By James Williamson
Scotland’s wind power industry is to launch a good-practice guide designed
to reduce the number of birds killed or displaced by turbines.
A conference in Perth will today hear how more than £50,000 has already
been spent on a series of studies by the Scottish Windfarm Bird Steering
Group a special interest body made up of representatives of the Scottish
Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotland and trade body
Scottish Renewables.
The summit will be told how the partnership is to develop a guide to the
management of bird population and the habitats on which they depend.
More funding has already been earmarked to support the initiative.
The threat of bird strikes has been one of a string of difficulties for
wind developers, and continues to frustrate the progress of both on and
offshore arrays.
But the move to establish a new set of guidelines for best practice has
been welcomed by Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse.
“This is an important step forward, demonstrating that the renewables
industry and conservation groups are working together to help the
conservation of bird populations across Scotland,” he said.
“It is particularly encouraging to see the focus from the group to base the
guide on real evidence rather than on speculation.
“By working closely with the industry I am sure they will produce a
practical guide for the future.”
SWBSG has research worth around £54,000 under way, funded by the Scottish
Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Renewables
and industry partners SSE, ScottishPower Renewables, RES and Vattenfall.
Academics at Stirling and Newcastle universities are examining the
long-term effects of wind arrays on birdlife and habitats, as well as
studying monitoring and survey techniques.
Chairman Colin Galbraith said creating practical advice to help protect and
encourage birdlife required a cooperative approach.
“The renewables industry is acutely aware of the need to protect the
environment, and this guide will provide it with additional tools to do
this,” he said.
“By involving industry and conservation groups in its production, the guide
will build on existing monitoring of bird populations and data-sharing
initiatives, as well as providing a unique overview and insight into the
techniques used to manage habitats for birds around windfarms.”
The move was also welcomed by Scottish Renewables’ senior policy manager
Joss Blamire, RSPB Scotland head of planning and development Aedan Smith,
and chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage Ian Ross.
Mr Ross said the plan gave the renewables sector “as much certainty as
possible by providing practical examples of how we can balance
environmental, economic and social interests”.
Today’s summit, at the Battleby Conference Centre near Perth, will hear
from some of the recent research undertaken to support the SWBSG, and will
include workshop sessions in which conservation and industry figures will
discuss priorities for action.
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