Warning over small-scale wind turbine schemes

SHRINKING incentives are threatening the future of smaller wind turbine projects across Scotland, property consultant CKD Galbraith has warned.

Smaller projects will be in doubt. Picture: Michael Gillen

The firm said that new projects will receive only 64 per cent of the feed-in-tariff received by an identical turbine commissioned under previous rates.

Tariffs for some renewable sources are gradually reduced to reflect expected falls in the cost of installation, but Mike Reid, head of utilities at CKD Galbraith, said many farmers rely on smaller wind projects for additional revenues.

He added: “It could be argued that the original subsidy level was too high, but there had to be an incentive in an embryonic industry. Unless savings are made, degression will mean an end to single wind turbine developments in the foreseeable future.”

RenewableUK has urged the UK government to make “urgent changes” to the feed-in-tariff system after the trade body reported a 77 per cent slump in the number of new small-scale wind turbines being deployed.

It said: “It would be a crying shame if we allowed this great British success story to fail.”

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SCOTSMAN’S BUSINESS BRIEFING

• Get the latest business headlines from a variety of news sources emailed to your inbox each morning