Wind Turbines (Wildlife Protection) Bill

A

BILL

TO

Make provision for adequate protection to wildlife with regards to the construction and operation of wind turbines used for electricity generation.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Section 1: Planning Permission

(1) No relevant authority may grant planning permission or development consent for the construction of a wind turbine generator unless it meets the requirements outlined under Section 2.

(2) “Relevant authority” means the local authority or government department with the power to grant planning permission for, or where applicable,the Secretary of State with the power to grant development consent for a wind turbine generator.

(3) Relevant authorities must take appropriate steps to require the alteration of existing wind turbines to achieve compliance with Section 2.

Section 2: Requirements

(1) All wind turbines must adhere to the following:

(a) One of the blades must be painted in its entirety with non-reflective black paint.

(b) An ultrasonic deterrent device intended to deter bats must be attached to the turbine housing, and allowed to operate while the turbine is in motion.

(2) Already existing wind turbines as of the date of assent must be brought to the standard of these requirements no later than one year after the date of assent.

Section 3: Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to England only.

(2) This Act comes into force at the end of the period of four weeks beginning with the day on which it is passed.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Wind Turbines (Wildlife Protection) Act 2023.

This Bill was written by /u/Ruijormar, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on behalf of His Majesty’s 32nd Government.

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

As we shift towards renewable energy sources, wind turbines have become an increasingly popular source of electricity. However, these structures also pose a significant threat to the safety of aerial wildlife. Every year in the UK, it is estimated that up to 80,000 bats and 100,000 birds die from collisions with the blades of wind turbines as they migrate or search for food.

A recent study brought to my attention, conducted over ten years at a wind farm on an island off the coast of Norway, reported on average a 71.9% reduction in bird carcasses found in the areas surrounding specific turbines which had one of their blades painted black when compared to neighboring turbines studied as control.

As for our nocturnal, non-feathered friends, of which all species present in our country are protected by law, another study looked into the effectiveness of ultrasonic deterrent devices at keeping them away from the blades. These work by emitting ultrasound to hinder the bats’ echolocation in the area surrounding the turbine, thus preventing them from foraging in said area and causing them to avoid it, which reported an average 50% reduction of fatalities.

The measures presented by this bill, when compared to environmental curtailment, offer increased effectiveness coupled with the benefit of avoiding the associated loss in power generation and subsequent fossil fuel usage to make up the difference. I therefore invite the House to join us in supporting our country’s wildlife and environment. Thank you.

This division will end on Friday 27th January at 10pm GMT.