Nature charities call for proposed mega offshore windfarm to be refused

Rejection of Berwick Bank would unlock a host of offshore wind projects and protect seabirds.

NATURE charities are calling for action to unlock offshore wind and protect one of Scotland’s wildlife wonders.

As Puffins and Gannets return to Scotland's coasts and islands to raise their chicks, Scottish Ministers are being urged to refuse a major development which threatens the future of seabirds and offshore wind in Scotland.

Mega windfarm Berwick Bank is planned for an area four times the size of the entire City of Edinburgh Council area, just 40Km off the East Lothian coast, close to iconic seabird sites like the Bass Rock and Isle of May.

With turbines the height of six Scott Monuments stacked on top of each other, Berwick Bank is estimated to be so devastating for seabirds it is blocking opportunities for new, less damaging offshore wind projects.

Now RSPB Scotland has joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Seabird Centre and Scottish Wildlife Trust to urge Scottish Ministers to refuse Berwick Bank to protect wildlife and progress less damaging offshore projects.

New offshore wind developments are currently being held back due to their combined impacts with Berwick Bank on Scotland’s globally important seabird populations.

An example of this is Ossian, a similar sized windfarm to Berwick Bank which would generate almost the same amount of electricity. This project, using the latest floating turbine technology, is proposed further offshore, away from key seabird sites.

Ossian alone would reduce the Kittiwake population at St Abb’s Head by up to 13%. This is a significant number, and work would be needed to help populations bounce back.

However, Ossian and Berwick Bank together are expected to reduce the same Kittiwake population by up to a shocking 81%. This would be so disastrous it could fast track Kittiwakes towards extinction.

If Berwick Bank goes ahead, it is almost impossible to imagine that Ossian would be allowed to proceed due to these devastating impacts.

But if Berwick Bank were removed from the picture, it would open a host of opportunities for new, less harmful offshore wind projects across Scotland.

It comes as seabirds already face serious challenges, from Avian Flu to unsustainable fishing practices. Around 70% of seabird species are in decline in Scotland, including much-loved Puffins which face national and global extinction.

Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “Offshore wind has a key role in tackling the climate and nature emergency. We fully support well-sited wind farms which work with nature. But they are being held back by a major spanner in the works.

“Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland’s globally important seabirds. Its impacts are so damaging it is blocking plans for new, less-harmful windfarms.

“As the First Minister said earlier this year: nature should be at the heart of climate action. Our message to the Scottish Government is clear. Refuse Berwick Bank to unlock the full potential of offshore wind while protecting our outstanding wildlife.”

Diarmid Hearns, interim director of conservation and policy at The National Trust for Scotland, said: “The National Trust for Scotland cares for St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, which is home to approximately 45,000 seabirds during breeding season, including protected Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill and Shag species.

“Climate change is one of the biggest threats to seabirds and offshore wind development is important to meet Scotland's climate ambitions, therefore we are fully supportive of it. However, installations must be located with sensitivity to the very habitats we're trying to protect from climate impacts- the proposed site for Berwick Bank is likely to cause high levels of ecological damage and severely impact the seabird colonies at St Abb's Head.

“We urge Ministers to reject the proposal for Berwick Bank and instead focus on advancing proposals in more appropriate locations.”

Harry Huyton, CEO at Scottish Seabird Centre, said: “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 in decline, and Berwick Bank threatens to undermine attempts to restore populations by killing and displacing tens of thousands of seabirds. It is simply the wrong place for an offshore wind farm.

“We want to see a strong and vibrant offshore wind industry in Scotland, which avoids developing sensitive sites for wildlife and actively contributes to nature conservation. Ministers must urgently act for nature and the future of offshore wind by refusing consent to Berwick Bank.”

Jo Pike, chief executive at Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: "Renewable energy developments will be a key component in tackling the climate emergency, but this must be done in a way that also protects nature.

“Scotland's seas are facing the twin nature and climate crises and developments must therefore be strategically placed to avoid damaging already vulnerable species and habitats.

“Refusing consent to Berwick Bank in favour of developments in less sensitive areas would allow for progress towards Net Zero commitments at pace, whilst mitigating the impacts to nature.”

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