Day: August 1, 2025

Scotland heading into fourth month of water scarcity

For over three months, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have been closely monitoring and supporting Scotland through a prolonged period of water scarcity.

Despite recent rainfall easing conditions in some areas, six catchments remain at Moderate Scarcity, with a further four at Alert and 11 at Early Warning. This week Shetland has moved to Early Warning. The Conon catchment has improved to normal conditions. Elsewhere conditions remain unchanged.

Since the first warning about the increasing risk of water scarcity back in March, SEPA have been working to support abstraction licence holders, ensuring they have the information and guidance needed to adapt.

While public attention may shift with the weather, the underlying risks remain. Extended periods of dry weather, like those seen twice already this spring and summer, have made recovery difficult and remind us that water scarcity is a long-term challenge.

SEPA’s ongoing monitoring has enabled the agency to anticipate risks and engage early with abstracters, ensuring that any next to restrictions on water abstraction were implemented only when absolutely required. This proactive approach meant that, despite coming very close twice so far this year, no unnecessary restrictions have been imposed safeguarding both water users and the environment.

Catrin Thomas, Senior Scientist in SEPA’s Water Resources Unit, said: “Water scarcity isn’t just a one-off event – it’s a long-term challenge, and we’re here for Scotland throughout.

“Our staff have been monitoring conditions, sharing updates weekly and engaging directly with those who rely on our water resources. Twice this year we’ve experienced spells of prolonged dry weather, and due to the dry autumn and winter, that has made it harder for catchments to recover. Another period of warm dry weather could quickly push some areas back into more serious levels of scarcity.

“We understand the pressures that come with managing water, and our role is to provide timely reliable information so no one is caught off guard. As the weather shifts, we urge all abstractors to continue using water efficiently, especially those in at risk areas, and keep informed through our website and reports. We’ll continue providing timely information and expert advice to help manage Scotland’s water resources sustainably.”

SEPA’s water scarcity situation reports are published weekly. The network of Drought Risk Assessment Tool (DRAT) stations is also available for people to track the areas that are most at risk.

All information is available on our website at sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity 

Consent granted for controversial Berwick Bank wind farm

‘A VERY DARK DAY FOR SCOTLAND’S SEABIRDS’

One of the world’s largest offshore wind farms has been granted consent by the Scottish Government.   

Located approximately 38km from the Scottish Borders coastline at St Abbs, Berwick Bank wind farm will have an estimated capacity of 4.1 gigawatts (GW) which, with current technology, could generate enough electricity each year to power every household in Scotland around twice over.  

In recognition that the site of the development is also considered a highly important area for wildlife, consent for the construction and operation of the wind farm is subject to the developer, SSE Renewables, producing a detailed sea bird compensation plan outlining how adverse impacts on seabirds will be compensated for.   

This plan will need to be approved by Scottish Ministers ahead of Berwick Bank proceeding.   

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Ministers have given the Berwick Bank wind farm application extremely careful consideration.  

“The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland’s progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy.  

“It is also an important decision for Scotland’s renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland’s significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing rounds. 

“We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.”   

Berwick Bank will have an estimated capacity of 4.1GW which, with current technology, could generate up to 11.2 TWh of electricity annually – enough to power around 17% of UK households – or enough to meet Scotland’s needs TWICE over.

A DARK DAY FOR SCOTLAND’S SEABIRDS

RSPB Scotland commented: “A dark day for Scotland’s seabirds. We’re incredibly concerned @Scotgov have granted consent for the Berwick Bank windfarm, which could catapult some of our most vulnerable species toward extinction.

The Scottish Government have granted consent for SSE Renewables proposed Berwick Bank offshore windfarm. RSPB Scotland, together with partners, had called for plans for the mega offshore windfarm to be refused to protect our globally important seabirds. 

The development is close to iconic colonies like the Bass Rock – home to the world’s largest colony of Northern Gannets. It’s estimated that the windfarm will kill tens of thousands of seabirds over its lifetime, including Kittiwakes, Puffins and Gannets. 

Although Scottish Ministers require the developers to demonstrate that “sufficient” seabird compensation will be put in place before the project can start, it is not clear how the thousands of seabirds predicted to be killed can be compensated for. 

A Puffin covering its face with its wing.
Puffins are under threat

Devasting decision

Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “This is a very dark day for seabirds. It is a terrible decision on a really bad development. 

“Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland’s globally important seabirds which are already facing alarming declines. In addition, its impacts are so damaging they will make the relative impacts of other windfarms significantly higher. This one windfarm is going to make it really challenging to accelerate renewable projects across Scottish seas. We are incredibly concerned that Scottish Government have granted consent for a project which could catapult some of Scotland’s most-loved seabird species towards extinction. 

Anne McCall

“RSPB Scotland recognises climate change is one of the biggest threats to seabirds, but there needs to be seabirds left to save. We support nature-positive offshore wind, in the right locations with minimised impacts on wildlife, and measures to restore and protect seabird populations. But this is predicted to be one of the most damaging windfarms for birds we are aware of anywhere on the planet. 

“We will be carefully scrutinising the details of the consent documents over the coming hours and days and considering what further steps we will take.”