Wind power beneficiaries suspected of destroying protected bird habitat to make way for wind farms

Environmentalists suspect trees that provide a habitat for protected birds of prey have been cut down to make way for a wind farm in the German costal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Maik Baumgärtner writes for Spiegel Online. Wildlife NGO Nabu says “this may have been done by citizens who will benefit economically from a planned wind farm”. Baumgärtner says similar incidents have already occurred at potential wind farm locations. Lars Lachman of Nabu argues that tighter environmental regulations on wind farms have put birds at risk. “The animals used to have no influence on the farms” but now their presence can block expansion, meaning some may conclude “they have to go,” he says. The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) says it is aware of the problem and calls on German prosecutors to show “more determination” in finding those responsible. The BWE is also mulling offering rewards for leads to offenders, the article says.

Find the article in German here (paywall).

For more information on controversies over wind power, see the CLEW factsheet Fighting windmills: when growth hits resistance.