RSPB Challenges Scottish Offshore Wind

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has launched a legal challenge against approval of four wind farms off Scottish coast.

Namely, the Scottish part of the wildlife charity is seeking a judicial review against Inch Cape, Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen Alpha and Bravo, claiming they could have serious implications for the wildlife in the area.

RSPB spokesman said: “We have not taken this decision lightly, but having given serious consideration to these decisions to grant consent, we have decided to take legal action.

“RSPB Scotland has a proven track record of taking a stand for nature, on behalf of our members and the general public, to ensure that wildlife and the natural environment is properly safeguarded for the future.”

The four projects could provide 2.284 GW of power, enough to power over 1.4 million homes annually.

Senior policy manager at Scottish Renewables, Lindsay Leask, expressed her disappointment by saying: “Every one of these projects has been through an incredibly rigorous, detailed and independent assessment lasting anywhere between one and two years, and it now looks like there will be another lengthy examination of that process in court before they can go ahead.

“This new delay will make it even harder for Scotland to catch up with the rest of UK and northern Europe, which already have a sizeable offshore wind industry and supply chain supporting thousands of jobs.”

 Offshore WIND Staff; Image: pixabay