Veto on new wind farm

BirdLife extends its claws in eagle breeding zones

The red kite - just one of many species in a "no-go area" for wind power: conservation organization BirdLife will intervene in the environmental impact assessment procedure against the Dürnkrut IV project.

(Bild: Matthias Schmidt)

Another wind farm project in a new zone instead of expanding an existing one: However, the planning of "Dürnkrut IV" has - literally - gone a step too far. And so close to such a sensitive nature reserve that even BirdLife has now loudly intervened: They will vote against it in the approval process.

It is said behind closed doors that the bird protection organization does not often do this in this form - rather, the focus is on creating nature-friendly, nearby alternative areas for the affected fauna.

Too many rare birds spoil propeller plans
But: "This wind farm is located in the March-Thaya-Nord area - this is a so-called exclusion zone in order to do justice to the ornithological importance of the area. "Imperial and white-tailed eagles, saker falcons and the red kite are particularly affected by the planned expansion - that is too much," says BirdLife spokesperson Matthias Schmid.

"Shredder" for resident eagle species: a computer simulation of the "Dürnkrut IV" project:

(Bild: Matthias Schmidt)

 "Don't put wind turbines in every place"
"With around 110 turbines on 487 km², this region has one of the highest densities of wind turbines in Austria," explains Schmid. Despite the need for alternative energy generation, there are limits: BirdLife therefore announces a strong veto in the environmental impact assessment.