Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs (FOLLAT), a leading conservation charity, has changed its stance on large scale renewable energy projects. The organization has traditionally opposed them, believing they may damage the special qualities of landscapes within the National Park.
John Urquhart, Chairman of the Friends, stated: “Global warming is creating new imperatives and, as a conservation charity, we have a duty to react. Our policy is now to provide protection and promotion of the Park’s special qualities, and reducing damaging atmospheric emissions is the most important thing we can do.”
The charity has historically supported small-scale community-based renewable projects, such as hydro-electric projects at Callander, Lochgoilhead, and Arrochar. Now, they are open to considering larger schemes, as land-based wind power and energy storage systems can be implemented quickly and cheaply, and are essential for decarbonizing the atmosphere and improving the country’s energy security.
FOLLAT has also proposed a modern low-carbon Park-wide public transport system, and has asked its members for their support in the new stance. 8% of members voiced dissent.
John Urquhart concluded: “Half a century ago, the Friends fought plans for a pumped storage hydro-electric installation to be built inside Ben Lomond. Our energy planners would love to have such a facility today. Scottish and Southern Electricity is proposing to partially convert their Sloy hydro-electric installation to pumped storage, and now the Friends are enthusiastically supporting this project.”
Supporters can donate and/or join FOLLAT online via their website.
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