Croney Capitalism in the U.K.

There's nothing new in the subsidy-scam business.  If someone is handing out money, there will be people lining up to take it.  The trouble is, it's our money!

The Guardian; John Vidal, Environmental Editor, February 28, 2012

Wind turbines bring in 'risk-free' millions for rich landowners

The windfarm at Doune in Perthshire forms a backdrop to Stirling Castle. Photograph: Alamy

The boom in onshore wind power, likened to a "new industrial revolution", is being dominated by a small number of private landowners who will share around £1bn in rental fees over the next eight years.
According to agents in Scotland and Wales, competition for suitable land is escalating rents. Landowners can expect to be paid 5-6% of the annual turnover of windfarms, or around £40,000 a year for each large 3MW turbine. "They see windfarms as a new farm subsidy but they do not have to take any risk," said one agent. "Only 60% of development applications may go through, but the returns if they do get built are enormous."

In return, landowners are offering communities around £1,000 per MW installed, according to RenewableUK, the wind industry trade body, in compensation for what some consider visual pollution and other disturbances such as lack of access.

"Opposition is growing as the applications flood in. We cannot keep up with the proposals," said Kim Terry from the campaign group Communities Against Turbines Scotland. "I know of 60 groups fighting windfarms in Scotland alone. The tiny bit of money being offered to communities are  
nothing but bribes. The landowners or developers decide what the money is spent on. We gain nothing, but our properties are devalued and the land is devastated."

The academic and land reformist Alastair McIntosh said: "Landowners have woken up to the fact they can make a heck of lot of money at the expense of those who have lived there for generations. There is a world of difference between a windfarm controlled by a local community and one imposed from outside by a landowner and a multinational company. The people benefiting are the ones who have always worked the subsidy system."

  See also:
The Guardian; Rob Edwards, February 28, 2012

Scotland's spectacular scenery 'being wrecked by windfarm vultures'

Critics say turbines are scarring beautiful, unspoilt country and multi-millionaires are benefiting most from the developments. 

Scotland's spectacular mountain scenery is being wrecked by "windfarm vultures" making millions on the back of government subsidies, an environmental group says.