Environment
The development of Cellars Hill Wind Farm has and will continue to consider impacts on the local environment.
Technical studies
This agri-wind project will be subject to comprehensive assessments, which ensure that its potential affect on the immediate surroundings, including fauna and flora, is carefully considered before construction commences.
The turbine locations will be selected to avoid impacts on local flora and fauna as far as practicable. The wind farm is primarily located on already disturbed or modified land, such as areas currently used for grazing and forestry, rather than on areas with high ecological value.
The following assessments will be completed to support the project design and approvals:
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Traffic
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Noise
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Cultural Heritage and Historic Heritage
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Flora and Fauna
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Landscape and Visual
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Shadow Flicker, Glint and Glare and Blade Throw
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Electromagnetic Fields and Communications
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Fire and Hazards
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Surface Water and Groundwater
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Geotechnical, Landslip and Acid Sulphate
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Socio-economic
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Aviation
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Agricultural and Land Use
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Air Quality and Emissions
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Waste
What is agri-wind?
Agri-wind involves integrating agricultural activities with wind energy production.
In an agri-wind system, wind turbines are installed on farmland, allowing farmers to continue cultivating crops or grazing livestock while simultaneously generating renewable energy.
This dual-use approach maximises land use efficiency and can provide additional income for farmers through leasing agreements or direct participation in wind energy production.
Benefits of wind agriculture
1
Land use optimisation
Wind turbines occupy a relatively small footprint, allowing the majority of the land to remain available for agricultural use.
2
Additional income for farmers
Farmers can earn income from leasing land to wind energy companies or through direct involvement in energy production.
3
Renewable energy generation
Contributing to the production of clean energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting sustainability goals.
4
Sustainability
By generating wind energy, farms can reduce their dependence on non-renewable energy sources, lowering their carbon footprint and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
5
Biodiversity and soil health
The presence of wind turbines avoids large scale biodiversity and soil disturbances due to low footprint compared to other infrastructure installations.
Protecting birdlife
Flora and fauna studies have been undertaken to inform the project and will continue as it progresses, including targeted surveys where needed.
Site selection and turbine placement have considered raptor activity, general bird use, and known nest locations. During detailed design, a one-kilometre exclusion buffer will be applied around identified eagle nests.
The Major Project Impact Statement will outline the bird species likely to be present on site and the measures proposed to reduce potential impacts.
The Cellars Hill Wind Farm is also being developed in collaboration with IdentiFlight to help protect key species, particularly eagles, during operation.
How does IdentiFlight protect species of birds?
When a bird is detected, the turbine slows and shuts down, allowing the bird to pass.
IdentiFlight is a recognised mitigation measure that has been used successful in several wind farms across the world, including Cattle Hill Wind Farm.
IdentiFlight consists of stereo and wide-field-of-view cameras, proprietary software, and neural network technologies to determine position, velocity and trajectory, of protected birds, all in real time.