Question reference: S6W-22335
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 20 October 2023
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Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 7 November 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much peatland has been excavated, according to data within onshore wind applications consented to by the Energy Consents Unit, within the last 10 years.
Answer
95 wind applications have been consented by Scottish Ministers, under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, in the last ten years. Effects on peatland (where relevant) are assessed on a case by case basis in accordance with current methodology and available tools, including the carbon calculator , and are taken into account through the statutory consultation process with SEPA and NatureScot when considering applications made to Scottish Ministers.
The Scottish Government does not collate peatland data from each application and we are therefore unable to provide analysis of how much peatland has been excavated and restored and how much carbon has been emitted from those consented developments (if built). Applications and related environmental information are advertised and made publicly available for inspection in accordance with the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and the Electricity (Applications for Consent) Regulations 1990.
More about our processes and consultation requirements can be found on the Scottish Government website .