Claims Berwick Bank Wind Farm could be deadliest for birds

SSE Renewables' planned 300-turbine Berwick Bank Wind Farm, off the East Lothian coast, has been labelled what could be the "world’s deadliest windfarm for birds" by the RSPB and other conservation organisations.

RSPB Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, the Scottish Seabird Centre and the Scottish Wildlife Trust have jointly urged First Minister John Swinney to halt the project.

Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "Berwick Bank is the deadliest windfarm for birds we are aware of anywhere on the planet.

"It could devastate entire colonies of seabirds and help to wipe out some species from the face of Scotland entirely."

The Scottish Government’s own assessment shows the wind farm is predicted to kill 2,808 guillemots, 814 kittiwakes, 260 gannets, 154 razorbills and 65 puffins in the first year alone.

Ms McCall said: "Scotland’s seabird colonies are one of our national treasures, from the puffins of the Isle of May to the gannets of Bass Rock.

"One third of all Europe’s seabirds breed in Scotland and they need our protection now more than ever.

"We support renewable energy, but not at any cost."

The groups argue that required seabird compensation measures cannot offset the scale of ecological harm they believe the project would cause.

They are calling for alternative, lower-impact offshore wind projects to be prioritised.

Diarmid Hearns, interim director of conservation and policy at the National Trust for Scotland, said: "Stopping Berwick Bank is the best way to protect the seabird colonies of St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve and all over the east coast."

Calum Duncan, head of policy and advocacy at the Marine Conservation Society, said: "We must address the climate and nature crises together.

"Developing offshore wind sites in the wrong place risks accelerating the decline of ocean wildlife, from puffins to porpoise."

Berwick Bank Wind Farm was granted consent by the Scottish Government on July 31.

The Government has asked SSE Renewables to provide "sufficient" seabird compensation as part of the development.

An SSE spokesperson said: “We understand and respect people’s concerns about seabirds at Berwick Bank.

"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.

"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, and deliver for both the climate and our iconic seabirds.”