Ramblers Scotland Energy Policy

June 2006

Full Energy Policy Statement for Ramblers Scotland (Word format)
Full Energy Policy Statement for Ramblers Scotland (pdf format)

This policy statement will be used in developing the Ramblers' response to Government consultations on energy issues.

Global climate change is an issue which needs to be addressed and addressed now. But care must be taken when meeting obligations to reduce emissions that environmental qualities enjoyed by many are not destroyed in the process.

The main issues that Ramblers Scotland finds with the implementation of current renewable energy policy are as follows:

• Government policy is focussing too much on supporting renewable electricity generation through one technology - large-scale, land based wind turbine developments.
• Modern wind turbines are now too large to be able to fit comfortably into most landscapes, visually dominating surrounding views.
• Upland habitats are often sensitive to change and slow to recover, displaying a lasting legacy of visual scars.
• Landscape is an essential consideration when striking a balance between conserving the natural and cultural heritage, and using it as an economic resource.
• Damaging upland landscapes with heavy engineering projects like wind turbines must surely be seen as inappropriate.

In order to address the negative landscape impacts we believe that:

• There is no need to follow this course in order to meet obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A range of options is open to the Government and choices can be made to balance the means employed to address carbon emissions.
• Energy conservation coupled with energy efficiency is the most sustainable option for the long term. There are means available which can be applied now to make major savings in carbon emissions, more government action is needed to stimulate this.
• Planning guidance has a key role in setting the framework for development, with criteria needed to guide large wind turbine developments well offshore, while supporting small-scale domestic or community schemes which satisfy local electricity needs.
• There is an urgent need for fundamental changes in the financial incentives driving development of renewable energy technologies – The Renewables Obligation needs to be reformed to reduce support for large-scale onshore wind turbine developments while increasing support for a wider range of technologies.
• The electricity grid system needs realigning to accommodate much more decentralised generation, with subsea cables being the preferred option for transporting power from remote generators to existing high voltage transmission lines near to centres of demand.

In conclusion, Government targets for electricity generation and reductions in carbon emissions can be met without having a widespread visual impact on the scenic value of Scotland’s landscape.