A Thanet nature expert says the removal of a wind turbine at the Richborough Power Station site will destroy the nesting site of a pair of breeding Peregrines and Ravens.
The turbine is to be removed as part of works for a battery storage facility at the site off Sandwich Road which was approved by Thanet council last year.
Planning documents say: “The wind turbine located within the western zone of the site will be removed along with the associated hard standing and single storey control building as part of the proposed works.
“The proposed battery storage facility will be delivered through the placement of 201 shipping container sized blocks, each housing the batteries with associated equipment which will store electricity when there is a surplus in the network. Power will be distributed back in to the national grid through a connection with the existing National Grid owned Richborough 400kV substation.”
But Nik Mitchell, of Wildlife Conservation in Thanet, says it will mean the loss of the birds which have been nesting at the turbine for a number of years.
He said: “In 1989 history was made when a 1mw wind turbine was installed and became the biggest anywhere in the UK. After serving a short life of about 7 years, it’s been standing redundant as a landmark and piece of history for nearly 30 years,
“There are now plans to remove this iconic turbine. With the boom in the wind industry, you think it would be given listed status.
“The turbine is actually home to a pair of breeding Peregrines and Ravens that have been nesting in it for many years. I am absolutely disgusted, and so are many other people, that the nest site of such special birds will be taken down leaving them with nowhere to go.
“Ravens and Peregrines call the wind turbine home and nest in it. These are incredibly special birds and the turbine is an ideal nest site. Peregrines are the fastest animal in the whole world reaching speeds of close to 200mph. Seeing them in high-speed pursuits around Sandwich Bay is something quite special.
“Ravens are amazing birds and special to Ramsgate because Ramsgate as a name has its earliest reference as ‘Ramisgate’ or ‘Remmesgate’ in 1275. This is from Anglo-Saxon ‘Hraefn’s geat, or ‘Raven’s cliff gap’, later to be rendered ‘Ramesgate’ from 1357.
“Although back in November 2017, an artificial nest box was installed for the Peregrines due to the planned removal of the turbine, the birds have never used it and probably never will.
“Many people will be sad to see this historic landmark go and its incredibly sad that our Peregrine and Ravens will be lost.”
The planning documents on behalf of Sheaf Energy Ltd – now owned by Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.- say: “The move to a renewable-based energy network is an important part of the UK achieving its Net Zero status. The use of battery storage to support this is a key component of the future of the national grid.
“Coupled with the adjacent and approved 50 MW battery scheme, the site has the ability to have a significant contribution to the reliability and use of renewable energy in the region.”
The works are the third phase of the battery storage scheme, following approval of Phase 1 in February 2021 and Phase 2 in April 2021.
An ecological report submitted with the now approved application noted the presence on site of the pair of Peregrine falcons.
Peregrines are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended by the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It is an offence to intentionally disturb protected species during the breeding season without a valid licence.
Design and construction at the site was due to begin this year with the battery park due to start its 35 year operating life in April 2025.
Christo Hammes, of Sheaf Energy Ltd, said the firm has been aware of the presence of Peregrines and Ravens since purchasing the site a year ago and have created an exclusion zone around the turbine to reduce disturbance.
Environmental advisors have also been used to examine the issue. Mr Hammes said: “We have been advised there are three Peregrine Falcons in the area but they (advisors) have categorically said they are not nesting (no chicks in nest).”
Mr Hammes says there are plans to bring the turbine down in the coming months but it is hoped the birds will use the nesting box previously installed on the western part of the site.
That western area of the site will also be allowed to go back to nature, reducing the footprint of the Sheaf Energy project.
