MILITARY chiefs may have opened the floodgates to scores more windfarm schemes in the north and north-east by upgrading their radar systems.
The days of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) trying to block planning applications for new turbine developments in Aberdeenshire and the Western Isles could soon be at an end.
The Press and Journal has learned that a contract has been signed to update the remote radar head (RRH) sites at Buchan, south of Peterhead, and Benbecula with new “windfarm-friendly” technology. Work on the upgrade is due to be completed by the middle of next year, and a spokesman for the MoD has confirmed it will “mitigate the effects of wind turbines on the radar capability”.
The MoD has objected in recent years to dozens of windfarm projects in both regions, many of which have subsequently been blocked or shelved. Peter Argyle, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee, said the radar upgrade plan could have major implications.
“It’s the first I’ve heard of it but, if the MoD is saying the new systems won’t be affected by windfarms, logically they won’t be objecting to many or any,” he said.
“There’s a lot of wind turbine applications on hold as developers work with the MoD to overcome these issues, and others that have been ruled out.”
Turbines show up on radar and are difficult to distinguish from small aircraft. As a result, RAF planes have to steer six miles clear of them.
To overcome the problems, the MoD has begun installing the new TPS-77 system, which does not suffer from the interference.
Western Isles councillors voiced frustration at the “almost automatic objections” to applications for turbines on North and South Uist, as well as Benbecula.
In December, Scottish ministers “called in” proposals to instal two community turbines at Clachan after councillors approved them despite an MoD objection.
The P&J understands the contract for the radar upgrade was signed in November, prompting Western Isles councillor Donald Manford to question the ongoing objection.
“I would like the MoD to answer if the radar to be installed in North Uist will overcome, as it has in other places, MoD objections to turbines,” he said.
“If it will overcome the objections, then why are they objecting?”
The MoD has also objected to windfarm plans in Moray because of the radar systems at RAF Lossiemouth.
It was not known last night if defence chiefs have plans to fit the new technology at the base.
Bob Graham, who lives at Inchberry and has long campaigned against turbines in Moray, said: “It’s a double negative – the negative of the windfarm and then you’re spending money to counter the impact of it.”
Replacing similar radar installations in Northumberland and Yorkshire in 2012 cost £27million, funded by the windfarm developers themselves.
Jenny Hogan, policy director of industry body Scottish Renewables, said: “Technology innovations of this kind are an important factor in the move to meet our renewable energy targets.”
Asked about the Buchan and Benbecula sites, an MoD spokesman said: “The radar systems are being upgraded to provide ongoing support to air defences. The work will help to mitigate the effects of wind turbines on the radar capability.”