FCS Measures for Wind Energy

Why wind energy poses special requirements

Wind turbines can conflict with special species protection under § 44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act, above all through the collision risk for large birds and birds of prey as well as bats. Where the prohibition on killing and injury cannot be ruled out through avoidance, an exemption under § 45 BNatSchG may be considered. It is subject to conditions, which include measures to secure the favourable conservation status.

What FCS measures achieve

FCS measures act at the level of the local population. The aim is to maintain or improve the conservation status of the affected species so that the project does not worsen it. Unlike an advance CEF measure, which functionally replaces a specific habitat site, an FCS measure acts on the population as a whole and may be developed over a certain period.

Typical measures

For red kite and other birds of prey, the targeted creation of attractive foraging areas at a safe distance from the turbines is suitable, for example extensively mown grassland with a good prey supply that draws the birds away from the rotors. For bats, upgrading and securing roost habitats and developing insect-rich foraging habitats are options. In addition, shutdown periods are often set for wind turbines as an avoidance measure, which further defuses the species protection conflict.

Relationship to the impact mitigation regulation

Special species protection under §§ 44 and 45 BNatSchG must be distinguished from the general impact mitigation regulation. A wind project can require both compensation for the impact on nature and landscape and species protection measures. Both levels must be assessed separately and coordinated for the specific project.

How greeNature helps

greeNature designs and implements species protection measures for wind energy projects, from the technical derivation through securing land to implementation, management and accompanying monitoring. We coordinate the measures with the relevant nature conservation authorities and document their effectiveness.