Wind Energy

Wind energy generation can play an important role in the reduction in the use of fossil fuels for energy production and therefore their associated greenhouse and toxic gas emissions and land use issues. Wind Energy is likely to play a vital role in the region and in the shift to more climate friendly and sustainable sources of energy. However wind energy developments require substantial infrastructure to be placed across a landscape and where these turbines are inappropriately placed they may have a negative effect on birds. There is a need to balance the risks and benefits and to minimise any adverse environmental effects.

Adrian S Jones

Currently, wind energy comprises about 0.5 % of global energy production, but is anticipated to increase significantly in response to concerns over the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat anthropogenic climate change. It has been suggested by 2030 that wind energy may be responsible for 5 – 30 % of global energy production meaning a drastic increase in the amount of turbines worldwide. Investments in wind energy in the region are increasing, leading to a large number of ambitious large scale development plans. As part of it renewable energy commitment Egypt has a target of 12% of energy being generated by wind by 2020, and 650 km² of land adjacent to the Red Sea  has been identified for wind farm development.

Wind energy developments may impact on birds and bird populations in three different ways

• Collision: with turbines and blades leading to death or injury
• Displacement/Barrier: from habitats or along preferred migratory routes
• Habitat impacts: fragmentation of landscape, or site specific damage

The MSB project has developed a set of guidance material which is targeted at  key audiences  involved within the wind energy sector.  These materials are tailored toward  and provide a framework in which to integrate bird and biodiversity concerns throughout the life cycle of a project and reduce any adverse impacts that may potentially occur.

The most important consideration is location, location, location. Inappropriately located or designed farms will have an negative impact but strategically planned and designed developments will have little adverse affect.

The documents are designed to be used by each stakeholder group but can also be used by organisations when approaching the differing stakeholder groups for advocacy purposes, for instance a local community can refer to both to the civil society guidance, while also approaching a developer with the developer guidance.

Alongside the guidance material we have produced a series of case studies which relate to the impact of wind energy developments and references to mitigation actions which are being used within the region and around the world.  We have also provided links to external resources which provide valuable background information and advice.

The sensitivity mapping tool which is being developed and constantly refined can also be found and utilised. It provides a valuable resource and tool which can aid in identifying areas where there is a high risk of vulnerability for birds and important bird areas across the region.

Government

Governments play an important role in setting the standards and legislative environment in which development of wind farms is delivered. By providing the appropriate legislative and regulatory environment governments can ensure birds and biodiversity impacts or reduced. The MSB project has provided a guidance document tailored towards governments in the region which will inform governments of actions which should be carried out to reduce the adverse impacts on birds and biodiversity

• Guidance document for governments

• Case studies

  • Wind turbines can cause significant deaths in bird species
  • The largest wind farm in the world impacts birds of prey in California, USA
  • Shutting down wind farms during periods of peak migration can help protect migrating birds of prey
  • The design and siting of wind turbines can reduce the risk of collision to birds of prey
  • Offshore wind farms are impacting seabirds and migrating passerines

• External Resources

  • BirdLife position statement on wind farms and birds
  • Birdlife Europe’s 'Living in Harmony with Nature'
  • World Bank Group 'Greening the Wind'
  • CBD guidelines on EIA
  • CBD guidelines on SEA
  • OECD 'Good Practice Guidance on Applying SEA in Development Co-operation'
  • Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)  Resolution 7.5 on ‘Wind turbines and migratory species’
  • Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) Resolution 5.16 Renewable Energy and Migratory Waterbirds’
  • Resolution XI.10 of the Ramsar Convention, on ‘Wetlands and Energy Issues’

Development Banks and Donors

Institution lending and investment banks often provide the necessary capital to invest in the infrastructure and planning needed for wind farm developments. These investments must ensure that the activities which take place as do not negatively impact on the environment. By ensuring that bird and biodiversity concerns are mainstreamed in project proposals and contracts will have a positive impact on wind farm developments. This can help guarantee that the energy needs of the region are met while bird and biodiversity issues have been integrated into planning and design, and across governments and sectors.

• Guidance document for Development Banks and Financiers

• Case studies

  • Wind turbines can cause significant deaths in bird species
  • The largest wind farm in the world impacts birds of prey in California, USA
  • Shutting down wind farms during periods of peak migration can help protect migrating birds of prey
  • The design and siting of wind turbines can reduce the risk of collision to birds of prey
  • Offshore wind farms are impacting seabirds and migrating passerines

• External Resources

  • BirdLife position statement on wind farms and birds
  • Birdlife Europe’s 'Living in Harmony with Nature'
  • World Bank Report 'Greening the Wind'
  • CBD guidelines on EIA
  • CBD guidelines on SEA
  • Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)  Resolution 7.5 on ‘Wind turbines and migratory species’
  • Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) Resolution 5.16 Renewable Energy and Migratory Waterbirds’
  • Resolution XI.10 of the Ramsar Convention, on ‘Wetlands and Energy Issues’
  • Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action

Developers and Consultants

Developers have an integral role to play in delivering wind farms and also in their operation.  They are a key stakeholder in delivering projects which if bird and biodiversity concerns are integrated will have little impacts on birds and biodiversity.  By following the guidance developed by BirdLife for the region, developers can tailor their operations ensuring that potential negative and adverse impacts are avoided.

• Guidance document for Developers and Consultants

• Case study

  • Wind turbines can cause significant deaths in bird species
  • The largest wind farm in the world impacts birds of prey in California, USA
  • Shutting down wind farms during periods of peak migration can help protect migrating birds of prey
  • The design and siting of wind turbines can reduce the risk of collision to birds of prey
  • Offshore wind farms are impacting seabirds and migrating passerines

• External Resources

  • World Bank Report 'Greening the Wind'
  • Windfarms and Birds: An analysis of the effects of windfarms on birds, and guidance on environmental assessment criteria and site selection issues
  • National Wind Coordination Collaborative (NWCC) 'Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind Energy/Wildlife Interactions'
  • Commission on Impact Assessment report 'Biodiversity in EIA & SEA'
  • Bat Conservation Trust 'Bat Surveys for Onshore Wind'
  • Euro Bat 'Guidelines for consideration of bats in wind farm projects'

Partners/Civil Society

The guidance documents above provide information relevant to specific stakeholders involved in the development of wind farms.  Each stakeholder has an extremely important role to play. These documents can be used as an advocacy and information tool. We urge you when talking to specific stakeholders to refer to the documents relevant.  We have also developed a broad information sheet and document which provides some general information and guidance. This document can be shared with other stakeholder groups and can be used to generate alliances which can input into any consultation which national authorities may have

• Guidance for Stakeholders and Civil Society Organisations

• Case Studies

  • Wind turbines can cause significant deaths in bird species
  • The largest wind farm in the world impacts birds of prey in California, USA
  • Shutting down wind farms during periods of peak migration can help protect migrating birds of prey
  • The design and siting of wind turbines can reduce the risk of collision to birds of prey
  • Offshore wind farms are impacting seabirds and migrating passerines
  • We welcome regional case studies, please contact us if you are aware of any studies

• External Resources

  • BirdLife position statement on wind farms and birds
  • Birdlife Europe’s 'Living in Harmony with Nature'
  • World Bank Group 'Greening the wind'
  • IFC standards EHS Guidelines on Wind
  • Windfarms and Birds: An analysis of the effects of windfarms on birds, and guidance on environmental assessment criteria and site selection issues
  • Wind Energy and Natura 2000 sites
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines
  • CBD guidelines on EIA
  • CBD guidelines on SEA
  • RSPB 'SEA in Practice'
  • Commission on Impact Assessment report 'Biodiversity in EIA & SEA'
  • Scotlands Sensitivity Map for wind energy developments
  • National Wind Coordination Collaborative (NWCC) 'Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind Energy/Wildlife Interactions'