March 27, 2025
As the public local inquiry into the Hill of Fare wind farm looms, our community stands at a crossroads. The proposed 16-turbine project by RES, promising 105.6 MW of power and a £150 million economic boost, remains under scrutiny following Aberdeenshire Council’s objection in October 2024. With Scottish Ministers now deciding its fate, the Hill of Fare Windfarm Information Group continues to voice concerns about noise, visual blight, and biodiversity loss—issues that echo growing unease across the UK about the government’s Net Zero ambitions.
Recent public sentiment reveals a nation divided. While polls show broad support for the 2050 Net Zero target—around 70% of Brits back it, per a 2024 IEMA survey—confidence in its delivery is waning. Official government polling shows that seven in ten doubt the UK will meet this 2050 target, citing rising costs and perceived burdens on households. The Climate Change Committee’s July 2024 warning that the UK is “off track” for Net Zero only fuels this skepticism. Here in Aberdeenshire, the Hill of Fare project embodies these tensions: renewable energy promises clashing with local realities.
Our group’s opposition, backed by over 1,700 objections and 71% of consultation attendees, aligns with this national mood. The concensus is fast pivoting; wind farms occupy significant land area, for a relatively low payback in installed capacity, and can impact human health and social wellbeing through noise and shadow flicker, potentially causing insomnia and headaches, anxiety and depression—concerns we’ve raised since RES’s 2023 proposal. The turbines, towering up to 200m, could be visible 22 miles away, threatening tourism income in our scenic region. Economic benefits, like £50 million in business rates, feel distant and insignificant when weighed against these costs.
The UK public’s call for a “fairer” Net Zero path, echoed in the PM’s 2024 pledge to ease financial pressures, resonates here. We’re not against green energy, but it must respect communities. As the inquiry unfolds, we urge residents to join us—review objection guides on our site, sign the petition, and attend hearings. The Hill of Fare fight isn’t just local; it’s a stand for a Net Zero policy that listens. Let’s ensure our voices shape a sustainable future, not just a rushed one.
Check out our objection documents elsewhere on this website and also go to the Naefare website for more information
