Government previously opposed sites it now proposes 9/1/09
The study examining where windfarms could be built on Lewis has come up with areas already rejected by the Scottish Government.
Last year the Scottish Government said building turbines across large areas of the north Lewis moorland would fall foul of European environmental laws.
The decision wrecked plans by Amec to construct 181 giant turbines between Stornoway and Ness which were hailed as the catalyst to save the local economy, create hundreds of jobs, rescue the beleaguered Arnish wind tower fabrication yard and establish a multi-million pound community investment fund.
Following the backlash Scottish enterprise and energy minister Jim Mather ordered an economic study to examine how the Hebrides could exploit renewable energy and presented an early draft to a seminar last summer.
As previously reported by Hebrides News the report suggests that around 50 large turbines with around 150 megawatt capacity could possibly be built around the same moorland.
However, the earmarked potential areas either cover, overlap or border sites which were denied to Amec.
If planning permission is actually lodged for any of the suggested areas then Mr Mather can expect to receive his own 2008 Amec refusal arguments as formal objections.
In reality, any development at Borve, in Ness, and between North Tolsta and Skigersta, Ness, is likely to face identical environmental objections as before as well as furious community opposition.
According to Amec's refusal justification an area along both sides of the Barvas Road across the moor would affect Golden Eagles.
Conscious of the public campaign against Amec the consultants feel that only an area to the west and south of Stornoway has much chance of progressing.
On Stornoway Trust land this sweeps south from the Marybank to the Pentland road junction down towards Achmore, North Lochs and the Arnish moor.
It borders onto an environmentally designated area at the foot of the Barvas Hills and close to golden eagles breeding grounds.
Windfarm proposals around this area have previously attracted strong aviation complaints.
Originally Amec withdrew proposed turbines from within this block after conflicts with aviation and radar interests while a nearby proposed community wind farm has received planning objections from the airport.
Nearby is the site for the undeveloped Pentland Road windfarm which has been in limbo for about four years now after failing to reach agreement with Stornoway Airport and National Air Traffic Services which operates radar control for transatlantic planes.
This article was originally reported by Hebrides News at the beginning of this month and reflects results of the energy study report officially released today by the Scottish Government.
