Wind energy development and wildlife conservation in Lithuania: A mapping tool for conflict assessment.

Rasa Morkūnė,Mantas Marčiukaitis,Aleksas Narščius,Viačeslav Jurkin,Antanas Markevičius,Zita R Gasiūnaitė,Giedrius Gecevičius,Liutauras Raudonikis,Julius Morkūnas,Lei Chen

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227735

Abstract

The paper presents a mapping tool aiming to identify and minimise potential conflicts between onshore wind energy development and wildlife conservation in Lithuania. It merges current information on the distribution, conservation status and sensitivity of birds and bats to wind power with an integrated evaluation of wind resources (modelled wind speed), special planning status and technical perspectives of wind energy development. The paper includes assessment of the selected wildlife species which were described as sensitive to wind power (69 breeding and 43 migratory bird species and 17 bat species bats in the country). Used species level information allowed the precise identification of sensitive territories and might be used to mitigate negative wind farm effects using special measures based on species behavior. Finally, we delivered overlaps as possible conflicts among the most promising wind farm areas and the areas with high sensitivity in relation to bird and bat distribution. These overlaps point to the required attention and relevant decisions that are needed to ensure sustainable development of wind energy throughout the country. We suggest this tool for initial determination of appropriate areas for wind energy development in the country and as supplement to Environmental Impact Assessment.

Highlights

With low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, wind energy provides an important contribution to renewable energy
This paper presents a tool that is designed to minimize the potential conflicts between wind farm development and wildlife conservation
Statistical analysis on the main Weibull function’s parameters in the different parts of Lithuania showed that the highest average wind speed of 6.42 m/s with a power density 342 W/m2 was in the western part of Lithuania (Fig 3)

Summary

Introduction

With low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, wind energy provides an important contribution to renewable energy (for review see [1]). Wind energy is being developed in many European countries, including Lithuania. The National Energy Independence Strategy of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter–Strategy) envisages that by 2030 the country will have achieved an installed wind power capacity limit of 1250 MW. The generation of electricity and heat based on environmentally-friendly technologies will enable Lithuania to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and 60% by 2030 and 2040 respectively and achieve an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 [2].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion