Almost 50 onshore wind farms in Scotland consented during the past four years risk losing planning permission unless the UK government reinstates price support, claimed trade association Scottish Renewables (SR).
A study by SR found a total 1621MW of Scottish wind has been consented since May 2015 when the Conservative government introduced a de facto ban on price support for large-scale projects.
Planning permission for the 47 projects will begin to expire from next spring, the trade association said.
If built, the projects could increase Scotland’s renewable energy capacity by almost 15%.
SR chief executive Claire Mack (pictured) called for onshore wind to be included once again in CfD auctions and for other issues affecting development to be addressed, such as the speed at which alterations to projects are dealt with in Scotland’s planning system.
“It is imperative that that ban is lifted as a matter of urgency and that issues which have been identified with Scotland’s planning system are addressed so these projects can deliver economic and social benefits for Scotland, as well as helping meet our stretching climate targets,” she added.
The new study comes as the UK’s only wind turbine tower manufacturer, CS Wind, said market conditions mean it may need to cut three-quarters of its Argyll workforce.
“It is heart-breaking to see jobs being lost at CS Wind as the projects which could have provided the company with work are unable to proceed in large part because of the UK government’s politically-motivated intransigence,” said Mack.