Renewable Energy
Home / Sectors / Renewable Energy
General global trends show a significant rise in wind and solar power worldwide. In Vietnam, to In Vietnam, to fulfill the commitment towards achieving a net-zero emissions target as agreed upon at COP26, the government’s incentivizing policies have led to a robust development of renewable energy sources, marked by impressive figures. Particularly noteworthy is the Power Development Plan VIII, projecting that by 2045, over 75% of the country’s energy will stem from renewable sources.
However, the development of renewable energy projects also triggers impacts on biodiversity, such as habitat loss within project areas, habitat fragmentation due to project infrastructure, and disturbances or mortality among species caused by project operations.
Solar Energy
Potential impacts on biodiversity and associated ecosystem services associated with solar energy
- Loss of habitat through clearance or displacement of land
- Bird collision with solar panels, and transmission lines
- Bird and bat mortality through electrocution on distribution lines
- Displacement due to attraction to reflective surface of solar panels
- Wildlife mortality due to attraction to evaporation ponds
- Barrier effects to terrestrial biodiversity movement
- Habitat degradation due to changes in hydrology and water availability and quality
- Pollution (e.g. dust, light, noise and vibration, solid/liquid waste)
- Indirect impacts from displaced land-uses, induced access or increased economic activity
- Associated ecosystem service impacts
- Habitat alteration due to changes in microclimatic effect of solar panels
- Introduction of alien species
Onshore Wind Energy
Potential impacts of onshore wind developments on biodiversity and associated ecosystem services
- Bird and bat collisions with turbines blades and / or transmission lines, as well as possibly barotrauma
- Habitat loss through clearance or displacement of land for construction of, wind turbines and associated facilities
- Bird and bat mortality through electrocution on distribution lines
- Barrier effects to to animal movement from,
- Trophic cascade effects affect predator-prey dynamics and ecosystem function
- Pollution (e.g. dust, light, noise and vibration, solid/liquid waste)
- Indirect impacts from displaced land-uses, induced access or increased economic activity
- Associated ecosystem service impacts
- Introduction of invasive alien species closely-spaced turbines, roads, and transmission lines.
Offshore Wind Energy
Potential impacts on biodiversity and the associated ecosystem services due to fixed- bottom offshore wind developments
- Bird and bat collision with wind turbines and onshore transmission lines
- Seabed habitat loss, degradation and transformation
- Hydrodynamic change
- Habitat creation
- Trophic cascades
- Barrier effects or displacement effects due to presence of wind farm
- Bird mortality through electrocution on associated onshore distribution lines
- Mortality, injury and behavioural effects associated with vessels
- Mortality, injury and behavioural effects associated with underwater noise
- Behavioural effects associated with electromagnetic fields of subsea cables
- Pollution (e.g. dust, light, solid/liquid waste)
- Indirect impacts offsite due to increased economic activity and displaced activities, such as fishing
- Associated ecosystem service impacts
- Introduction of invasive alien species
HOW WE HELP OUR CLIENT
We specialize in applying biodiversity expertise to renewable energy development and operations within the industry. Our focus involves collaborating with financiers and businesses to identify potential risks and offer practical management solutions that align with top-tier environmental practices.
We help our client strike a balance between renewable energy development and preserving biodiversity, ensuring sustainable practices are implemented throughout the project lifecycle.
