EIA specialist reports for wind farms: contributions to the environmental impact assessment
EIA specialist reports for wind farms: specialist reports for the EIA, including noise, shadow flicker and species protection, as a sound basis for planning.
Successful wind energy projects start with sound environmental know-how. Our specialist reports for the environmental impact statement (UVE) give you the information you need for efficient project development. The focus is on solution-oriented approaches to noise, shadow flicker and species protection issues, together with clear recommendations on how to optimise your planning and minimise risks. With combined expert knowledge and more than 40 successfully completed EIA procedures, we support you on the way to successful and sustainable wind energy projects. We flexibly adapt the solutions to your wishes.
Whether a wind farm requires an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is governed by the Austrian Environmental Impact Assessment Act 2000 (UVP-G 2000). An EIA procedure is provided for from a total electrical capacity of at least 30 MW or at least 20 converters of at least 0.5 MW each. At altitudes above 1,000 m, 15 MW or 10 converters apply. In sensitive areas of category A, a case-by-case examination applies from 15 MW or 10 converters. In cases of doubt, the authority determines by decision, on application, whether an EIA has to be carried out, within six weeks. In addition, a preliminary procedure must be carried out on application, in which the authority comments on the concept of the UVE no later than three months after receipt. For wind turbines, § 4a UVP-G 2000 also requires that they are built primarily on areas designated for this purpose in land-use planning. For projects subject to a case-by-case examination, it is waived if the capacity is less than 25 per cent of the threshold value; cumulation and amendment criteria must be examined separately.
The UVE describes the project, alternatives examined including the zero option, the environment affected and the significant effects in the construction and operation phases, also in combination with other projects. It also covers measures to avoid, reduce or offset adverse effects, as well as a non-technical summary. The assessment covers protected assets such as people, animals, plants, soil, water, air, climate, landscape, and material and cultural assets. Each specialist report provides its part, from noise and shadow flicker to species protection. The UVE also includes a climate and energy concept, an assessment of vulnerability to serious accidents, natural disasters and the consequences of climate change, and a soil protection concept. For certain renewable energy generation projects, the relevant legislation provides for a special public interest; its scope and legal consequence must be examined in each individual case. The project is described by location, type and size, including its land requirements in the construction and operation phases. Sources and data gaps must be disclosed. If a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) exists, the UVE refers to it. The purpose of the EIA is to identify, describe and assess the direct and indirect effects of a project. The methods applied must also be described.
The individual topics are explored in depth by the operational and construction noise assessment, the shadow flicker assessment and the ornithological and bat assessments. Added to these are the landscape and townscape assessment and the air quality assessment. In advance, specialist support in the EIA preliminary procedure clarifies the concept.
