The secret lies in the mass... or in a good environmental inventory

The minimum content of Environmental Impact Studies of renewable energy is changing. And we saw this at Ideas MedioAmbiental years ago, since we had been recommending to our clients the possibility (or need) of carrying out annual wildlife studies. And the thing is, fauna is the most relevant factor in this type of project. Rigorous and more exhaustive studies are necessary to be able to assess the environmental impact of these facilities in the best possible way.

In this article, we present basic guidelines for carrying out detailed Environmental Impact Studies and Environmental Inventories of renewable energy, with the greatest guarantees, both in Castilla La Mancha and (why not) in the rest of the territory.

These Guidelines for Environmental Assessment and Environmental Inventories are the result of a large number of hours of meetings between the agents involved in all the provincial directorates, as well as numerous projects already being processed for both photovoltaic solar plants and wind farms in the national territory.

Aside from the contents that we all know, the new features are as follows:

Annual wildlife study in the project area

To undertake an annual wildlife study, the following must be reviewed: (1) the magnitude of the project, since the condition will depend greatly on the size of the facilities. It is understood that a 5 MW project is not the same as a 50 MW project. Another factor to consider when establishing the annual fauna study is (2) the phenology of the species present.

It's a guide that can serve to set times, but we understand that it shouldn't be a general rule for all projects.

It is also important to be able to evaluate fauna in all the alternatives that we are considering.

The content of the study of fauna in renewable energy

Given the magnitude of the project and the species that are believed to be present (depending on the predominant habitats or information such as what we have in Environmental Ideas) the fauna study shall contain, as a minimum, the following:

• • Avifauna study (forest birds of prey, steppe, rock or passerine birds).
  • Study of species covered by Red Natura Space Management Plans nearby.
  • Prey populations (mountain rabbit, Iberian hare, red partridge,..) of protected avifauna.
  • Carnivorous mammals in families Mustelidae, Felidae, Viverridae and Herpestidae, due to the barrier effect that these installations can have on the movement of fauna between forest areas, reservoirs, etc...

In electrical evacuation lines, also depending on their magnitude, avifauna studies of greater or lesser magnitude must be addressed. As for chiropterans, we estimate that they are not a group with a relevant condition (according to the literature) due to the condition of this type of infrastructure.

The field of wildlife studies in renewable energy

The scope of study will be determined by the faunal group to be studied and the location of the habitats associated with their phenological cycle. In general, it will be 5 kilometers for forest and rock birds of prey and 3 kilometers for steppe birds.

All studies must be carried out by technicians with demonstrated experience, such as those you can find in Environmental Ideas, and it is recommended to cover all seasons with visits at least biweekly.

Fragmentation—Connectivity Study

It will include the study of conditions affecting ecological corridors. Possible damage to raptor and glider areas will also be considered. Especially for migrations and camping trips, as well as movements of terrestrial fauna (especially mammals).

It is necessary to prepare a study of the use of the fauna of these corridors with specific fieldwork, as indicated
in wildlife studies.

Synergistic effects study

This study will consider the projects executed as well as those that are in the processing phase. For its implementation, the Guidelines for the SEO/BirdLife impact assessment of wind farms on birds and bats.

Our objective is none other than to facilitate the Environmental Impact Assessment of renewable energies. We want to make these facilities as sustainable and integrated into the environment as possible. And facilitate the work of all the agents involved in this Environmental Impact Assessment of renewable energy