Why are Scottish wind farms paid billions to switch off?

Despite Scotland’s booming wind sector, turbines are still routinely paid not to spin. The Ferret unpacks why this happens, what makes it so costly, and what it means for your bills.

SNP claims about Rachel Reeves ‘chaos budget’ are Mostly True

Ferret Fact Service looked at SNP claims about the UK Government budget on energy bills, taxes and unemployment and found them true or mostly true.

A multinational says a battery site in rural Kintyre will help tackle climate change. Locals claim it will spoil a "unique environment"

There have been hundreds of applications for battery energy storage schemes (BESS) across Scotland. They are part of the Scottish Government’s drive to meet net zero targets but some communities oppose them including villagers in Kintyre.

Chinese government

4 articles

Politics and power

‘Corporate con’? Big polluting investors behind push for hydrogen heating

Authoritarian regimes and financial giants with stakes in the fossil fuel industry are among investors who would benefit from plans

Petra Matijevic, Paul Dobson Apr 23, 2023

Climate and the Environment

Antarctic krill fishing boosted by fish farming

Fishing companies are hoping to “double” their catches of krill — tiny animals that sustain the Antarctic Ocean — to feed the

Rob Edwards, Francesco De Augustinis Oct 19, 2022

Human rights

China promotes propaganda in Scottish universities, says report

Chinese cultural centres in Scottish universities promote Chinese Communist Party propaganda and “threaten academic freedom and freedom of expression”, claims

Billy Briggs Mar 4, 2019

Politics and power

China accused of lying over organ harvesting

An Australian academic has challenged claims by China’s government that it has stopped removing organs from executed prisoners for

Billy Briggs Jun 17, 2016