Producing wind energy at the cost of biodiversity: A stakeholder view on agreen-green dilemma

• Published in: Journal of renewable and sustainable energy 2019-11, Vol.11 (6)
• Main Authors: Voigt, Christian C, Straka, Tanja M, Fritze, Marcus
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Clean energy; Ecological monitoring; Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Energy industry; Energy policy; Renewable energy; Wind power; Wind turbines
• ISSN: 1941-7012

Although renewable energy production is widely accepted as clean, it is not necessarilyenvironmental neutral since, for example, wind turbines kill large numbers of airborneanimals such as bats. Consequently, stakeholders involved in the planning and operation ofwind turbines are often in conflict when trying to reconcile both goals, namely, promotingwind energy production and protecting bats. We report the responses to an onlinequestionnaire sent out to stakeholders to assess this conflict. More than 80% ofstakeholders acknowledged the conflict between bat conservation and wind energyproduction; yet, the majority was confident about solutions and all desired anecologically sustainable energy transition. All groups, except members of the wind energysector, disagreed with the statements that wind energy production is of higher prioritythan biodiversity protection and that global warming is more critical than thebiodiversity crisis. All groups agreed that more measures have to be taken to make windenergy production ecologically sustainable and that the society should be included to payfor the implementation of these measures. All stakeholders except for members of the windenergy sector agreed on that revenue losses from wind energy production and delays in thetransition process should be acceptable to resolve the green–green dilemma. Among offeredchoices, most stakeholders suggested engaging in more research, improving the efficiencyof energy use and implementing context dependent cut-in speed during wind turbineoperation. The suggestion to weaken the legal protection of wildlife species was dismissedby all, underlining the consensus to protect biodiversity.