Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of whether technological upgrades to the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array could enable additional onshore wind development without compromising its operational capability.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has worked closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNEZ) over onshore wind deployment in the vicinity of the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array, which supports the United Kingdom's obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. As part of this work, the MOD supported experimental testing of alternative technologies and has considered assessments undertaken by specialist technical advisers and independent seismology experts.

DESNZ has recently consulted on a revised approach to managing onshore wind turbine interference in the vicinity of the Array. The MOD and DESNZ have also commissioned an independent scientific review of alternative technological solutions.

Previously, evidence made available to the Department has not demonstrated that proposed alternative technological solutions provide viable mitigation for operational use. The consultation responses and independent scientific review are currently being considered and DESNZ will publish a government response reflecting the outcome of both processes soon.