RSPB Scotland and several environmental charities have called on First Minister John Swinney to overturn the Scottish government’s approval of SSE Renewables’ 4.1-gigawatt (GW) Berwick Bank offshore wind project, citing risks to seabird populations along Scotland’s east coast.
In a joint letter, the organisations warned the project could have “severe” and “damaging” impacts on internationally significant seabird colonies if constructed.
“(We) urge your government to reverse this damaging decision and protect the future of Scotland’s internationally important seabirds,” the groups said.
The coalition — comprising RSPB Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the National Trust for Scotland and the Scottish Seabird Centre — stated that while they support offshore wind expansion, “it cannot be at any cost.”
They said the Berwick Bank site lies within “vital feeding grounds for seabirds from iconic sites like the Bass Rock, the Isle of May and St Abb’s Head,” warning that the project’s effects “could fast track species like Kittiwake to local, or even national, extinction.”
The Scottish government granted planning consent for the Berwick Bank project in July, subject to the developer producing a detailed seabird compensation plan before construction begins.
RSPB Scotland said it believes it would be “impossible” to offset what it described as “unprecedented ecological devastation” caused by the project.
An SSE spokesperson said the company understands concerns raised by conservation groups but argued that the project will play a key role in addressing climate change.
“The biggest threat to Scotland’s seabirds is climate change, and Berwick Bank will help tackle this by displacing over eight million tonnes of carbon emissions each year,” the spokesperson said. “With consent now granted after a decade of meticulous planning and sensitive design, we’re committed to working constructively with stakeholders to deliver measures intended to fully compensate for the development’s predicted impacts.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said ministers “recognise that the area is highly important for wildlife,” noting that approval was conditional on the submission of a seabird compensation plan for review.
“We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation, to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users and to balance the needs of people and nature,” the spokesperson said.
