40 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 92 MW. Every year the wind farm generates enough clean electricity to meet the average annual needs of some 54,000 homes.[19]

Hadyard Hill Wind Farm

Hadyard Hill Wind Farm, owned and operated by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), became the first wind farm in the UK with a capacity of over 100 MW. The 120 MW, 52-turbine wind farm in South Ayrshire cost £85 million and in a year generates enough electricity to power 80,000 homes, sufficient to supply every household in a city the size of York. The production of zero carbon electricity at the wind farm is expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by almost 300,000 tonnes a year, equivalent to taking 70,000 cars off the road.[20]

Novar Wind Farm

Novar Wind Farm is a 50 turbine, 53.8MW wind farm located in the Scottish Highlands. Constructed in 1997, Novar was of the earlier developments of Scottish on-shore wind generation. It provided a significant contribution to the local economy during construction and through its Community Benefit Fund. In 2010 an additional 16 turbines were constructed taking the yearly generation capacity to 53.8MW.

Whitelee Wind Farm

Whitelee Wind Farm, near Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire is the largest on-shore wind farm in the United Kingdom with 215 Siemens and Alstom wind turbines and a total capacity of 539 MW.[21]

There are many other large onshore wind farms in Scotland, at various stages of development, including some that are in community ownership.

Under construction or proposed

Viking Wind Farm

The Viking Wind Farm in the Shetland Islands was first proposed as a 600 MW 150 turbine project in 2009. After reduction in scope due to environmental concerns about effects of wildlife and peat bog carbon release during construction, as well as potential interference with equipment at Scatsta Airport the scheme was approved in 2012 as a 103 turbine scheme of 370 MW.[22] [23] [24] The scheme is expected to achieve high capacity factors due to wind conditions in Shetland, as the Burradale has a capacity factor just over 50%. A high-voltage cable will be laid to link Shetland to the UK electricity grid.

Whitelaw Brae Wind Farm

Whitelaw Brae windfarm is located approximately 3 miles south of Tweedsmuir in the Scottish Borders. It is planned to commence generation in winter 2026/27. The windfarm is funded using a co-operative model by Ripple Energy,[25] allowing for small investments from individuals based on offsetting their own annual electricity consumption. According to project developers BayWa r.e.[26] Whitelaw Brae Wind Farm will feature up to 14 turbines with an expected generating capacity of up to 57 MW, which is enough energy to supply approximately 43,000 homes.

Lethans Wind Farm

Lethans Wind Farm, east of New Cumnock was approved in 2020 as the tallest wind farm at 220m with 22 turbines with a capacity of 105MW.[27]

Offshore wind farms

Scotland's first offshore wind turbine was placed near the Beatrice Oil Field, 24km (15miles) off the east coast in the Moray Firth, North Sea, in August 2006. This was the world's largest wind turbine at the time, an REpower 5M, with a maximum output of 5 MW. A second identical turbine joined it and the wind farm began supplying electricity in August 2007.[28] As of February 2010, Beatrice Wind Farm is the deepest and northernmost offshore wind installation in the world.[29]

This was the first time such large offshore wind turbines had been tested, and the first time any wind turbine generators have been assembled in such deep (44 metres) water.[30] Such large wind turbine generators are ideally suited to the offshore environment due to high consistent wind speeds and minimal turbulence. According to historical measures of wind speeds at the Beatrice offshore location, it is expected that the turbines will run 96% of the time (8440 hours per year), and at 10 MW full power 38% of the time (3300 hours per year).[30]

In January 2010 contracts were awarded for a major expansion of offshore wind power in the seas around Scotland. Moray Offshore Renewables will develop offshore wind power in the Moray Firth, and SeaGreen Wind Energy will develop offshore wind in the Firth of Forth. These developments could lead to 1,000 new wind turbines generating nearly 5,000 MW of power. Jobs "could also be created in manufacturing, research, engineering, installation, operation and services".[31] In July 2016, RSPB challenged development in the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay.[32] [33]

Scotland is the home to two offshore wind demonstration projects: The two turbine, 10 MW Beatrice Demonstrator Project located in the Moray Firth, and the single turbine, 7 MW Fife Energy Park Offshore Demonstration Wind Turbine in the Firth of Forth. There are also several other commercial-scale and demonstration projects in the planning stages.[34]

Offshore Wind farms

The complete list of sites including power updates and developer name changes:

Wind farms in Scottish waters
Site Name Potential
power (MW)
Developer Notes
Robin Rigg Wind Farm180 Statoil Sited at Robin Rigg, a sandbank midway between the Galloway and Cumbrian coasts in the Solway Firth.
60 Vestas V90-3MW wind turbines [35]
Beatrice588 SSE Renewables plc and Talisman EnergySSE owns 40%, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) (35%) and SDIC Power (25%). Application approved by Marine Scotland in March 2014, Construction to begin early 2017.[36] Fully operational in June 2019[37]
Inch Cape(1000) Repsol Nuevas Energias SA
EDP Renewables
Repsol owns 51%, EDPR owns 49%. Application approved by Marine Scotland in October 2014.
72 V236-15.0 MW turbines.
Hywind Scotland 30 Statoil floating wind farm 15miles off Peterhead Constructed between July and September 2017, power generation started in October 2017.[38] [39] [40] [41], it has averaged a capacity factor in excess of 50%.[42]
Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm 1,075 SSE Renewables 114 Vestas V164-10.0 MW turbines
27km off the Angus coast in the North Sea’s Firth of Forth
Operational from October 2023[43]
Neart Na Gaoithe(450) Mainstream Renewable Power LtdApplication approved by Marine Scotland in October 2014. Scheduled for 2024 [44]
Moray East950 Ocean Winds, KEPCO, Mitsubishi CorporationOperational as of 2021 [45]
Moray West (882) Scheduled for 2025 [46]
IslaySSE Renewables No further investment from SSE into the project for the foreseeable future.[47]
Solway FirthE.ON Climate & Renewables UK DevelopmentsDormant – Unsuitable for development
Wigtown BayDONG Wind (UK) Dormant – Unsuitable for development
Kintyre Wind FarmKintyreAirtricity Holdings (UK) Ltd Cancelled due to proximity to local communities and Campbeltown Airport[48]
Forth ArrayFred. Olsen Renewables LtdCancelled. Fred. Olsen pulled out to concentrate on its onshore developments[49]
Bell RockAirtricity Holdings (UK) Ltd
Fluor Ltd
Cancelled due to radar services in the area.[50]
Argyll ArrayScottishPower RenewablesCancelled due to ground conditions and presence of basking sharks[51]
Total2,200

Community ownership of wind farms

See also: Community wind energy and Local Energy Scotland. Community-owned schemes in Scotland include one on the Isle of Gigha. The Heritage Trust set up Gigha Renewable Energy to buy and operate three Vestas V27 wind turbines, known locally as The Dancing Ladies or Creideas, Dòchas is Carthannas (Gaelic for Faith, Hope and Charity).[52] They were commissioned on 21 January 2005 and are capable of generating up to 675 kW of power. Revenue is produced by selling the electricity to the grid via an intermediary called Green Energy UK. Gigha residents control the whole project and profits are reinvested in the community.[53]

Findhorn Ecovillage has four Vestas wind turbines which can generate up to 750 kW. These make the community net exporters of renewably generated electricity. Most of the generation is used on-site with any surplus exported to the National Grid.[54]

Boyndie Wind Farm Co-operative is part of the Energy4All group, which promotes community ownership.[55] A number of other schemes supported by Community Energy Scotland are in the pipeline.

Debate

The siting of turbines is often an issue, but multiple surveys have shown high local community acceptance for wind power in Scotland.[56] Existing public policy with regard to wind power has become a topic of debate in recent years.

Public opinion surveys

Which should be increased in Scotland?[57]
ImageSize = width:240 height:180PlotArea = width:200 height:150 left:30 bottom:20AlignBars = late

DateFormat = x.yPeriod = from:0 till:100TimeAxis = orientation:verticalScaleMajor = unit:month increment:20 start:0

PlotData= color:green width:30 bar:Coal from:start till:9 bar:Oil from:start till:9 bar:Nuclear from:start till:7 bar:Wave from:start till:69 bar:Wind from:start till:82

In 2003, MORI Scotland was commissioned by the Scottish Executive to undertake a study examining the attitudes of people living close to Scottish wind farms. The survey showed that people living near Scotland's ten largest wind farms strongly support more of Scotland's energy needs being produced by the wind. 82% wanted an increase in electricity generated from wind power, whilst more than 50% supported an increase in the number of wind turbines at their local wind farm. 20% say their local wind farm has had a broadly positive impact on the area, as opposed to a negative impact (7%).[58]

A survey conducted in 2005, and commissioned by the renewable energy industry, showed that 74% of people in Scotland agree that wind farms are necessary to meet current and future energy needs. When people were asked the same question in a Scottish Renewables study conducted in 2010, 78% agreed. The increase is significant as there were twice as many wind farms in 2010 as there were in 2005. The 2010 survey also showed that 52% disagreed with the statement that wind farms are "ugly and a blot on the landscape". 59% agreed that wind farms were necessary and that how they looked was unimportant. The 2010 study suggests that the majority of people in Scotland are in support of clean energy. However this survey has been widely criticised for its methodology, in that it used a weighting scale such that the opinion those who lived nearer windfarms was rated as of lesser importance.[59] [60] [61]

In 2013, a YouGov energy survey concluded that:

New YouGov research for Scottish Renewables shows Scots are twice as likely to favour wind power over nuclear or shale gas Over six in ten (62%) people in Scotland say they would support large scale wind projects in their local area, more than double the number who said they would be generally for shale gas (24%) and almost twice as much as nuclear (32%). Hydro power is the most popular energy source for large scale projects in Scotland, with an overwhelming majority (80%) being in favour.[62]

In 2022, an official survey found that 80% of Scots approve of offshore wind farms.[63]

Aesthetics and environmental issues

Siting of wind turbines has sometimes been an issue, as most people are concerned about the value of natural landscapes. The John Muir Trust has stated that "the best renewable energy options around wild land are small-scale, sensitively sited and adjacent to the communities directly benefiting from them".[64] [65] A small-scale scheme proposed by North Harris development trust has been supported by the John Muir Trust.[66] A 2013 poll carried out by the John Muir Trust, suggests that 75% of Scots would like to see their wild areas protected from further development.[67] [68] Wind farm developers sometimes offer "community benefit funds" to help address any disadvantages faced by those living adjacent to wind farms.[69] [70] [71]

The Ardrossan Wind Farm on the west coast of Scotland has been "overwhelmingly accepted by local people". Instead of spoiling the landscape, local people believe it has enhanced the area. According to one of the town's councillors: "The turbines are impressive looking, bring a calming effect to the town and, contrary to the belief that they would be noisy, we have found them to be silent workhorses".[72]

The £90 million Black Law Wind Farm is located near Forth in Lanarkshire and has been built on an old opencast coalmine site which was completely restored to shallow wetlands during the construction programme. It employs seven permanent staff on site and created 200 jobs during construction.[11]

However, concerns over inappropriate siting of turbines has been voiced by groups in Fife, in particular, where the number of planning applications for turbines has risen sharply.[73] This also is true of Berwickshire, which is home to the second largest windfarm in the UK, Crystal Rig Wind Farm, and where hundreds more turbines are due to be situated, contrary to the wishes of many residents of the county, and the John Muir Trust.[74] [75] [76]

Also, the siting of turbines in environmentally sensitive areas has led to the deaths of migratory and native birds, such as on Harris where a rare visitor to Scotland, a white-throated needletail was witnessed being killed by a turbine.[77]

Inevitably carbon emissions are produced during construction and transport. Manufacturers typically state that carbon emissions are 'paid back' within 3–18 months of production, but recent research claims that turbines located on peat bogs create incidental emissions that may increase this to 8 years or more.[78] A 2013 financial analysis of utility companies such as the SSE (formerly Scottish and Southern Electricity) concluded that utilities were haemorrhaging cash. Construction of wind farms by the electrical generating industry lead to duplication of existing power plants which were still needed as backup without increasing the utilities customer base or their output.[79]

Scottish Natural Heritage has stated that the decommissioning of ageing turbine structures in the future would be more deleterious to the environment than leaving the bases in place, thus littering Scotland's wild land with concrete which though they could be covered with topsoil, could lead to "oxidising and subsequent staining/contamination" and would lead to irreversible damage to the sensitive peatlands on which many are built. Alternatively, new wind farms could be built on the same site, minimising overall damage.[80]

Tourism impacts

See also: Wind turbines on public display. Some Scottish wind farms have become tourist attractions. According to a 2002 poll carried out by MORI Scotland, "nine out of ten tourists visiting some of Scotland's top beauty spots say the presence of wind farms makes no difference to the enjoyment of their holiday, and twice as many people would return to an area because of the presence of a wind farm than would stay away". The Whitelee Wind Farm Visitor Centre has an exhibition room, a learning hub, a café with a viewing deck and also a shop. It is run by the Glasgow Science Centre.[81]

Economic impact studies have also been undertaken that looked at the impact of the development of onshore wind on the local tourism sector.[82] This found that wind farms did not harm the employment in the tourism sector in the areas surrounding wind farm and in fact, in the majority of the case studies the tourism sector in the immediate local area performed better than in the wider local authority.

A 2016 study found no connection between tourism and wind power.[83]

Wind variability

Most turbines in the European Union produce electricity at an average of 25% of their rated maximum power due to the variability of wind resources,[84] but Scotland's wind regime provides average capacity factor of 31% or higher on the west and northern coasts. The load factor recorded for the onshore North Rhins windfarm near Stranraer was 40%, which is typical for well-sited mainland windfarms. A small wind farm in Shetland with five Vestas V47 660 kW turbines recently achieved a world record of 58% capacity over the course of a year. This record is claimed by Burradale windfarm, located just outside Lerwick and operated by Shetland Aerogenerators Ltd. Since opening in 2000, the turbines at this wind farm have had an average capacity factor of 52% and, according to this report, in 2005 averaged a world record 57.9%.[85] However, a Scottish opposition group found 124 separate occasions from 2008 to 2010 when the nation's wind output fell to less than 2% of installed capacity.[86] On the west and northern coasts Scotland's wind regime can provide an average of 40% or higher.

Potential

It is estimated that 11.5 GW of onshore wind potential exists, enough to provide about 45 TWh of energy in a year, allowing for wind variability. More than double this amount exists on offshore sites[87] where mean wind speeds are greater than on land.[88] The total offshore potential is estimated at 25 GW, and although more expensive to install could be enough to provide almost half the total energy used in Scotland.[87]

According to a recent report, the world's wind market offers many opportunities for Scottish companies, with total global revenue over the next five years estimated at £35 billion and continued growth forecast until at least 2025.[89]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201124180344/https://www.scottishrenewables.com/our-industry/statistics . 24 November 2020 . 16 August 2023 . Scottish renewables.
  2. Web site: Target for renewable energy now 80 per cent . 23 September 2010 . Scottish Government . 15 November 2010 . 10 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130510215112/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/09/23134359 . dead .
  3. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/05/europes-largest-onshore-wind-farm-is-switched-on-in-scotland Europe's Largest Onshore Wind Farm Is Switched on in Scotland
  4. Web site: Ministers downgrade Scottish offshore energy projection . 13 November 2023.
  5. Web site: Offshore wind . 14 November 2023.
  6. Web site: The North Seas Energy Cooperation . 14 November 2023.
  7. Web site: Wormit from the Gazetteer for Scotland. 13 November 2020. 14 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201114064557/https://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townfirst136.html. live.
  8. News: 25 March 2021. Renewables met 97% of Scotland's electricity demand in 2020. en-GB. BBC News. 31 March 2021. 3 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603084915/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56530424. live.
  9. Web site: Lempriere . Molly . Drax to expand pumped storage hydro station Hollow Mountain . Solar Power Portal . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625191811/https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/drax_to_expand_pumped_storage_hydro_station_hollow_mountain . 25 June 2021 . en . 25 June 2021 . live.
  10. Web site: Press Releases. scottishpowerrenewables.com. 29 May 2018. 21 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191021152139/https://www.scottishpowerrenewables.com/pages/press_releases.aspx. live.
  11. Web site: UK's most powerful wind farm could power Paisley. bwea.com. 4 July 2007. 20 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120120041651/http://www.bwea.com/media/news/060213_bl.html. live.
  12. Web site: UK Renewable Energy Generation - Summary April 2009 to March 2010. clowd.org.uk. 6 January 2011. 4 March 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110304121722/http://www.clowd.org.uk/Downloads/UK%20Renewable%20Energy%20Generation/2009/UK%20Renewable%20Generation%20Summary%20Compliance%20April%202009%20to%20March%202010.pdf. dead.
  13. Web site: Braes of Doune. airtricity.com. 10 March 2009. 21 November 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081121131932/http://www.airtricity.com/international/wind_farms/scotland/operating/braes_of_doune/. live.
  14. Web site: SSE Clyde Wind Farm website . 16 July 2015 . 10 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180410115146/http://sse.com/whatwedo/ourprojectsandassets/renewables/clyde/ . dead .
  15. Web site: Wind farms: now we've got the biggest in Europe . Jenny . Haworth . 22 July 2008 . 22 July 2008 . 8 June 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110608090305/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Wind-farms-now-we39ve-got.4309930.jp . live .
  16. News: Europe's largest onshore wind farm is to be built in Scotland costing £600m . Simon . Johnson . The Daily Telegraph . 21 July 2008 . 22 July 2008 . London.
  17. News: Green light for massive wind farm . BBC News . 21 July 2008 . 22 July 2008 . 20 February 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090220010101/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7517176.stm . live .
  18. Web site: Salmond opens SSE's Clyde wind farm . 8 June 2013 . 8 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121008203813/http://www.sharecast.com/cgi-bin/sharecast/story.cgi?story_id=20363821 . live .
  19. Web site: RWE Group - Corporate Website. RWE. AG. npower-renewables.com. 10 March 2009. 3 October 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091003003628/http://www.npower-renewables.com/farr/index.asp. dead.
  20. Web site: Hadyard Hill becomes the first wind farm in the UK to generate over 100 MW of power. bwea.com. 5 July 2007. 20 November 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101120224059/http://bwea.com/media/news/060411.html. live.
  21. http://www.whiteleewindfarm.co.uk/about_windfarm?nav Whitelee Windfarm
  22. Web site: Viking wind farm approved . 4 April 2012 . The Government of Scotland . 8 April 2012 . 7 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120407223905/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/04/viking04042012 . live.
  23. News: Shetland wind farm plans by Viking Energy approved by Scottish government . 4 April 2012 . BBC News . 8 April 2012 . 6 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406202644/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-17609719 . live.
  24. News: Shetland Islands to host 'world's most productive' windfarm . Severin . Carrell . 4 April 2012 . The Guardian . 8 April 2012 . London . 3 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203125615/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/apr/04/shetland-islands-windfarm-scotland-energy . live.
  25. https://rippleenergy.com/our-projects/whitelaw-brae-wind-farm
  26. https://www.baywa-re.co.uk/en/wind/whitelaw-brae#project-status
  27. News: Scotland's tallest wind farm given green light in East Ayrshire . Scottish Construction Now . 20 October 2020 . 30 November 2020 . 1 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201101030804/https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/article/scotland-s-tallest-wind-farm-given-green-light-in-east-ayrshire . live .
  28. Web site: beatricewind.co.uk - beatricewind Resources and Information.. beatricewind.co.uk. 8 February 2010. 8 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191108224956/http://www.beatricewind.co.uk/timeline. dead.
  29. Web site: Beatrice is currently the northernmost and deepest offshore wind farm in the world. myiris.com. 24 November 2021. 14 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110714143745/http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/storyShow.php?fileR=20100201131449194&dir=2010%2F02%2F01&secID=livenews.. live.
  30. Web site: Worlds Largest Wind Turbine Generator - REUK.co.uk. reuk.co.uk. 23 May 2007. 11 June 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070611214022/http://www.reuk.co.uk/Worlds-Largest-Wind-Turbine-Generator.htm. live.
  31. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8447317.stm New offshore wind farm contracts announced
  32. Web site: Wind farm legal challenge victory. 19 July 2016. BBC News. 20 June 2018. 29 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181029100545/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-36836316. live.
  33. Web site: Scots offshore wind 'pretty much dead'. 20 July 2016. BBC News. 20 June 2018. 11 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181111104133/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36842758. live.
  34. Web site: Current Marine Renewable Energy Projects. Scottish Government. 8 December 2009. gov.scot. 15 July 2015. 15 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150715213822/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Licensing/marine/scoping. live.
  35. Web site: Robin Rigg Wind Farm website . 16 July 2015 . 16 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150716231419/https://www.eonenergy.com/About-eon/our-company/generation/our-current-portfolio/wind/offshore/robin-rigg . live .
  36. Web site: Major boost to far north economy as Nigg is awarded Beatrice contract – and Helmsdale may benefit too. northern-times.co.uk. 28 June 2016. 20 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220182147/http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Major-boost-to-far-north-economy-as-Nigg-gets-Beatrice-contract-15062016.htm. dead.
  37. Web site: Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd . beatricewind.com.
  38. News: World's first floating wind farm emerges off coast of Scotland. Harrabin. Roger. 23 July 2017. BBC News. 23 July 2017. en-GB. 6 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180806165920/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40699979. live.
  39. Web site: Nå starter monteringen av Statoils flytende vindmøller. SYSLA. 17 February 2017. 20 February 2017. 21 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170221110949/http://syslagronn.no/2017/02/17/syslagronn/na-starter-monteringen-av-statoils-flytende-vindmoller_191270/. dead.
  40. Web site: Floating turbines deliver first electricity. BBC News. 18 October 2017. 18 October 2017. 21 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190821162157/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-41652707. live.
  41. News: Geuss. Megan. First floating wind farm, built by offshore oil company, delivers electricity. 18 October 2017. Ars Technica. 18 October 2017. 18 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171018190151/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/10/first-floating-wind-farm-built-by-offshore-oil-company-delivers-electricity/. live.
  42. Web site: UK offshore wind capacity factors – Energy Numbers . energynumbers.info . https://web.archive.org/web/20210523191012/https://energynumbers.info/uk-offshore-wind-capacity-factors . 23 May 2021 . 1 March 2021 . live.
  43. Web site: Scotland's largest offshore wind farm now fully operational . 17 October 2023.
  44. Web site: About Neart Na Gaoithe. nngoffshorewind.com. EDF Renewables. 9 February 2021.
  45. Web site: Moray East Offshore Wind Farm Achieves Full Output . Offshore Engineer Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20220509195936/https://www.oedigital.com/news/495639-moray-east-offshore-wind-farm-achieves-full-output . 9 May 2022 . en . 7 April 2022 . live.
  46. Web site: renews.bix . 3 October 2023 . Installation works kick off at Moray West .
  47. Web site: Review of offshore wind farm development. sse.com. 9 June 2015. 12 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150112182559/http://sse.com/newsandviews/allarticles/2014/03/review-of-offshore-wind-farm-development/. dead.
  48. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-12610901 BBC News report-SSE ditches plans for Kintyre offshore wind farm
  49. http://fortharray.com/news-2/ Fred.Olsen Forth Array News
  50. Web site: Staff Writer . Bell Rock Offshore Wind Farm . 4C Offshore . 26 January 2023.
  51. Web site: Welcome. 29 April 2015. argyllarray.com. 9 June 2015.
  52. Web site: Let's Talk Renewables. HIE. 6 January 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080407011013/http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/Lets-Talk-Renewables/letstalkrenewables-spring2007.pdf . 7 April 2008.
  53. Web site: Green Energy press release. greenenergy.uk.com. 26 January 2005. 1 February 2007. 21 December 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061221184211/http://www.greenenergy.uk.com/sitecontent/viewpressrelease.aspx?id=94. live.
  54. Web site: Ecovillage Findhorn. ecovillagefindhorn.com. 6 July 2007. 18 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191018224504/https://www.ecovillagefindhorn.com/. live.
  55. http://www.energy4all.co.uk/projects.asp?id=SCPR4&m=2 Boyndie Co-operative
  56. Web site: Scots support wind farms . Scottish Renewables . 22 October 2010 . Sustainable Scotland . 31 March 2012 . 19 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130119194326/http://www.sustainablescotland.com/business-communities/scots-support-wind-farms . live .
  57. Braunholtz, Simon (2003) Public Attitudes to Windfarms . Scottish Executive Social Research.
  58. Web site: Public Attitudes to Windfarms: A Survey of Local Residents in Scotland . Scottish Government . 2003 . 13 July 2012 . 4 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121004060651/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/08/18049/25580 . live .
  59. News: Rise in Scots wind farm support . 18 October 2010 . BBC News . 20 June 2018 . 18 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180918041610/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11569466 . live .
  60. Web site: Scots support wind farms . 22 October 2010 . Sustainable Scotland . 31 March 2012 . 19 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130119194326/http://www.sustainablescotland.com/business-communities/scots-support-wind-farms . live .
  61. Web site: Public Perceptions ✭ - WAG - Windfarm Action Group - the growing blight on the good earth ☯. windfarmaction.com. 22 August 2012. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065945/http://www.windfarmaction.com/public-perceptions-10029.html . live.
  62. Web site: Scots support renewable energy . Cordelia Nelson . March 20, 2013 . YouGov . 22 June 2013 . 25 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130425020656/http://yougov.co.uk/news/2013/03/20/scots-support-renewable-energy/#sthash.HBUwLpWE.dpuf . live .
  63. Web site: Buljan . Adrijana . Scots Overwhelmingly Pro-Offshore Wind . Offshore Wind . 10 August 2022.
  64. Web site: What's Your View on Wild Land?. 2006. John Muir Trust. Pitlochry. 13 November 2007. 18 May 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070518163136/http://www.jmt.org/news.asp?s=2&cat=Latest%20News&nid=JMT-N10035. live.
  65. Web site: Renewable Energy Policy. John Muir Trust. 20 April 2008. 16 May 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080516100314/http://www.jmt.org/policy-renewable-energy.asp. live.
  66. Web site: North Harris Community Wind Farm Approved. John Muir Trust. 18 February 2008. 21 April 2008. 6 January 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110106195351/http://www.jmt.org/news.asp?s=2&cat=Land&nid=JMT-N10263. live.
  67. Web site: Public 'backs wild land turbine ban'. 26 June 2013. BBC News. 20 June 2018. 16 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180716180437/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-23067412. live.
  68. Web site: Scotsman. Retrieved 27 June 2013 . 27 June 2013 . 30 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130630034015/http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/75-of-scots-back-land-protection-from-wind-farms-1-2979453 . live .
  69. Web site: Wind farm community benefits. berwickshirenews.co.uk. 19 September 2012. 10 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130610051812/http://www.berwickshirenews.co.uk/news/local-headlines/wind-farm-community-benefits-1-2312231. live.
  70. Web site: Residents 'devastated' at wind farm decision. berwickshirenews.co.uk. 19 September 2012. 10 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130610024718/http://www.berwickshirenews.co.uk/news/local-headlines/residents-devastated-at-wind-farm-decision-1-241342. dead.
  71. Web site: Uproar over wind farm vote. berwickshirenews.co.uk. 19 September 2012. 10 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130610023829/http://www.berwickshirenews.co.uk/news/local-headlines/uproar-over-wind-farm-vote-1-242191. dead.
  72. Web site: Response: Wind farms are not only beautiful, they're absolutely necessary. Simon. Gourlay. 11 August 2008. The Guardian. 13 December 2016. 5 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131005070554/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/aug/12/windpower.alternativeenergy. live.
  73. Web site: Eftag - Collection of Chair Design Ideas. Eftag. 24 November 2021. 26 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226100424/https://www.eftag.info/. live.
  74. Web site: Petition to protect the country's wild lands. berwickshirenews.co.uk. 1 July 2012. 13 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121213203012/http://www.berwickshirenews.co.uk/news/local-headlines/petition-to-protect-the-country-s-wild-lands-1-956263. live.
  75. News: Fallago Rig wind farm development sold . BBC News . 2 February 2012 . 20 June 2018 . 12 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181112210305/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-16851483 . live .
  76. Web site: Scottish Borders Council windfarm applications up to 1 July 2012. scotborders.gov.uk. 1 July 2012. 4 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221150/http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/file/49/windfarm_database_pdf_may_2011. dead.
  77. Web site: Twitchers see rare bird hit turbine. 27 June 2013. BBC News. 20 June 2018. 28 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181028222714/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-23082846. live.
  78. Douglas E. (8 July 2006) "Gone with the Wind". London. New Scientist.
  79. Evans, Richard (4 May 2013) Experts warn of threat to utility shares' income The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2013
  80. Web site: Old wind farms bases 'could be left in countryside'. Simon. Johnson. 25 June 2013. The Daily Telegraph. 2 April 2018. 30 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180530063956/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10142126/Old-wind-farms-bases-could-be-left-in-countryside.html. live.
  81. Web site: Whitelee Windfarm . Scottish Power Renewables . 9 March 2012 . 2 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120302104242/http://www.whiteleewindfarm.co.uk/visitor_centre . live .
  82. Web site: BiGGAR Economics. Onshore Wind Energy and Tourism in Scotland. BiGGAR Economics. 2 August 2016. 7 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160807023647/http://www.biggareconomics.co.uk/independent-study/onshore-wind-energy-tourism-in-scotland/. live.
  83. Web site: Onshore Wind Energy & Tourism in Scotland. Biggar Economics. 10 August 2016. 7 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160807023647/http://www.biggareconomics.co.uk/independent-study/onshore-wind-energy-tourism-in-scotland/. live. Report
  84. Web site: ECN report on Renewables. 4 February 2007. 8 November 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061108124821/http://www.ecn.nl/docs/library/report/2003/c03006.pdf. live.
  85. Web site: Burradale Wind Farm Shetland Islands - REUK.co.uk. reuk.co.uk. 23 May 2007. 10 February 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070210154949/http://www.reuk.co.uk/Burradale-Wind-Farm-Shetland-Islands.htm. live.
  86. http://www.windaction.org/posts/30544-report-questions-wind-power-s-ability-to-deliver-electricity-when-most-needed "Analysis of UK Wind Generation"
  87. RSPB Scotland, WWF Scotland and FOE Scotland (February 2006) The Power of Scotland: Cutting Carbon with Scotland's Renewable Energy.
  88. Web site: Global wind power at 80 m. stanford.edu. 23 May 2007. 25 May 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080525114202/http://www.stanford.edu/group/efmh/winds/global_winds.html. live.
  89. Web site: Huge potential growth forecast for Scottish wind industry. scottish-enterprise.com. 23 May 2007. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045747/http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/sedotcom_home/news-se/news-fullarticle.htm?articleid=207059. dead.