University of Santiago de Compostela and International Mire Conservarion Group
In line with the UNFCC/Kyoto agenda, it looks as though the European Union will require its members collectively to derive 20% of energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Onshore wind power generation is currently regarded as the most viable technology, and already wind farms seem to be appearing everywhere. In oceanic countries, many of the preferred sites are on peatland. It has even been suggested that windfarms compete with peatland for gently sloping upland locations, where the wind resource is most favourable.
The environmental impact studies that are carried out for these wind farm proposals usually predict rather small effects on the peatland habitat. But wind farm construction in Ireland triggered a catastrophic "bog slide" at Derrybrien which seemed to belie this expectation and led to questions about the adequacy of a planning process that took no account of the special characteristics of peatland. Certainly, the engineering work (peat removal, drainage, road construction, blasting) required to install a wind farm resembles operations that have in the past been associated with the degradation of peatlands, reduction of their biodiversity and loss of their ability to deliver other goods and services. On the other hand, some of the peatlands targeted are substantially degraded, and opportunities for their restoration are flagged as potential secondary benefits from wind farm development.
Worldwide, the development of wind power in Spain is surpassed only by that in Germany. At present, Galicia hosts 22.41% of Spains total installed capacity at 2,603 MW (01 January 2007), with planned increases to 3,400 MW by 2010 and 6,500 MW by 2012. It already has the greatest intensity of wind power worldwide, at 88 kW per square metre, and the strings of turbines on mountain ridges stretch as far as the eye can see (IMCG Newsletter 2007/1, page 14).
Around 80% of the 10,000 ha of Galician mountain peatlands are located within the European Site of Community Importance (SCI) "Serras Septentrionais (Serra do Xistral, Macizo da Toxiza and Montes de Buio)", which will be integrated into the EU Natura 2000 network and forms part of the Biosphere Reserve "Terras do Miño". Although the principal justification for these designations was the peatland interest of the area, the peatlands are, paradoxically, seriously threatened by the 'Galician Wind Power Plan' as well as by other activities. There were no wind farms in the "Serras Septentrionais" in 1998, but now there are 23 (680 turbines, 580 MW in total). The turbines and infrastructure associated with each wind farm directly occupy, on average, 4.6 ha of ground. This huge expansion of wind farms has affected all types of mires in a variety of geomorphological locations, from blanket and raised bogs to fens, and the Galician Government has plans for further expansion of wind generation capacity in this area.
It seems that the UK is hotly pursuing Galicia in this regard. Work began on Europes largest wind farm to date at the 55 km2 Whitelee site on peaty moorland to the south of Glasgow (140 turbines, 322 MW) in October 2006. Debate continues over an even larger proposal for the peat-covered west-coast island of Lewis (initially 234 turbines, ca. 702 MW) where peatland that is designated for nature conservation may also be affected, and further giant developments on peatland are expected.
This symposium will provide a forum for scientists, policy-makers and practitioners dealing with these matters to exchange insights and experience; and to begin working towards a common understanding of the issues, the formulation of principles for 'wise/best practice' and the identification of research needs and priorities. The attractive location of Santiago de Compostela (UNESCO World Heritage City since 1985) in northern Spain will allow us to visit the virtually unknown mires of the Galician mountains, both with and without wind farm development, and a subsidiary aim will be to promote a wise use plan for these mires. We also plan to launch a more general IMCG initiative on peatlands and energy.
Wind Farms on Peatland: A Symposium
Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 27-30 April 2008Background and Purpose
Block I of IMCG´s 2007-2010 Action Plan focuses on the implications for peatlands of energy-related issues. These include the utilisation of oil and gas reserves, fuel peat policy, and the development of renewable energy resources for climate change mitigation (e.g. wind, hydropower, energy crops, biomass). This symposium will be the first activity within the theme, and it will focus on the intersection of European policy for wind farm development with peatland interests.In line with the UNFCC/Kyoto agenda, it looks as though the European Union will require its members collectively to derive 20% of energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Onshore wind power generation is currently regarded as the most viable technology, and already wind farms seem to be appearing everywhere. In oceanic countries, many of the preferred sites are on peatland. It has even been suggested that windfarms compete with peatland for gently sloping upland locations, where the wind resource is most favourable.
The environmental impact studies that are carried out for these wind farm proposals usually predict rather small effects on the peatland habitat. But wind farm construction in Ireland triggered a catastrophic "bog slide" at Derrybrien which seemed to belie this expectation and led to questions about the adequacy of a planning process that took no account of the special characteristics of peatland. Certainly, the engineering work (peat removal, drainage, road construction, blasting) required to install a wind farm resembles operations that have in the past been associated with the degradation of peatlands, reduction of their biodiversity and loss of their ability to deliver other goods and services. On the other hand, some of the peatlands targeted are substantially degraded, and opportunities for their restoration are flagged as potential secondary benefits from wind farm development.
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| Blanket bog at Serra do Xistral before and after the installation of a wind farm. Author: Xabier Pontevedra |
Worldwide, the development of wind power in Spain is surpassed only by that in Germany. At present, Galicia hosts 22.41% of Spains total installed capacity at 2,603 MW (01 January 2007), with planned increases to 3,400 MW by 2010 and 6,500 MW by 2012. It already has the greatest intensity of wind power worldwide, at 88 kW per square metre, and the strings of turbines on mountain ridges stretch as far as the eye can see (IMCG Newsletter 2007/1, page 14).
Around 80% of the 10,000 ha of Galician mountain peatlands are located within the European Site of Community Importance (SCI) "Serras Septentrionais (Serra do Xistral, Macizo da Toxiza and Montes de Buio)", which will be integrated into the EU Natura 2000 network and forms part of the Biosphere Reserve "Terras do Miño". Although the principal justification for these designations was the peatland interest of the area, the peatlands are, paradoxically, seriously threatened by the 'Galician Wind Power Plan' as well as by other activities. There were no wind farms in the "Serras Septentrionais" in 1998, but now there are 23 (680 turbines, 580 MW in total). The turbines and infrastructure associated with each wind farm directly occupy, on average, 4.6 ha of ground. This huge expansion of wind farms has affected all types of mires in a variety of geomorphological locations, from blanket and raised bogs to fens, and the Galician Government has plans for further expansion of wind generation capacity in this area.
It seems that the UK is hotly pursuing Galicia in this regard. Work began on Europes largest wind farm to date at the 55 km2 Whitelee site on peaty moorland to the south of Glasgow (140 turbines, 322 MW) in October 2006. Debate continues over an even larger proposal for the peat-covered west-coast island of Lewis (initially 234 turbines, ca. 702 MW) where peatland that is designated for nature conservation may also be affected, and further giant developments on peatland are expected.
This symposium will provide a forum for scientists, policy-makers and practitioners dealing with these matters to exchange insights and experience; and to begin working towards a common understanding of the issues, the formulation of principles for 'wise/best practice' and the identification of research needs and priorities. The attractive location of Santiago de Compostela (UNESCO World Heritage City since 1985) in northern Spain will allow us to visit the virtually unknown mires of the Galician mountains, both with and without wind farm development, and a subsidiary aim will be to promote a wise use plan for these mires. We also plan to launch a more general IMCG initiative on peatlands and energy.
Symposium Sessions
Session 1. Peatland wind farms: how much, how many?- The drivers: policy and economics
- Present and projected extent of wind farm development on peatland
- Effects of turbine bases, borrow pits and miscellaneous infrastructure
- Road construction methods, effects of roads
- Hydrological effects
- Peat stability and erosion
- Secondary effects
- Carbon issues
- Biodiversity issues
- Effects on landscape
- Archaeological considerations
- Social aspects
- What is special about peatlands in this context?
- EIA/ES requirements for peatland wind farms
- How should industrial development on peatland be monitored?
- What can we learn from mistakes?
- How do the principles of peatland wise use apply?
- Case studies demonstrating positive and negative outcomes for peatlands
- What are the "win-win" scenarios?
Version 46.1 last modified by Ricardo Rodríguez on 01/05/2008 at 20:21
