The Highlands has more than double the renewable projects of any other area in Scotland

The Highlands has more than double the amount of renewable energy projects over any other area in Scotland, according to government data.

Figures from the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) shows that the Highlands has 305 renewable developments either under consideration or completed.

Dumfries and Galloway has the next highest number, with 135, followed by Argyle and Bute, with 129, and Aberdeenshire with 106.

Over the last two months Highland Council planning committees have seen huge agendas incorporating some of these projects, leading to meetings being forced to run for two days or more.

These included ongoing consideration of the Fanellan Substation and ultimate approval for the controversial Banniskirk Hub.

Member of the council’s north planning applications committee, Councillor John Edmondson (Cromarty Firth, Liberal Democrats), emphasised that he is not against renewables but raised concerns about the “piecemeal” nature of how projects are being brought forward, while stressing his belief that “the Highlands is making and should continue to make a substantial contribution to the current energy strategy”.

He said “policy makers may be failing to fully consider all the effects and have real oversight on their Net Zero strategy on areas such as the Highlands as it is unfolding”, adding that: “Reaching Net Zero requires decarbonisation across many sectors other than energy generation.

“The current approach to Net Zero appears to many to be piecemeal rather than holistic.

“The public is demanding a more joined up approach to achieving Net Zero as it is not obvious to many that anybody has sat down and thought this all through.”

According to the ECU data overhead powerlines make up the majority of the renewable energy applications for the Highlands, with a total of 60 per cent of 165 projects having already been given consent by the Scottish Government.

The data also states that out of a total of 338 renewable energy applications registered for the area, 15 of those have been refused and 18 have been withdrawn, leaving the Highlands with 305 pending or completed applications.

Scottish Renewables was approached for comment but did not respond.