Wildfires which devastated much of the Moray countryside in the north of Scotland last year have led to increased environmental benefits being proposed by Europe’s largest renewable energy producer.

Work on Statkraft’s proposed extension to the Berry Burn Wind Farm, near Forres, has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Project Award, at the Scottish Renewables ‘Green Energy Awards’. In April 2019, a catastrophic wildfire spread throughout the site causing damage to precious habitats and threatening the project all together. The fire burnt for over a week and it took some time to ensure that peat fires were extinguished, and safe access could be allowed.

Unfortunately, the habitats and vegetation across a large area - including the entire proposed extension area – were utterly devastated.

Experts from ecological consultancy Avian Ecology worked tirelessly to ensure the project could continue by working with NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage) and the local community to find ways to restore and then enhance the biodiversity of the site.

Avian Ecology mapped out an engagement approach, with a high emphasis on early and on-going consultation with NatureScot to deliver an innovative habitat management plan that would bring a biodiversity net gain to the fire-damaged area, helping to turn around the catastrophe. In addition, they proposed measures to prevent the spreading of future wildfires, reducing the chance of such extensive damage reoccurring. The plan was carefully designed so as to provide improved peatland habitats for wildlife and carbon storage, providing clear benefits over and above those already in place for the operational Berry Burn Wind Farm.

That work has now been recognised for its quality with the shortlisting for the prestigious Green Energy Awards.

Mícheál Ó Broin, Senior Development Manager at Statkraft said: “Avian Ecology has exceeded our expectations. Their innovative ideas to minimise impacts to the natural environment is paramount in this industry as we work towards our ambitious net-zero target. We are delighted that this project partnership is getting the recognition it deserves.”

Howard Fearn, Director at Avian Ecology Limited said: “The devastating wildfire of April 2019 significantly impeded our normal process to survey and assess ecological impacts of the proposed extension. An entirely new approach was required, and we recognised this as an opportunity to increase the environmental benefits the project could deliver. It required innovative thinking and a close-working relationship with NatureScot. The wind farm extension would enable a significant biodiversity gain through improving peat habitats, accelerating recovery from fire damage and reducing damage from future wildfires.”

Due to Covid-19, this year’s Awards event will be held online on Thursday 26 November.

The Committee’s 2020 report to Parliament assesses progress in reducing UK emissions over the past year.

This year, the report includes new advice to the UK Government on securing a green and resilient recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic. It recommends that Ministers seize the opportunity to turn the COVID-19 crisis into a defining moment in the fight against climate change. For the first time, the Committee sets out its recommendations Government department by Government department.

The power sector has been a major success story in the past decade. Emissions have decreased around 62% over the period 2008 – 2018 reflecting real decarbonisation of energy produced in the UK.

One key finding from the report is further strengthening of the energy network - this is where our Greener Grid Parks fit in. Contact us to discuss this project further, we look forward to hearing from you.

Statkraft, Europe's largest generator of renewable energy, have notified local residents and community leaders of a new proposal in the area to improve the grid network.

Located east of the existing Feckenham National Grid Substation, the site has been selected due to its proximity to Feckenham North National Grid Substation, preventing the need for lengthy transmission cables. View the Location Plan.

A consultation on the project will take place between 25 September – 23 October 2020, and will enable those interested to find out more and have their say before a planning application is submitted to Redditch Council.

Project Manager Lucy Kent says: "This is a vital project that will help the UK achieve its target of zero carbon emissions by 2050. This new technology will mean GB's energy system will be able to handle increasing amounts of renewable energy without relying on coal and gas fired turbines."

As well as supporting the transition to renewable energy and balancing the grid, the development will also deliver the following benefits:

• Retention of existing trees, hedges and ponds
• Additional landscaping including hedge and tree planting around the site boundaries
• The creation of a new pond to store surface water and deliver habitat improvements for wildlife
• A significant ‘net gain’ in biodiversity as a result of the landscape scheme and new ponds
• ‘Betterment’ in terms of surface water drainage, in an area which is vulnerable to flooding by storing more surface water on site and releasing slowly into the surrounding environment than at present.