Renewables boss defends windfarm plans in rescue bid

The boss of a renewable energy firm has defended controversial plans for a Perthshire windfarm.

Green Cat Renewables has launched an appeal to rescue its bid for nine turbines at Greenacres, between Braco and Comrie.

The scheme was rejected by councillors in April, following complaints from more than 400 people and organisations, including the Gleneagles Hotel.

Opponents argued it could affect tourism and have a negative visual impact.

Green Cat is urging Scottish Ministers to reverse the council’s decision. Director Gavin Catto said he believes the Strathallan site is viable for the project.

“The need to develop renewable energy to fight climate change has never been greater,” he said.

“With the switch to the use of electric cars and the greater use of heat pumps for space heating, the demand for electricity is set to soar, and this needs to come from clean sources.

“With subsidies having been removed for onshore wind, it is necessary to site windfarms in areas with good wind resource, close proximity to the grid, and using the most modern efficient turbines.

“In parallel, there is an increasing drive to protect Scotland’s precious landscape, minimising the impact on protected landscapes and areas of ‘wild land’.

“Finding viable projects that fit within these often conflicting requirements is always a compromise, and we believed this site is a good compromise with a level of impact that is acceptable for the benefit it will create.”

The project was originally submitted as a four-turbine scheme, which was rejected by Perth and Kinross Council in 2009.

It was killed off following an appeal to the Scottish Government.

In its objection, Gleneagles claimed the scheme could impact on the “overall tourism offer” in Perthshire. A spokesman said there were “serious concerns” about the growing number of wind projects in the area.

Ministers are expected to rule on the development in September.