How will the Berwick Bank wind farm affect puffins?

The RSPB warns that the Berwick Bank wind farm could push puffins in Scotland towards extinction due to its potential impact on bird populations.

What is the scale of the Berwick Bank wind farm project?

Berwick Bank is planned to be the world's largest offshore wind farm, featuring 300 turbines with a capacity of 4.1 gigawatts.

What are the long-term energy price implications of new wind farms?

Subsidies for new offshore wind farms are locking households into higher energy prices for the next 20 years, according to recent announcements.

Home / Environment / Wind Farm Threatens Puffins With Extinction

Wind Farm Threatens Puffins With Extinction

15 Jan

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Summary

Berwick Bank wind farm could cause extinction of puffins and kittiwakes.
The project is one of the largest offshore wind farms globally.
New subsidies lock families into higher energy prices for decades.

Wind Farm Threatens Puffins With Extinction

The proposed Berwick Bank wind farm in Scotland is facing severe criticism from the RSPB, which warns it could drive puffins and kittiwakes to the edge of extinction. This project, planned to be the world's largest offshore wind farm with 300 turbines, is situated near vital seabird feeding grounds.

Scottish government figures project significant annual bird deaths, including thousands of guillemots and hundreds of puffins. Anne McCall of RSPB Scotland calls it the 'deadliest wind farm for birds,' questioning the use of public money for such a damaging development.

However, the energy company SSE argues the wind farm is crucial for combating climate change, the primary threat to seabirds. The announcement coincides with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband securing contracts for six new wind farms, projected to add £1.8 billion annually to energy bills and lock consumers into high prices.