– I am very worried. The Norwegian coast is the national road for bird migration. An incredible amount of birds fly past Utsira. There will be major challenges for bird life with the development that is coming. Secretary General of BirdLife Norway, Kjetil Solbakken Photo: BirdLife Norge Secretary General of BirdLife Norway, formerly the Norwegian Ornithological Association, Kjetil Solbakken, talks warmly about the consequences for bird life when Utsira gets 140 large wind turbines right outside the living room door. He does not think it is possible to stop the development. Just before Christmas, the government sent out for consultation a proposal to develop Utsira Nord and Sørlige North Sea 2. – Every renewable energy development is celebrated, but we know too little about what it will mean for severely tested populations of endangered bird species, he says. It is especially seabirds that have their living area and food dishes where the sea windmills will stand. This applies, among other things, to seals, seahorses, cormorants and auks. Many of these are endangered species and are on the red list. – The sea area west of Utsira is an area that many bird species fly through and use during the year. Different types of seabirds have it as their habitat. Wetland birds migrate from the north along the coast to the North Sea, Skagerak and further south. Then there are also land birds that go from the mainland to the continent and Great Britain. A target thrush at Utsira. Photo: Thomas Ystrøm / news During the first half of this year, the government’s aim is to establish which criteria and regulations the companies must comply with when the offshore wind farm is to be developed. Environmental considerations must be taken into account, but beyond that there is little concrete information about bird life. Unique bird life For many, Utsira is known as the municipality that gives the most per inhabitant in the TV campaign. But Utsira is also internationally known for its rich bird life. – Utsira has 26 first-time discoveries of rare bird species. There are as many as the rest of Norway combined. Utsira is one of the best places in Europe to see rare birds, says manager of the Utsira bird station Egil Veen. He leads a voluntary organization that both rings birds and organizes the so-called bomb week every autumn in Utsira. Then birdwatchers come from far and wide to look at the rich bird life. – Utsira is by far the westernmost point in Norway and lies two miles out into the North Sea. This is an area with a lot of bad weather, and many birds seek refuge on the island. In addition, there are many birds that fly long distances and need a break. That’s why they land there. In total, over 300 species have been recorded on the island. Every autumn, birdwatchers gather in so-called bomb week to see and photograph the many rare birds at Utsira. Photo: Lise Andreassen Hagir / news – Utsira can’t screw up a bird. We have said that to all the energy companies that come to visit, says Atle Grimsby, head of environment and agriculture in Utsira. Equinor, Shell, Aker BP and Statkraft are just some of the companies that have visited the municipality in connection with the development plans. The companies would like to be friends with the municipality, which will house 140 offshore wind turbines. The government must decide which ones will be granted a license to expand by this year. The municipality decides nothing But the municipality can neither say yes nor no to the offshore wind turbines, even if two-thirds of the municipality’s area agrees to them. This is because the offshore wind turbines must be located in the sea area where the municipalities have no influence according to the current regulations. Mayor of Utsira Marte Eide Klovning Photo: Johan Mihle Laugaland / news – We want income and jobs to house 140 offshore wind turbines. We want something left to sacrifice our sunset, says Mayor Marte Eide Klovning. – What about the birdlife? Do windmills and bird life go together? – Good question. I hope there will be more facts with the impact assessments that will be carried out. We hope that there will be no negative effects on the rich birdlife for which we are internationally known. Got a response from the Minister of Oil and Energy In the autumn, Minister of Oil and Energy Terje Aasland visited Utsira. Then he received questions from the 10th graders about how the fish and bird life should be taken care of when the offshore wind turbines come. The 10th graders received the answer in a separate letter from the minister: The Norwegian Institute for Natural Research (Nina) is in the process of obtaining data on how many birds migrate past Utsira, where they fly and at what altitudes. On March 1, they set up a radar on the island that will provide data on the migration of birds. – We do not think that the offshore wind turbines are a problem for small birds. Larger birds such as geese find it difficult to manoeuvre, so it is important to find out that they do not move where the wind turbines are to be located, says Grimsby in the municipality. The nearest wind turbines will be located seven kilometers west of the island. In total, they need 1,000 square kilometers of space. By comparison, Greater London is 1,579 square kilometers. Starling is one of the bird species that migrate past Utsira. There are many of them, but the species is in decline. Photo: Jan Erik Røer / BirdLife Norway In BirdLife Norway, they are still very concerned about the consequences of 140 offshore wind turbines outside Utsira. – We fear a mass death of birds. The government has opened up large-scale development without first investigating the consequences for bird life. They hope that it will go well, says Solbakken. – Is there a solution? – There are two important solutions. The first is to use non-killing technology. But the question is whether it is possible. The other is to set up windmills where there are not so many birds. According to Solbakken, the offshore wind turbines are to be set up in the middle of the migration for millions of birds. – The marine areas are our largest wilderness and our largest commons where birds and marine life have lived in peace until now. It is irresponsible to open up development. The state must initiate independent investigations before it is expanded, demands the general secretary of the bird conservation association. Utsira has approximately 200 inhabitants and is Norway’s smallest municipality. Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB
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Fear of mass death of birds when offshore wind turbines are placed “in the middle of the highway” near Utsira – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
