Scottish Power close to UK wind farm go-ahead

Objections to wind farms from airport authorities and the ministry of defence because of worries the towering turbines will interfere with radar systems are a major hurdle for the wind power industry.

Scottish Power has commissioned Marconi to design software which will remove images of the turbines from radar screens.

BAA Plc, which operates the Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, had blocked the company's 300 megawatt Whitelee project, the largest onshore wind farm in the UK with 140 turbines, and the much smaller Blacklaw scheme.

"We are in the final stages of the planning process for both projects. Talks are progressing positively with the BAA and (the Civil Aviation Authority)," a Scottish Power spokesman said.

A spokesman for BAA said it was waiting to review the software which would also have to be approved by the safety review group of the industry's main regulator, the CAA.

"We are optimistic (the software) will be acceptable," said the BAA spokesman.

Scottish Power needs approval from the CAA before the schemes can be given the go ahead by the Scottish Executive.

The government sees wind power as key to meeting its target of generating 10 percent of Britain's electricity from green sources by 2010.

According to industry body the British Wind Energy Association, the ministry of defence has objected to around 30 percent of enquiries to build wind farms.

"This is the single biggest constraint affecting the industry," said Chris Shears, a board member of the association responsible for radar issues.

"If this solution works in Scotland, then it could work elsewhere," he added.

The ministry has blocked offshore wind power projects at Shell Flats and Southport off the north English coast.