Renewable Energy - Research & Trends

Windfarm footprint map

To help provide a national overview of windfarm development in Scotland SNH produces a windfarm footprint map, based on our own database of windfarm proposals.  Recent versions of the map are available to download as a ‘pdf’ below.  The map is currently updated every 6 months and will therefore not contain all windfarm proposals, nor will it reflect recent changes in status.

The windfarm footprint map is intended to provide an overview only and we endeavour to keep the map as up to date as possible.  However, users should note:

• the map is updated regularly, but will never be 100% accurate;
• there are several ‘gaps’ on the map where SNH are seeking appropriate mapping of proposals to add to the map;
• the map should not be used to form the basis of detailed environmental assessment or regional planning work – it is an overview only;
• the map shows the approximate physical footprint of the wind farm and is usually based on the site boundary as shown on the Environmental Statement.  Where we don’t have site boundary, a turbine ‘envelope’ is used instead, using the outer turbine locations. 
• It will often include site access tracks, but generally excludes grid connections;
• The map does not show the ‘visibility’ footprint of the windfarms, it shows the physical footprint only
• It is acknowledged that the word ‘footprint’ could be misleading – it does not represent the physical footprint of the turbines (or their foundations) themselves – it shows the area of land occupied by the windfarm and is intended to illustrate the relative scale of windfarm proposals;
• The map only shows windfarms which are installed, consented, in planning or at scoping stage.  It does not show proposals which are still confidential, or proposals which have been withdrawn or refused consent.
• The map does not include small domestic wind turbines and generally only includes wind turbines of greater than 50m in height;
• The map only includes proposals which SNH are consulted on, some small wind clusters or community scale proposals, which have not been reviewed by SNH may not appear.

• Windfarms in Scotland (September 2009) - Map (14.9Mb)
• Windfarms in Scotland (January 2009) - Map (8Mb)
• Windfarm Footprint August 2008 - Map (18.9 Mb) GIS dataset
• Windfarm footprint map April 2008 (8 Mb)

Please direct any queries about the windfarm footprint map to Brendan Turvey, Policy and Advice Officer, SNH, Tel: 01738 458622 or email brendan.turvey@snh.gov.uk