Borders joins Highland and North East communities in calls to pause Scotland's renewable energy rollout
Communities from various corners of Scotland claim to be ignored in the renewable energy planning process
Dozens of community councils from across rural southern Scotland have joined a growing campaign to pause large-scale renewable energy developments, warning that the countryside is being “industrialised” to meet government targets.
More than 200 people, with representatives from more than 30 community councils from the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian and South Lanarkshire, gathered at Jedburgh town hall on Saturday for a renewable energy convention that brought together councillors, MSPs and MPs.
The meeting reflected mounting tensions in rural areas as the rollout of grid infrastructure and energy projects accelerates. Industry figures have said Scotland’s onshore wind capacity alone must double within five years if ministers are to meet net zero ambitions. Communities from the south of Scotland to the Highlands and islands have reported a sharp rise in planning applications and claim to often be ignored in the planning process.
Delegates at Jedburgh called on ministers to oppose what they described as the unchecked expansion of energy infrastructure and to support a national moratorium on new onshore renewable projects in the south of Scotland until a comprehensive energy strategy is in place.
The campaign follows similar moves in the Highlands, where Helen Crawford, a Scottish Conservative Highland councillor, organised two conventions last year. Those meetings culminated in a unified statement on behalf of 50 community councils across the region, urging the Scottish government to halt major energy applications pending the creation of a standalone national energy plan.
“If the first minister or deputy were to call for what is in that unified statement, that would be a significant act of political leadership,” said Ms Crawford, who was invited as a guest speaker at the Jedburgh convention.
“It is reasonable and proportionate, and support for it is growing arms and legs.”
A comparable statement from community councils in rural parts of the North East has already been submitted to Holyrood. Organisers in the south of Scotland agreed to draft their own version in the coming months.
Bob Hope, who organised the convention and chairs the Leitholm, Eccles and Birgham community council, said a straw poll taken during the event showed overwhelming support for the proposal.
“I am confident that once community councils have had time to discuss its aims we will be able to send a clear and unequivocal message to the Scottish government that enough is enough,” he said.
“The government is riding roughshod over the views of rural communities across Scotland, and it has got to stop.
“None of us are just numbers. We support a just transition to renewable energy, but what is happening is not just. We have already taken our fair share and our voices must be heard.”
The energy secretary, Gillian Martin, declined an invitation to attend the convention but insisted that renewable energy would “turbo-charge” Scotland’s economy, creating jobs and strengthening domestic supply chains.
“Increased generation of renewable energy is critical to the country’s energy security and has the potential to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and the price volatility they bring,” she said.
“Potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including cumulative effects, are important considerations in decision-making, and all applications are subject to site-specific assessments.
“It is also vital that communities see direct benefits from developments, including through shared ownership and community benefit schemes.”
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