Simon Danczuk backs decommissioning bond proposal for Scout Moor Wind Farm

Scout Moor Wind Farm

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk is fully supportive of the proposal to introduce a decommissioning bond to return Scout Moor to pre-wind farm conditions at the end of the wind farm’s lifespan.

Rochdale Online reported, on 16 February, that the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum and Prickshaw and Broadley Fold Conservation Area proposed money be set aside to restore the moors when the windfarm was no longer viable.

Currently there is no requirement for onshore wind farm developers to put such a bond in place, meaning there is no way of ensuring the costs of removing them are met when the wind farm is no longer viable. The average life-span of a wind turbine is around 25 years.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/108182/decommissioning-bond-should-be-in-place-for-scout-moor-says-the-rooley-moor-neighbourhood-forum

Mr Danczuk said: “As Rochdale's MP, I fully back any investment into renewable energy for our town. Not only do wind turbines ensure a safer environment for future generations by providing clean energy, they also generate business rate returns for our area and create much needed new jobs, but it is essential that we properly plan for the future. Without putting aside money now, we will be lumbered with an extortionate cost simply to take old wind turbines down. Rochdale is surrounded by high hills, moorland and heather, and we must ensure that this natural landscape is preserved.

“Not only this, I support both Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum and Prickshaw and Broadley Fold Conservation Area in working to strike the right balance between green energy and conservation, and I will make it a priority to write to the Minister on this topic.”

Scout Moor wind farm was built in 2008 by Peel Energy on land between Rochdale and Rossendale. There are 26 turbines, with another 16 planned, which generate 65MW of electricity, and a further 16 turbines have been proposed in an expansion.

MP for Heywood and Middleton, Liz McInnes, and Rossendale MPs, David Nuttall and Jake Berry, did not respond to an invitation to comment.