Using monitoring data for defining alternative locations for wind energy projects in protected areas the case of Thrace

Transcription

1 Using monitoring data for defining alternative locations for wind energy projects in protected areas the case of Thrace Ioli Christopoulou, PhD Nature Policy Officer, WWF Greece Ministry of Environment and Energy Windfarms & Biodiversity Seminar 30 November 1 December, 2017 WWF/T. Goupil

2 Content of presentation Renewable energy Ecological value of Thrace Wind energy potential of Thrace Wind farm monitoring Biodiversity conservation vs wind farm development? Proper site selection proposal

3 Εcological Footprint The ecological footprint has more than doubled since the 60s. Carbon is the dominant component of humanity s ecological footprint (43% in % in 2012).

4 Renewable energy WWF Greece believes that a strong contribution of renewable energy in the country s energy mix is necessary to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development. Active participation in relevant public consultations on renewables o RES support scheme Guide books on Renewable Energy for the general public Reports o Solutions to climate change o o Green measures for Greece Road map for the transition of the region of Western Greece to the post-lignite era

5 Renewable energy TILOS project Hybrid system Wind turbine PV Batteries TILOS project characteristics: Tilos designated as a Special Protection Area Participatory process & consultation with the local community

6 Renewable energy WWF proposal for Greece s Long Term Energy Plan 5 scenarios: 3 RES-based, 2 lignite-based RES based scenarios lead to: lower energy costs lower GHG emissions

7 Ecological value of Thrace

8 Ecological value of Thrace Black vulture (Aegypius monachus) Near Threatened (IUCN) Endangered (Greek Red Data Book) Umbrella species Emblematic of Thrace Dadia hosts the last reproducing population of the Balkans o 1990s 6 pairs o Today: ~30-35 pairs and about individuals Nesting area: Dadia National Forest Foraging area: Thrace, Bulgaria &Turkey

9 Ecological value of Thrace Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) Least Concern (IUCN) Vulnerable (Greek Red Data Book) but Critically Endangered in the Greek mainland Follows similar patterns as those of Black Vulture in terms of foraging. Today: ~7 pairs in the region of Evros and Rodopi.

10 Ecological value of Thrace Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) Endangered (IUCN) Critically Endangered (Greek Red Data Book) Migratory species, uses Thrace for nesting, reproduction Alarming data: Today: 4-5 territories in Thrace

11 Ecological value of Thrace Thrace is also one of the most important sites for other birds of prey and other resident and migratory species. o 36 of the 38 diurnal raptor species of Europe o 3 out of 4 vulture species of Europe The area is characterized by a high incidence of protected areas. The ecology of hosted bird species means connectivity between sites is of vital conservation importance. Thrace s combination of forests and rural landscape constitutes the necessary habitat for these species.

12 Ecological value of Thrace 8 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) 2 National Parks 7 Natura 2000 sites: 7 Special Protection Areas (SPAs, Birds Dir. 2009/147/EC) 4 Special Areas of Conservation (SCI/SACs, Habitats Dir. 92/43/EEC)

13 Thrace is a region with high wind potential Wind energy potential of Thrace

14 Wind energy potential of Thrace Thrace designated as a Wind Priority Area (WPA1) under the RES Spatial Plan 960 MW (could reach 480 2MW turbines)

15 Wind energy potential of Thrace High wind farm investment interest o Operational license 14 wind farms, 200 WT, 283 MW 183 WT, 258 MW in WPA o o o Installation license 12 wind farms, 64 WT, 156 MW 36 WT, 82,5MW in WPA1 Environmental terms approval 3 wind farms, 27 WT, 66,8 MW 8 WT, 22 MW in WPA1 Production license: 44 wind farms, 448 WT, 1043,2 MW 162 WT, 293 MW in WPA

16 Wind farm investments in Thrace

17 Wind farm investments in Thrace

18 Wind farm monitoring Investigated bird behavior and bird space use Carcass searches in 127 out of the 163 WTs in combination with observer detection trials and scavenger removal trials o 4 Griffon vultures o 1 Booted eagle, 11 birds of various other species o 8 bats Mortality rate: raptors/wt/year & vultures/wt/year Daily carcass searches in 88 out of the 163 WTs o 1 Black vulture o 2 Short toed eagles o 3 Common buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Marsh harrier, 73 birds of various other species o 186 bats Mortality rate: raptors/wt/year & 0.02 Black vultures/wt/year

19 Biodiversity conservation vs wind farm development? If the whole carrying capacity of 960MW in wind turbines is established, we estimated the number of dead birds to be: 80 raptors, ofwhich10 vultures per year 100s of bats per year This rate of loss constitutes a significant threat to the survival of the protected bird populations in Thrace. A revised approach to wind farm site selection is needed.

20 Proper site selection proposal Black vulture movement monitoring data Two methods: Radio-telemetry data monitoring Satellite data monitoring

21 Proper site selection proposal Exclusion zone Core range areas in the region, signaling the critical habitat areas including nesting sites and feeding areas of the Black vulture Most common night roosting areas Most common vulture flight areas Key feeding areas for young individuals Increased protection zone Significant presence of the Black vulture critical habitat areas, especially as flight zones

22 Proper site selection proposal Additional exclusion zones Two National Parks o Dadia National park o Evros Delta national park (significant Ramsar site is excluded) Griffon vulture colony: the most important colony in terrestrial Greece and site for communication between neighboring colonies and feeding areas. Pine forest Loutros: Important for several territorial birds of prey and the Black Stork.

23 Proper site selection proposal Known and active nesting sites of territorial birds Exclusion zone: minimum radius of 1 Km around each nesting site. Increased protection zone: 5 Km around each nesting site. No exclusion zone for the Egyptian vulture was proposed due to the pending (at the time) species action plan, which was elaborated in 2015 and approved in 2017.

24 Proper site selection proposal

25 Proper site selection proposal

26 Recent data Vasilakis DP, Whitfield DP, Kati V (2017) A balanced solution to the cumulative threat of industrialized wind farm development on cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) in south-eastern Europe. PLoS ONE 12(2): e doi: / journal.pone

27 Biodiversity conservation AND wind farm development Areas suitable for wind farm installation based on high wind capacity. Total wind capacity: 1620MW

28 A.Bonetti / WWF Greece Thank you for your attention!

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