RSPB voices concern over 1.8-GW Hornsea 2 offshore wind giant

The UK government's decision to approve the 1.8-GW Hornsea Two offshore wind project is devastating for iconic seabirds, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

UK business and energy secretary Greg Clark on Tuesday granted development consent for the project by Danish utility Dong Energy A/S (CPH:DENERG) that would see up to 300 turbines erected off the Yorkshire coast.

The conservation charity said that while supporting the shift to renewables, it opposes the project as it poses an unacceptably high risk to seabirds that nest on the Yorkshire coast. In particular, it has submitted data from satellite-tracked birds showing that the Hornsea Two site would be in the flight path of two threatened species - gannets and kittiwakes. The project, in combination with other North Sea wind farms poses an unacceptable level of threat to these species, as well as potential effects for guillemots, razorbills and puffins, RSPB says. It is disappointed that its analysis has not led to the rejection of the scheme.

"We have looked at the plans, and tried to work with the developer, but do not feel the ecological mitigation measures proposed are in any way adequate, and Hornsea Project Two continues to pose an unacceptable risk to nature," said Gwyn Williams, head of reserves and protected Areas. "We are now even more concerned for the future of the Flamborough to Filey seabirds if the developers of the Hornsea zone bring forward their next two phases," Williams added.

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