Onshore Wind Environmental Impact Assessment in International Context

Abstract

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process has been well developed in the UK and Europe and guidance and has been prepared to assist developers. Key considerations for onshore wind EIA are generally similar for each project and include landscape and visual, ornithology, noise, shadow flicker and social impacts and there is a range of accompanying guidance documents available. However, increased development in the emerging markets requires a different approach. For an EIA practitioner there may be a lack of detailed in-country guidance available. However, much of the EIA law worldwide has been derived from either the North American or European Union models of EIA. It is prudent for an EIA practitioner to be able to apply those concepts but to be able to take account of the specific challenges for each location. This may be in relation to environmental sensitivities, cultural norms or a combination of both. Applying the EU EIA model in a manner that is sensitive to specific in-country issues will ensure a project meets in-country EIA requirements whilst also satisfying the environmental requirements of the key stakeholders likely to be encountered. This study sets out the main issues likely to be encountered, baseline data gathering, assessment and mitigation.