Environmentalists' dilemma

Wind energy is a symbol of the energy future, and regarded positively by most people. However, when it comes to concrete implementation, things get more difficult: Not only for the affected residents in the area of the site, but for nature enthusiasts as well. The elegant giants are a danger for birds and bats.

The Energy Strategy 2050 adopted by Swiss voters on 21 May 2017 is intended to foster the transformation of the Swiss energy system and promote renewable energies. In addition to subsidy measures, Article 12 of the Energy Act is significant here. In the article, renewable energies and their expansion beyond a certain magnitude are designated as being of national interest. What sounds rather banal has great relevance.

New prioritisation of interests

The interest in expanding renewable energies is put on equal terms with other national interests. In concrete terms: It will be possible to erect hydro or wind power plants in areas that fall under the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance (BLN).

For environmentalists this is a painful concession even though natural habitats and sanctuaries remain under absolute protection. Here Pro Natura's statement: "Pro Natura welcomes the stronger protection of natural habitats of national importance from a nature and landscape perspective (...). From a landscape protection perspective, the unnecessary expansion of the range of energy facilities of national importance remains a drawback." In addition: "All projects will, however, be subject to an assessment of interests."

Precisely this assessment of interests – what is more important: The expansion of renewable energies or maintaining certain landscapes? – will certainly keep authorities busy. However, the goal of the new provision is clear: The new weighting will provide better opportunities for the expansion of renewable energies.

Numerous hurdles

Realising wind farms in a small country like Switzerland will remain particularly challenging as different interests collide (article about CKW and wind energy). Problems are not restricted to noise plagued local residents or development: The impacts of wind energy plants on birds and bats are a regular topic.

Wind plants are potentially dangerous to both species. Bats as well as birds can collide with the rotor blades because they cannot see or gauge their movement. When wind conditions are good, the speed at the outer edge of a rotor blade can be over 200 km/h. The strong suction created by rotation can also be fatal for smaller birds and bats.

First concrete results

How big is the problem for birds really? To get a step closer to the answer, the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach conducted a study in the area of the wind power plant Le Peuchapatte (Canton of Jura) on behalf of the Federal Office of Energy. From March to November 2015, the environment around the wind plant was regularly and systematically searched for strike victims. Over the same time period quantitative radar measurements were also carried out in order to see if there was a connection between the intensity of bird migration and the frequency of strike victims. Results showed that there is a connection. However, the issue is much more complex than expected. With a calculated collision rate of nearly 2%, or 20 victims per wind energy plant and year, the victim numbers were higher than expected. These numbers must not be generalised: "The results may be applied to topographically similar areas where migratory birds travel in broad formations and are not dependent on thermal. However, the applicability to alpine locations or locations in central Switzerland are not given," the institute writes in its report.

Location selection as the key factor

The simplest form of minimising danger to birds and bats would be to select locations with the lowest possible occurrence of species, and to especially avoid areas with a concentration of migratory birds. A look at the conflict potential map for migratory birds indicates: In principle, the Alpine region would be best suited. However, the map is based on computer modelling that is rather inaccurate for bird migration in the Alpine region. Furthermore, these areas often lack the required infrastructure such as access roads and drainage, which would make the construction of a wind farm de facto impossible both in terms of costs and the environment.

Furthermore: If one looks at the analogue map for nesting and migrating birds, the picture is totally different:

Therefore, the maps can only serve as an initial, rough orientation aid. As in every larger-scale project, the local circumstances must be examined in order to assess, among other things, the wind project impacts on the environment. Ultimately it is also clear: Conflicts of interest can hardly be avoided and weighing the interests will remain difficult.