Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 12 December 2024.
Tim Eagle
Conservative
2:30,
12 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many planning consents for onshore wind farm developments in the Highlands and Islands region the Scottish ministers have approved following an appeal since 2021. (S6O-04116)
Alasdair Allan
Scottish National Party
Since 1 January 2021, a total of nine planning appeals for onshore wind farm developments in the Highlands and Islands region have been allowed.
Tim Eagle
Conservative
Clachaig Glen wind farm on the Mull of Kintyre was recently approved by ministers despite huge Opposition and concern from local people. One of those campaigners told me that
“the whole focus is on policy and net zero. It is completely lacking in humanity. The SNP talk about empowerment but it is obviously just theirs.”
Many campaigners are not against harnessing wind power, but the sheer volume of applications, especially in the Highlands and Islands, is changing rural communities. Does the Minister agree that local people’s views are being ignored? What can he do to improve the situation?
Alasdair Allan
Scottish National Party
I do not accept the premise of the question, which is that the process ignores people’s views. However, as I have mentioned, the Government is continually seeking to improve the process. That is why we are working with the United Kingdom Government to include things such as pre-consultation for major applications to ensure that those views are taken into account at the earliest possible stage.
Colin Beattie
Scottish National Party
Can the Minister outline the increase in Scotland’s renewable energy generation capacity as a result of developments such as onshore and offshore wind and solar energy?
Alasdair Allan
Scottish National Party
As of June 2024, there was 15.6GW of renewable electricity capacity in Scotland. In the past 12 months, renewable electricity capacity has risen, and it is up 5 per cent since June 2023. That is largely due to increases in onshore and offshore wind capacity.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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