On-shore wind farms in the UK

In the third quarter of 2019, the UK achieved the landmark of renewable electricity generation (from hydroelectric, solar, on- and off-shore wind farms and bio-mass) surpassing that generated from fossil fuels for the first time

In 2021, 41% of the UK’s electricity was generated from renewable sources, with the figure up to 73% for the month of May2. By contrast only 3% was renewably generated in 2000. Wind farms provided enough power to meet the needs of 22.8 million homes in 2022, with off-shore wind farms providing 14% and on-shore wind farms providing 11% of the UK’s energy.

With the pressure to source energy from renewables increasing in line with the adverse effects of climate change, with the impacts of the ongoing war in Ukraine on our energy costs and supplies, and with on-shore wind farm restrictions (in England) in the news regularly in the last year, it’s time to review the status of onshore wind farms in the UK and showcase what RSK Biocensus is up to in this part of the renewable energy sector.

The last 30 years has seen a seen a major transformation in the wind farm landscape

The UK’s first on-shore wind farm was opened in Delabole, Cornwall in 1991, consisting of 10 turbines producing enough energy for 2,700 homes.

Near to our RSK Biocensus offices in Gloucestershire, one of the earliest turbines was erected by Ecotricity in 1996, but even this faced stiff opposition from Stroud residents at the time, taking five years to get planning permission. Although there are now more than 1,500 on-shore wind farms, planning restrictions introduced in England in 2015 (along with reduced public funding) resulted in a ‘de facto’ ban on new on-shore wind farms in England and Wales (though not in Scotland) with no immediate signs of this being lifted. With wind turbines having a maximum operational life expectancy of 20-30 years, older wind farms are now also requiring turbine replacement.

RSK has been heavily involved in on-shore wind farms since the start of the 21st century

RSK provide a full suite of surveys and assessments necessary to take the projects through the planning and construction stages, including Protected Species and habitat surveys (particularly focusing on transect and static bat detector surveys, and bird surveys and subsequent collision risk assessments), ecological constraints reporting, Environmental Statements, Habitat Regulations Assessments, and Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW).

Because wind turbines have the potential to cause risk of death to bats (by direct collision), for the Millmoor Rig project, we used innovative approaches to obtaining baseline ecological information and assessing impact risks, including using the specialised BTO Acoustic Pipeline auto-ID software, using the Ecobat online data processing tool (which allows the comparison of bat activity data with sites in a similar geographic location, to see if they are comparatively low, moderate or high) and the most recent 2021 NatureScot Guidance to assess the potential impact from turbines on bats.

Millmoor Rig site photographs (note static bat detector in the left photo).

As well as providing project-specific consultancy work, one of our Technical Directors (Paola Reason) has provided technical expertise in relation to bats and wind farms, as part of an EU-wide review of the implementation of the Habitats Directive. Her role in developing formal guidance on assessment and mitigation included participation in multi-Member State workshops and teleconferences, a detailed literature review, liaison with EUROBATS representatives and the production of text. The guidance was published as Wind Energy Developments and EU Nature Legislation by the EU Commission.

Spaldington turbine during placement and in-situ.

The UK government is committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to become a world-leader in renewable energy. With the recent revival of the on-shore wind farm market in parts of the UK and in Ireland, and our strong presence in the renewable energy sector, RSK Biocensus can provide the full range of ecological assessments and technical advice for clients, resourcing large-scale Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) for their duration, rapidly mobilising and supplying experienced survey teams across all ecological disciplines.