Moffat backs windfarm moratorium call

MOFFAT’S community council is joining hundreds of other communities calling for a moratorium on commercial renewable energy applications.

The community council has pledged its support to the South of Scotland Convention.

Drawing inspiration from the Highlands, where more than 50 community councils united earlier this year to demand a temporary pause on major renewals applications, the convention seeks to amplify the voices of those concerned about the industrialisation of natural landscapes and calls to pause large-scale energy infrastructure developments until a clear national energy strategy is in place.

Since 2022, over 30 major energy projects, including windfarms with turbines exceeding 200 metres, have been approved in Dumfries and Galloway alone.

Moffat has had its own share of issues relating to windfarm and BESS applications, with many residents repeatedly raising concerns about the impact of such projects on the areas landscapes and tourism.

Most recently the community council submitted its comments against the proposed Clyde South Wind Farm near Daer reservoir

to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consensus Unit, stating: “Proposed Daer, Watchman, Scoop, Rivox, Kinnelhead and M74 proposed turbine farm developments could add a significant number of turbines to the landscape aspects of this element of the A74M corridor, with many turbines visible from as far south as Lockerbie, and for many miles north of the proposed development.

“Cumulative impact, not just to lines of sight, but to the landscape, given this proposal will ‘join’ other developments together in a near blanket coverage of turbines

“There is no indication in the proposal for any form of community amenity. To consider the overall impact, the community amenity should be a balancing consideration.”

The next meeting of the South of Scotland Convention will take place at Jedburgh Town Hall on Saturday January 17 2026, from 2-4 pm. It will be open to the public, and all political parties have been invited to attend.