Is there a potential for the wind turbines to harm birds?

The impact of wind turbines on both birds and bats has been a key consideration of our initial environmental and technical feasibility studies. Windfarms can harm birds through disturbance, displacement, acting as barriers, habitat loss and collision. However, the impacts of onshore windfarms can be minimised through thorough design processes.

The colour of the wind turbines can help birds and bats to identify the wind turbines from the air as white will stand-out against the brown/green backdrop of the land.

Interactions between hen harriers and wind turbines - the slower rotational speed of the larger wind turbines is significantly less likely to cause harm than smaller faster rotating domestic scale turbines.

Ornithology collision risk modelling is one of the major areas which will be included as part of the wider Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in phase two of the project, and any possible impact will be actively mitigated within the design of the windfarm itself.

Following construction of the turbines, we will continue to monitor the impact on wildlife and take measures to reduce any adverse impact identified.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) also notes that, in the context of rapid and unprecedented renewables expansion, avoiding and reducing harm will not be enough to give nature a chance. Manx Utilities plan for the deployment of onshore wind turbines is pragmatic and we are not seeking to install more power than the Island’s average demand. Our transition programme is ensuring we gradually roll-out renewable technologies across our Island, to enable our wildlife to have time to adapt to the changes.