The Rail, Engineering, Energy, Renewables, Power Blog

Europe’s largest onshore wind farm project has been thrown in severe doubt after the RSPB and official government agencies lodged formal objections to the 150-turbine plan, it emerged on Tuesday.

The proposed 550MW wind farm, sprawling across the centre of Shetland’s main island, would add almost 20% to existing onshore wind capacity. But the objectors say the plans could seriously damage breeding sites for endangered birds, including a rare wader, the whimbrel, which was unexpectedly discovered by the wind farm developer’s own environmental survey teams. Other species at risk include the red throated diver, golden plover and merlin. (more…)