Wind turbines are good use of poor forestry land

Commenting on news today (21 February) that SNP is about to announce windfarms on forestry land, Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said:

“Some Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) land is actually poor for growing trees – due to thin soil and high wind – two factors that hint at good sites for wind turbines.

“Most FCS land is already used for a variety of purposes, which is one of the reasons for keeping it in public ownership. This initiative can adds to the diversity of use, and increase returns for the public, as long as it is undertaken with proper account of complementary forestry, public access and biodiversity interests.”

“As long as the search for sites focuses on parts of the estate that are poor for forestry and do not have deep peat soils – or other important sensitive wildlife interests, this is a sound plan.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland recently published the report The Power of Scotland Secured, showing how Scotland could phase out all conventional thermal power by 2030 and maintain a secure electricity supply and generate revenue from renewable exports.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland t: 0131 243 2719

Notes to Editors

Anger as SNP poised to announce windfarms on forestry land (The Times) www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/scotland/article2920212.ece

The Power of Scotland Secured – research showing how Scotland could phase out all fossil fuel and nuclear power by 2030, maintain a secure electricity supply and generate significant revenue from renewable exports. www.foe-scotland.org.uk/power-secured

Friends of the Earth Scotland exists to help people in Scotland look after the planet for everyone’s future. We think globally and act locally in Scotland, delivering solutions to climate change by enabling and empowering people to take both individual and collective action. We offer help to people with the big things in life – helping to sustain a healthy society and environment. We believe that all of our children’s futures will be better because of what we do. www.foe-scotland.org.uk