Written Question · S3W-38016 · Session 3
Whether a post-construction assessment is made of the carbon (a) invested in the construction of wind farms and (b) saved as a result of th…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a post-construction assessment is made of the carbon (a) invested in the construction of wind farms and (b) saved as a result of the energy that they generate in order to check the assessment of the carbon payback period made at each wind farm’s planning stage.
The answer
The Scottish Government funded a study in 2007 to scope out the potential carbon impacts of wind farm development on peat. This study developed guidance and a method to calculate carbon emission savings associated with wind farm developments on peat using a full life cycle analysis approach.
(a) Yes
- developers are encouraged to use the guidance above and its calculator when preparing formal applications for section 36 consent.
The carbon emissions from a wind farm development, and the predicted carbon payback, clearly represent an impact on the natural environment, and so consideration of this impact is included within a submission to ministers whenever such a calculation has been provided within the Environmental Statement. These impacts represent a material consideration in respect of both the natural environment and the Scottish Government''s obligations under the Climate Change Act 2008.
Scotland has a robust consenting system and Scottish ministers will always seek to strike the right balance between developing and delivering Scotland''s energy future and protecting environmental, cultural heritage, economic and community issues.
(b) An emissions comparison (tonnes CO2 emitted per Mega Watt Hour) between electricity generation by wind power against that generated by gas and by coal power stations is undertaken as part of the section 36 application process for wind farm applications.
(a) Yes
- developers are encouraged to use the guidance above and its calculator when preparing formal applications for section 36 consent.
The carbon emissions from a wind farm development, and the predicted carbon payback, clearly represent an impact on the natural environment, and so consideration of this impact is included within a submission to ministers whenever such a calculation has been provided within the Environmental Statement. These impacts represent a material consideration in respect of both the natural environment and the Scottish Government''s obligations under the Climate Change Act 2008.
Scotland has a robust consenting system and Scottish ministers will always seek to strike the right balance between developing and delivering Scotland''s energy future and protecting environmental, cultural heritage, economic and community issues.
(b) An emissions comparison (tonnes CO2 emitted per Mega Watt Hour) between electricity generation by wind power against that generated by gas and by coal power stations is undertaken as part of the section 36 application process for wind farm applications.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-38016 by reference.