Should developers succeed
in installing a series of 208ft high wind turbines at Antuim, Dervaig,
this could well have an adverse impact on the whole of Mull. The following,
which is the first of two reports from WAG (Windpower Awareness Group)
a member of REF (Renewable Energy Forum for Mull & Iona) provides
some valid points & observations on a potentially disastrous energy
project, which is, and should be, an island-wide issue. If you don’t
want to see Mull covered in wind turbines, read on:
It is clear from the attitude of the developers driving the installation
of wind turbines at Dervaig (the Antuim development) that they consider
this development to be a matter for only the Dervaig community to decide
upon. However it is also clear that there could be serious repercussions
resulting from such action and many of these will have a significant
effect on the quality of life and the livelihoods of all the inhabitants
of Mull. As things stand, a minority (255) will decide the future of
the majority (2700).
Scotland is in the grip of Windpower Mania, and many of the most treasured
aspects of life on the Isle of Mull, aspects that our record number
of visitors keep coming here for, – peace and quiet and an unspoiled
landscape - are about to be put at risk, with a real danger of this
island being used as a wind power station to provide more electricity
to the mainland.
Antuim first – where
next?
Beware the Back Door - In reply to our ‘back door’ question
(see January Am Muileach) comments coming from the Antuim development
continue to suggest that once this is up and running it is unlikely
that any further developments will be permitted. We think this is a
naive and dangerous assumption.
· Our own planning department has indicated in the structure/local
plan for this area that the development of windfarms at or near existing
developments would be seen in a favourable light.
· In spite of assurances from the Planning Department that Beinn
Ghlas would be the only windfarm in Argyll & Bute, there are now
several on stream, with more already in the planning system.
· In spite of objections, not only from Historic Scotland, Scottish
Natural Heritage, and the community councils of Avich and Kilchrenan
but also from their own planning officials, Argyll & Bute Council
approved the planning application for a wind farm at An Suidhe (Inveraray).
· The Planning Department have not, as yet, given any assurances
that after the development at Antuim there will be no more wind turbines
on Mull.
· Companies like Wind Energy Ltd backed by large subsidies and
investors are not going to be restrained by the capacity of the local
grid – their original proposal for 500 turbines across Mull, Ardnamurchan,
and Morvern would have required far greater capacity than that.
· Such companies are watching and waiting to see what happens
with the Antuim development. Recently, when Wind Energy Ltd was contacted,
the company representative was very reluctant to answer any questions
concerning their intentions for this area – this is not really
surprising since we, of course, understand the need for confidentiality
in these matters (?!). This, in itself, suggests that there is something
to worry about – indeed other information from an unimpeachable
source confirms that Wind Energy have not given up (confidentiality
is, of course, a ploy being used by many developers including our own
at Antuim whenever questions get too close for comfort)
The government is making it easy for big business to exploit our unspoiled
landscape. They have provided ridiculously high subsidies that are little
short of bribes (a recent report from the National Audit Office suggests
that most onshore wind farms could operate on half the level of available
subsidies) and they have managed to change the planning regulations
in a way that reduces the influence local communities have in the planning
process.
Clearly there is a serious risk that Antuim will, in fact, be a back
door through which the big players will enter and cover this beautiful
area with wind turbines, and, in order to offset the cost of installing
an under sea supply cable to the mainland, such a development would
have to be on a grand scale. This would catastrophically and irreversibly
damage our economy and our way of life - something that we are sure
everyone wishes to avoid. This is, and should be, an island-wide issue.
Decline in Visitor numbers
Our visitors are unlikely to be attracted by wind farms – they
are more likely to be repelled by them The income from visitors is important
to everyone here and provides improved prosperity and sustainable employment
for the majority of the whole of the community, both directly and indirectly.
The chairman of the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board, David Govan,
stated recently in the press that ‘in Denmark, tourist visitor
numbers have declined by 40% in areas where windfarms have been built
and the authoritative VisitScotland research into reactions of tourists
to wind farms found that 28% were unlikely to visit areas with wind
farms//there is plenty to be concerned with regarding proposed windfarms’.
The results from the first quarter of the official local survey (which
will run for a further 9 months) shows that 55 % of visitors who completed
the questionnaire are against wind farms on Mull (whereas only 35% supported
the idea) and of this majority, two thirds strongly disapproved, and
25% are unlikely to visit Mull again if windfarms are built here. Can
Mull afford any loss of this essential income? How does this loss compare
with any revenue from Antuim?
This is, and should be, an island-wide issue.
Profits and losses
The Antuim wind farm may not be as profitable for Mull as we have been
led to believe. It is not possible to estimate the likely profitability
of a wind farm until the speed, direction, and consistency of the wind
in the area is clearly understood – this takes 6-12 months. Even
though measurements have only just started, the developers at Antuim
have publicised the fact that they expect to generate £125,000
per annum for local good causes. Even before the measurements were started,
everyone at the last public meeting in Dervaig village hall was asked
what local projects could be helped by such income and MICT (appointed
as project assistants in the investigation process), have been asked
to conduct a survey to identify how this should be spent to assist community
projects. However, according to the developers, the proportion to be
given to rest of the Mull community will ultimately be decided by the
Dervaig community – once again a minority is deciding the future
of the majority.
Even if this profit figure was proved to be correct, it pales into insignificance
when compared to the risk of losing visitors -– where is the sense
in putting at serious risk many millions of pounds annual income and
countless local jobs provided through visitor spend in favour of one
eighth of one million. Surely there are better, less risky ways of generating
such an amount of money. Whether you agree with the above or not, consider
this – most calculations for profit from windfarms assume that
the turbines operate at 30% efficiency – a recent study has revealed
that, in fact, in Germany where they lead the world in the use of wind
energy, they operate at significantly lower efficiencies thus reducing
their profitability. In addition to this question mark over plant profitability,
it is also being said that with the headlong rush to cover Scotland
with wind farms, there is likely to be an over-capacity problem. The
value of the electricity produced would therefore fall, again reducing
profitability. Perhaps the profit from Antuim has been prematurely overestimated,
if so, the risk being taken is even more foolhardy.
This is, and should be, an island wide issue.
Turbines ARE likely to be
noisy
Surely, given the choice, no-one wants to live next to a wind power
station? Contrary to what the developers would have us believe, compared
to the tranquil serenity of our hills and glens, the noise created by
these turbines is likely to cause serious problems for residents in
the vicinity of wind farms, particularly when downwind of the turbines.
Residents living near Far Old Park Windfarm (Cumbria) in spite of being
promised, by the developer, that ‘there will be no noise nuisance
at any property in the area’, have been battling for 6 years to
have the noise of the turbines reduced – even now, long after
the court order to reduce the noise, the developers are dragging their
feet and nothing has changed. How many more years will it take? We must
not fall into the same trap. The developers would have us believe that
the newer turbines are less noisy because the drives and gearboxes have
been improved – however this does not reduce the noise caused
by the sweeping action of the blades – a noise which is familiar
to anyone living a mile or so from a motorway (a constant repetitive
pulsing swishing, hissing noise). Added to this is the incessant thwump,
thwump of the blades passing the pillar of the turbine. This combination
of noises easily penetrates double-glazing, as some unfortunate residents
living near the Cruach Mhor Windfarm have found. Will unusual terrain
make the noise problem even worse on Mull? This is, and should be, an
island-wide issue.
The future for Mull
Contrary to what the developers of the Antuim Windfarm would have us
believe, this development is most definitely an island-wide issue and
that it is time everyone on Mull was informed of what is happening,
what is being planned AND given the opportunity to vote on proposed
developments. We are not being given that chance at the moment, and
important decisions, which will affect our future, are being made by
a minority. We must do everything we can to ensure the future of this
beautiful and increasingly rare island environment. When is the next
public meeting with the Antuim Development and what is on the agenda?
Surely, it’s the inhabitants of Mull, not the developers, or the
consultants, or big business, who should decide Mull’s future?
We must not be complacent about this issue. There is clearly a real
danger that the Antuim development could be the back door that leads
to the wide scale construction of wind turbines throughout Mull. Surely,
we don’t want this to happen?
This is, and should be, an island-wide issue.
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PLEASE NOTE – There is not enough room to cover all of the important
points in this report – our second report will deal with the remaining
issues including the importance of wildlife. This will be published
in the paper next month.
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If you are worried about what is happening at Antuim, please post your
questions on the Antuim web site, where you can also see the answers
to our January questions. The Dervaig Steering Group is always eager
to understand the views of the community and answer any questions you
may have. Their web site is www.dervaig-community-windfarm.co.uk
You may also like to post your concerns to Derek Crook, the chairman
of Mull and Iona Community Trust at MICT, Tobermory, Mull
If you would like to help us to prevent windfarms on Mull we would be
delighted to meet you.
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