UK Ministry of Defence lifts objections to wind energy projects

The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) has welcomed an agreement that has seen the Ministry of Defence (MOD) lift its objections to a number of wind energy projects in southern Scotland. Following discussions between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), MOD and Scottish Executive, a solution has been found to concerns that wind farms planned near the Eskdalemuir seismic array could interfere with the array’s role in monitoring the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This has resulted in the MOD lifting its objections to wind farm applications within an 80km ‘exclusion zone’ put in place around the array in February 2004. All applications must still go through the normal planning and consent process. The BWEA, DTI and MOD established a working group and commissioned Keele University to undertake a detailed analysis of any impacts on the array from planned turbines. The results confirmed that beyond 17.5km from the array, wind developments will not adversely affect the function of this internationally important monitoring station.