The Scottish National Party (SNP) has thrown its support behind a major offshore wind farm project, countering Donald Trump’s long-standing opposition to renewable energy. The US president’s hostility towards wind turbines first emerged over a decade ago during a dispute over a wind farm near his Aberdeenshire golf course, which he described as “monstrosities” that would harm tourism.
Trump’s legal challenge to block the 11 turbines near his Menie estate ultimately failed, but the episode appears to have fuelled a broader campaign against renewables. Now, as president, he has barred wind and solar projects from federal lands and signed legislation that severely curtails clean energy development in the US, threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in investment.
During his upcoming visit to Scotland, Trump is expected to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer and has called for the UK to abandon wind power and ramp up oil drilling. “They should get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil,” he said, claiming turbines damage Scotland’s landscape.
However, the SNP has reaffirmed its commitment to renewable energy, with Scotland now generating over half its electricity from wind. Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, noted that Trump’s stance has damaged global climate action, warning that the US risks falling behind as China invests heavily in green technology.
Trump’s earlier claims that wind farms would destroy Scotland’s tourism industry have proven unfounded, with tourist numbers rising since 2011. The president once declared himself “the evidence” for his assertions, but experts say the real cost of his policies will be higher household bills and increased carbon emissions.
