Background
Greensource Limited are proposing to develop a new 6-turbine wind farm within farmland to the west of Limerick in the Republic of Ireland; the Ballynisky Green Energy Project has the potential to deliver wind energy to the equivalent of 15,000 households.
RSK Biocensus has a wealth of experience and technical expertise with regards ornithology and wind farm developments. Having developed a close working relationship with Greensource on other projects, we were their consultant of choice for this scheme due to our proven track record for delivering work to a high standard and our ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines within the project team, as well as third-party stakeholders and consultees.
Scope of services
To support the client’s planning application, we are producing an ornithological impact assessment along with the associated reports. We have:
- Carried out a high-level ornithological constraints walkover of the site to familiarise ourselves with the challenges and opportunities presented by the site.
- Produced an Ornithological Impact Assessment, including the production of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) chapter and baseline ornithology appendix.
- Carried out Quantitative Collision Risk Modelling and associated reporting.
One of the key constraints identified by our assessment was the potential for impacts to occur on the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA through birds that form Special Conservation Interests for the site flying through the proposed wind farm and colliding with the turbines.
Working closely with the client and following relevant published best practice guidance, we have undertaken a detailed assessment that quantifies the potential impacts the proposed development would have on birds, identified the likely significance of the resultant effects, and proposed appropriate mitigation and enhancement to contribute towards the project achieving an overall net gain for biodiversity.
Impact
Likely impacts on important bird populations can present a consenting risk for wind farm planning applications, so we are working collaboratively as a project team in seeking to avoid such risks by inputting to the scheme design and identifying early in the project programme any likely mitigation requirements.