Wind Energy 1, Donald Trump 0

Scottish ministers have approved an offshore wind farm near Aberdeen.  Donald Trump had been using all of his financial and political clout to fight this project because it’s near one of his golf courses and he’s afraid it’ll ruin the view and drive tourists away.

At a press conference, Donald Trump threw a tantrum and said:

“As dictated by Alex Salmond, a man whose obsession with obsolete wind technology will destroy the magnificence and beauty of Scotland. Likewise, tourism, Scotland’s biggest industry, will be ruined. We will spend whatever monies are necessary to see to it that these huge and unsightly industrial wind turbines are never constructed.

“All over the world they are being abandoned, but in Scotland they are being built. We will put our future plans in Aberdeen on hold, as will many others, until this ridiculous proposal is defeated. Likewise, we will be bringing a lawsuit within the allocated period of time to stop what will definitely be the destruction of Aberdeen and Scotland itself.”

Uh, “all over the world,” windmills are being abandoned?!?  Whose “world” would that be?

Scotland’s energy minister, Fergus Ewing, said the wind farm would provide enough energy to power almost half of the homes in Aberdeen.  But more importantly, this site is being designed for testing and evaluating new offshore wind technology.  He said:

“Offshore renewables represent a huge opportunity for Scotland; an opportunity to build up new industries and to deliver on our ambitious renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.  The proposed European offshore wind deployment centre will give the industry the ability to test and demonstrate new technologies in order to accelerate its growth. It secures Aberdeen’s place as the energy capital of Europe.”

A spokesman for the wind project said:

“The Scottish government’s most welcome approval for the EOWDC is extremely positive news for both Scotland and the UK’s offshore wind industry as it helps position Scotland, the UK and Europe at the global vanguard of the sector.  The decision also confirms Aberdeen city and shire’s status as a world-class energy hub, bringing with it significant economic benefits which will be pivotal to ensuring the region’s long-term prosperity.”

The director of Friends of the Earth Scotland said:

“Well done to the Scottish government for standing up to Donald Trump’s threats and bluster.”