Wind farm’s 180-metre tall turbines ‘could kill Scottish eagles’

Golden eagles in the south of Scotland 'could be killed' by a proposed wind farm's 180-metre tall turbines, a charity has claimed.

Restoring Upland Nature (RUN) is urging a Scottish Borders Council committee to reject plans for the Scawd Law wind farm near Walkerburn.

Fred Olsen Renewables, the developer of the wind farm, wants to construct eight turbines up to 180 metres tall at the site which would have a 60MW generation capacity.

RUN, which manages the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, says there is a risk of the birds of prey being hit by the wind turbines if the proposals go ahead.

Dr Cat Barlow, chief executive officer of RUN, said: 'While we strongly support the role of well-sited renewable energy in tackling the climate crisis and safeguarding nature in the long-term, our detailed analysis evidences that Scawd Law in the Moorfoot Hills is the wrong location for a wind farm development.

'Using data from our state-of-the-art satellite monitoring, alongside extensive field observations by our experienced staff, we have significant concerns that the proposal would pose an unacceptable risk to the fragile local golden eagle population at a particularly critical time.

'Some of the data currently relied upon by the developer is outdated and substantially underestimates golden eagle activity in the area.'

She continued: 'Our analysis indicates that the risk of collision at Scawd Law is at least six times greater than the figures presented by the developer.

Fred Olsen Renewables, the developer of the wind farm, wants to construct eight turbines up to 180 metres tall at the site which would have a 60MW generation capacity

'This risk will increase further as fledglings enter the landscape.

'Indeed, the likelihood of an eagle being killed at this site alone exceeds the collision risk posed by all existing wind farms across the south of Scotland combined.'

The land which the renewable energy company would like to develop on comprises of heather moorland and is currently used for sheep farming.

Mike Wilcox, of Walkerburn Community Council, also voiced opposition to the plans.

He said: 'This is the last chance to save our majestic golden eagles.

'There has been a massive, concerted effort over many years by conservation experts and volunteers from all over Scotland to reintroduce this iconic species to the south of Scotland.

'The local community has been very excited to see these incredible birds in our skies again after an absence of perhaps 100 years.

'Going ahead with Scawd Law could potentially wipe out all the progress made in the past decade - Scottish Borders Council should reject this destructive scheme.'

An investigation found that a golden eagle called Sparky (pictured), who was found dead in 2024, had died after a wind turbine strike in Dumfries and Galloway

The council's planning committee will review the application on March 2.

The final proposals have 'evolved considerably' from what the company was initially considering as earlier plans consisted of up to 12 turbines.

Fred Olsen Renewables believe the plans for Scawd Law Wind Farm are appropriate for locals and hope it can present opportunities for the community.

In 2024, an investigation concluded that a golden eagle called Sparky had died after a wind turbine strike in Dumfries and Galloway, according to the eagle project's website.

The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project found three-year-old Sparky dead with its wing detached lying 15 metres from a turbine base.

After carrying out a number of tests, the Veterinary Investigation Centre at Scotland's Rural College in Dumfries concluded that Sparky's fatal injuries were 'typical of those associated with a wind turbine strike.'

The death of the locally-fledged bird was the first of its kind recorded by the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project.

A spokesperson for Fred Olsen Renewables said: 'As a dedicated owner and operator of wind farms in the south of Scotland of 30 years, we take ornithological risks very seriously when determining the locations of our renewable energy sites.

'We have thoroughly reviewed the concerns raised by Restoring Upland Nature (RUN) regarding our Scawd Law proposal.

'Our comprehensive assessments, complemented by expert analysis from external specialists, demonstrate that all predicted impacts and associated risks have been carefully evaluated and fall within acceptable parameters.

'While interpretations of data may vary, our in-depth understanding of the site, environmental conditions, and proven methodologies gives us confidence in the robustness of our approach.

'We are committed to maintaining open, constructive dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure transparency and trust.'

What are golden eagles?

• Golden eagles, scientifically known as aquila chrysaetos, are a huge bird of prey with broad wings
• Although adult golden eagles are mostly brown, their lighter feathers on their head and neck look golden in the sunlight
• You are more likely to see golden eagles soaring over moorlands and mountains and are often mistaken for buzzards in Scotland
• Golden eagles have a long history in the South of Scotland
• Populations of the species were once healthy, however, human activity and changes in land over the last couple of centuries have caused populations in the south to fall as low as three breeding pairs

Source: South of Scotland Golden Eagle project and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds