The Highland Wind Farm Revolt

Video Description

How are communities in the Highlands of Scotland reacting to new wind farm developments? This film is about the vast expansion of wind farms in the Scottish Highlands - 1300 projects built or in planning. That's huge. We visited several glens which already have 5-7 wind farms and are being expected to accept the same again. And although communities are ready to negotiate - no-one in power is listening. The British Government didn't appear at their Community Council Convention in August, whilst the Scottish Government has used its planning powers to approve projects rejected by Highland Council. *CORRECTION* We wrongly refer to Nicola Connelly in this film as SSEN chief executive. In fact, she is CEO of Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN). Apologies. As a keen supporter of green energy, I understand scepticism about local protestors. Are they NIMBYs (not in my back yard) or climate crisis deniers? This film found neither. We did find communities who question the constraint payments given to wind farm developers NOT to operate because there's no grid capacity. They question who will benefit from new wind energy since Scotland’s already a net exporter. And they ask why so little benefit comes to people with some of the highest energy bills in Europe. So, this is a film about power, land ownership and missing local democracy. It features communities from Tomatin, Ardross, Oykel Bridge and Skye plus a lengthy interview with the CEO of Scottish Renewables and footage from the frisky Convention attended by 56 community councils in August. With huge thanks to Julie Fowlis and Eamon Doorley for permission to use their wonderful music!