The Argyll region has "amazing capacity" for producing more renewable energy, particularly onshore wind, say campaigners.

Green activists said it was a "crucial moment" for energy policy as prices rise for consumers and more efforts are made to stop relying on fuel from Russia.

Sarah Davies, of Time for Change Argyll and Bute, said it was "vital" to take responsibility of energy production for the current generation and those in the future.

Ms Davies told the Advertiser: "Onshore wind farms are a key component of this, and Argyll is rich in capacity for this form of energy generation.

"Renewables are a comparatively cheap, quickly deployable and environmentally sustainable method of creating energy, reducing our overall reliance on oil and gas, which is more vulnerable to price fluctuations and produces the emissions that are driving the climate crisis."

The Scottish Government has set a requirement for more onshore wind energy by 2030 as part of efforts to make the country have net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

But the environmentalists recognised there can be "conflicts" between those national goals and the views of local reidents. They urged finding a balance.

Ms Davies said: "Since 2017, wind turbines are no longer subsidised by the government, therefore increasing operational costs as well as improvements in technology mean that wind turbine heights have been increased to maximise the wind speeds available.

"The need for more onshore wind is not in question, but these larger turbines mean that the siting, design and the overall balance of effects and benefits must be considered to avoid conflicts.

"Onshore wind farms can bring significant community benefits. Community benefit remains the value equivalent to £5,000 per installed megawatt per annum for the lifetime of development.

"For a wind farm of 13 turbines, this would add up to over £400,000 per year, which can then be used by communities and local groups to improve our environmental protection and awareness, to form local collaborative initiatives that protect and create tourism related jobs, or to improve services, or public realm and the general quality of life for our residents."

She added: "With the correct design and siting that takes into account local opinion and biodiversity concerns, we can all benefit from having more renewable energy generation in our local area. Both the climate and technology are changing on a local, national and global scale, and we need to act in the benefit of future generations."