Wind and hydro energy development

Wind turbines change the energy which comes from movement of the wind into electricity. Hydroelectricity is similar, using the energy generated from moving water.

Managing Scotland’s forests and land is a balancing act. The impact of renewable energy means every proposal is carefully considered.

Our own role is land management, including the effect on our forestry plans. Other planning stakeholders cover issues like the impact on the landscape and air transport. These may include:

• local authority
• NatureScot
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
• Scottish Forestry
• Scottish Ministers
• Scottish Water
• Directorate for Planning & Environmental Appeals 

The relevant local authority makes the decision to give consent to smaller renewable energy projects. Scottish Ministers decide on larger schemes.

New renewable energy projects can be disruptive to local communities. If a scheme is agreed, we work with the developer to minimise this.

We were part of a working group which published guidance on good practice during wind farm construction. This group included:

• Scottish Forestry
• Scottish Renewables
• NatureScot
• SEPA
• wind energy developers

This guidance makes sure developers work in a responsible manner on our land and covers:

• pollution prevention
• nature conservation
• impact on landscape and water

We also operate under the Scottish Government Woodland Removal Policy. This means we plant trees elsewhere to replace areas made unplantable.

You can view information about operational and planned renewable energy schemes here. We update this list twice a year. 

Wind and hydro schemes on national forests and land - as of December 2024 (excel)

View development locations on our Renewable Schemes web map.