Photos: Gordonbush , Brora (top: current, bottom: photomontage)

WIND FARMS, EIA & PEAT Jane MacDonald Environmental Manager • SSE Renewables is the renewableSSE Renewablesenergy development division of SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy plc). The Company has responsibility for the development of onshore and offshore wind farms in the UK, Ireland and Europe, as well as developing hydro and marine projects.

• In all, SSE now has 3,660MW of renewable energy capacity (onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro and dedicated biomass) in operation, under construction or with consent for development in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

(May 2010) OPPORTUNITY OR LOSS?

….. a debate for another day.

Photo: Braes of Doune Wind Farm, Stirling Wind Farms and Peatland Good Practice Principles

(September 2010, SRF, RSPB, SWT, WWF and FoE Scotland)

1. Avoid significant adverse effects through appropriate siting of wind farms. 2. Implement good practice and habitat restoration with stakeholder engagement. 3. Improve the knowledge base through scientific monitoring and sharing of data. 4. Engagement of the renewables industry to provide support for applied research to better understand the impacts on biodiversity, carbon and hydrology. Development Stages

Site Selection, Scoping and Early Consultation

Identification of Issues& EIA

Wind Farm Layout iteration Process

Environmental Statement (ES) to Planning

Review of ES by Consultees & Further Info

Planning Decision

Pre-construction (planning condition discharge and principle contractor appointment)

Construction (On-going consultation and monitoring)

Operation (ISO14001 EMS)

Decommissioning EIA AND WIND FARM LAYOUT ITERATIONS 1. Habitat Surveys Wind 2. Peat Probing:- Resource i) Peat stability assessment • “Peat Landslide and Hazard Risk Assessment: Best Topography Practice Guide for Proposed Electricity Generation and Other Developments” Scottish Government, January 2007). Physical ii) Peat excavation and reuse assessment. Constraints • “Floating Roads on Peat”, Forestry Civil Engineering and SNH, August 2010. (access, land Avoidance • Imminent publication: “Good Practice in Wind Farm ownership Construction”, SNH / SEPA / industry collaboration. etc) Reduction • In preparation: SEPA / industry collaborative guidance

Compensation on excavation and reuse of peat. 1. Habitat Management Plan 4. Carbon Payback Assessment 5. Site Environmental Management Plan PRE-CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION IMPLEMENTATION • Good design and careful planning which began at the EIA stage continues with further more intrusive ground investigations, additional surveys, and detailed design SEMP: works. PPP • Mitigation during construction is achieved through DMP “Good Practice in Wind Farm Construction” and WQMP adoption of stringent Site Environmental Management SWMP Plan (built into the main civils contract and therefore mechanism for ensuring Contractor adherence). EMRP EPP • Habitat Management Plans (through to ERP decommissioning – ~25yrs) Gordonbush Wind Farm, Brora. The primary objective of the HMP is to mitigate potential adverse effects of the wind farm upon golden eagle, merlin and golden plover.

The secondary objective is to enhance peatland and native woodland habitats and species, and to promote black grouse habitat.

- SEMP - CLAD Research - Ornithological Research (RSPB) , ABINGTON

• HMA = 3,150 ha • Encompasses a variety of upland habitats managed for hill-farming and commercial forestry. • Multiple landowners , SHETLAND

• Original ES submitted 2009. Addendum submitted this week. • Revised scheme reduced from 150 to 127 turbines – in response to objections. • Many turbines and tracks deleted or moved on account of potentially significant peat impacts. • HMP: - significant area proposed for restoration of peatland. - Primary objective is to ensure that predicted wind farm impacts are reduced to such an extent that Favourable Conservation Status is not significantly affected. - Secondary objective is to alleviate ecological impacts arising from past and present land management practices through conservation, enhancement and restoration of native habitats to yield a net ecological gain. KEY MESSAGES TO THE INDUSTRY AND STAKEHOLDERS

1. MONITOR & RECORD RESULTS (GOOD OR BAD)

2. WORK IN PARTNERSHIP & EXCHANGE KNOWLEDGE

3. PROMOTE THE RIGHT MESSAGES & DEVELOP APPROPRIATE COLLABORATIVE GUIDANCE (HOPEFULLY INFORMED BY 1.) THANK YOU