Nature charities are begging the Scottish Government to say no to plans for a fresh offshore wind farm. They warn that the developer’s own calculations suggest that it could lead to the deaths of tens of thousands of seabirds.
Five charities have reached out to the First Minister to ask him to scrap the Berwick Bank wind farm in the Firth of Forth. They want to protect wildlife and push for less harmful offshore projects. RSPB Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, the National Trust for Scotland, the Scottish Seabird Centre, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust are all on board.
The developer SSE claims that they have already made changes to their designs to minimize any potential risks to Scottish seabirds.
The Berwick Bank project is set for an area four times the size of the whole City of Edinburgh Council area. It’s only 40km off the East Lothian coast, near iconic seabird spots like the Bass Rock and Isle of May.
New offshore wind developments are stuck right now because of their combined impacts with Berwick Bank on Scotland’s important seabird populations.
The group points out Ossian, a similarly sized wind farm to Berwick Bank that would generate almost the same amount of electricity. It’s proposed further offshore and away from crucial seabird sites. Ossian alone could cut the Kittiwake population at St Abb’s Head by up to 13%. Together with Berwick Bank, the two could slash the same Kittiwake population by up to 81%.
If Berwick Bank goes through, it’s hard to imagine that Ossian would get the green light due to these awful impacts.
About 70% of seabird species are on the decline in Scotland, including Puffins that are facing extinction on a national and global scale.
Anne McCall, RSPB Scotland’s director, said: “Offshore wind is important in fighting the climate and nature crisis. We totally back wind farms that are in good spots and work with nature. But there’s a big problem in the way. Berwick Bank would be a disaster for Scotland’s globally important seabirds. It’s so damaging that it’s stopping plans for new, less harmful wind farms.
“As the First Minister mentioned earlier this year: nature should be at the center of climate action. Our message to the Scottish Government is clear. Say no to Berwick Bank to unlock the full potential of offshore wind while safeguarding our outstanding wildlife.”
Diarmid Hearns, the National Trust for Scotland’s interim director of conservation and policy, said: “The National Trust for Scotland looks after St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve, which is home to around 45,000 seabirds during breeding season. This includes protected Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill, and Shag species.
“Climate change is a big threat to seabirds, and offshore wind development is crucial to meet Scotland’s climate goals. So, we’re all for it. But installations need to be put in spots that are sensitive to the habitats we’re trying to shield from climate impacts. The suggested location for Berwick Bank could cause a lot of ecological damage and seriously hurt the seabird colonies at St Abb’s Head.
“We’re asking Ministers to reject the proposal for Berwick Bank and instead focus on moving forward with plans in more suitable locations.”
Harry Huyton, Scottish Seabird Centre’s CEO, added: “The Firth of Forth is home to globally important seabird populations, including the world’s largest colony of Gannets on Bass Rock.
“Most of Scotland’s seabird species are already on the decline, and Berwick Bank threatens to undermine efforts to restore populations by killing and displacing tens of thousands of seabirds. It’s simply the wrong place for an offshore wind farm.
“We want to see a strong and thriving offshore wind industry in Scotland, one that avoids developing sensitive sites for wildlife and actively contributes to nature conservation. Ministers need to act fast for nature and the future of offshore wind by turning down Berwick Bank.”
