The British Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is teaming up with the world’s first green energy company, Ecotricity to develop more environmentally friendly site selections for renewable energy installations which could see renewable energy installations double as wildlife reserves.
The two organisations say the partnership will deepen the link between green energy and nature by focusing on two strands:
Ecotricity Turbine at Ford’s factory in Dagenham Lake
Image Credit: Ecotricity
- Wildlife Partnership – the RSPB will use their expertise to help Ecotricity create Britain’s first energy and nature projects that will integrate wildlife habitats into wind, wave, solar, and green gas generation projects
- Energy Partnership – Ecotricity will use their expertise to help the RSPB with their ambitious plans for green energy, improved energy efficiency, and electric vehicle charging points at wildlife reserve visitor centres
The partnership is a long-term one which will see RSPB and Ecotricity work together to the benefit of both organisations.
“Protecting wildlife and creating habitats is not just close to our hearts, it is central to what we do,” said Ecotricity founder Dale Vince. “We’re already making green energy to cut the carbon emissions that cause climate change, which in turn impacts habitats and wildlife. This partnership takes that one step further, making closer links between nature and green energy.”
“This is a long-term strategic partnership that will not only protect wildlife, but develop new habitat creation, and make the RSPB a more integral part of the process of our green energy projects.”
This partnership is a continuation of existing work between the two organisations. Ecotricity announced in April of 2012 the plans to build a wind mast at the RSPB’s headquarters. Located near Sandy in Bedfordshire, The Lodge wind turbine will have a maximum capacity of 800 kW, providing up to two thirds of the organisation’s electricity needs.
“We hope that this project will demonstrate to others the potential of renewable energy and show that wind turbines can be compatible with wildlife through appropriate planning and design” said Martin Harper, Director of Conservation for RSPB.
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