10 Apr 2026
Concerned Borders residents are calling for an inquiry into the use of asbestos in wind turbines after it was revealed that the Scottish Government was unaware the cancer-causing substance is used in their manufacture.
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont raised the issue with both the Scottish and UK Governments and in a short response the Scottish Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: "The Scottish Government is not currently aware of asbestos within the braking mechanisms of wind turbines".
Ms Martin said it was a matter for the UK Government.
UK Government Minister Sir Stephen Timms acknowledged the issue but simply said that the risk was low.
Asbestos causes lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma and heart problems and has been fully banned in the UK since 1999. There is no safe level of exposure.
It has emerged that the braking systems of lifts in some wind turbines contain asbestos, although it is unclear why developers have used mechanisms which do not comply with UK regulation.
Bob Hope, a member of Leitholm, Eccles and Birgham Community Council, said: “I was shocked to discover that components in some wind turbines contain asbestos.
“Anyone with a family in this area will be utterly appalled, as we are surrounded by windfarms on all sides.
“There must be an inquiry into the use of asbestos and full transparency from the developers. It makes no sense to me that a toxic substance, banned in the UK for so many years could now be present in wind turbines. Will asbestos fibres be blown into the air? It is clear that a complete moratorium on any further construction must be imposed until this is properly investigated by an independent authority.”
Mr Lamont, who is also Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, wrote initially to the regulatory services department of Scottish Borders Council, which advised that it had no knowledge of asbestos used in turbines.
Mr Lamont next contacted Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy with the Scottish Government. Ms Martin replied that “..the Scottish Government is not currently aware of asbestos within the braking mechanisms of wind turbines” suggesting that the question should be put to the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE).
Undeterred, the MP then contacted the HSE and separately, UK Government Minister Sir Stephen Timms, who is responsible for the HSE. Both acknowledged they were aware of the issue.
Sir Stephen Timms replied: “HSE is aware of the potential presence of asbestos in lift brake components used in wind turbines…”
The response went on to note that “Industry duty holders and supply chain partners are working swiftly to determine the extent of any affected equipment and to implement appropriate measures where asbestos is identified. With suitable control measures and monitoring in place the risk of exposure is considered to be low. HSE will continue to monitor the industry’s response…”
At the time of writing it is not known how many wind turbines in Scotland may contain asbestos.
In the Scottish Borders region alone, there are now 985 wind turbines either in operation, consented or at various stages of the planning system. Around 82 per cent of major windfarm applications have been given the green light by Scottish Ministers in the past five years.