RPS Appointed Ecological Clerk of Works for Scottish Power Renewables Wind Farms Contracts

RPS has been awarded contracts to deliver ecological and environmental protection for three large onshore wind farms in southern Scotland. Construction begins this winter and once operational, the projects will add 98 Megawatts of green energy to ScottishPower Renewables’ portfolio.

RPS is providing full-time Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) to ensure compliance with wildlife legislation and planning conditions, oversee ecological mitigation and implement pollution prevention over the year-long build out phase. Work will begin with pre-construction checks for sensitive species and habitats, and continue with protection of species, habitats and water quality.

At Hare Hill Extension, the largest of the three developments at 35 turbines, the ECoW will cover tasks ranging from monitoring water quality, to ensuring local private water supplies are protected and overseeing the creation of foraging habitat for the local population of black grouse, a species that is one of the UK’s highest bird conservation priorities.

The ECoW role is increasingly a planning requirement for major infrastructure projects.

‘Our approach is to help clients and contractors integrate their environmental obligations from the outset. This prevents delays and ensures construction schedules are met, as well as legal requirements’ said Dr. Simon Zisman, RPS’ Director of Ecology in Scotland. ‘Part of what makes Scotland special is the wildlife, and that, together with rough terrain and high rainfall make the ECoW role so important’

RPS provides ECoW services on a large number of wind farm and major infrastructure projects, including the dualling of the A9 between Kincraig and Dalraddy, and Carraig Gheal Wind Farm in West Argyll.

Ends

Notes to editors:

RPS is a world leading multi-disciplinary consultancy with unrivalled knowledge and experience supporting clients through the development process, through planning inception, design, implementation and final completion. We employ over 4,500 staff worldwide, of which 2,000 are based in the UK.

RPS has particular expertise, as well as a leading reputation, in the field of environmental services. In December 2014 RPS was listed as the UK’s leading Environmental Consultancy by Environmental Analyst’s review of the consulting sector.

With a network of local offices spread across the UK we offer a unique range of professional and technical expertise. RPS has grown into one of the world’s pre-eminent consultancies by maintaining its local connections whilst underpinning these with the resource and knowledge of a global business.

RPS delivers value through an integrated approach to development. We provide a wealth of in-house services and provide fully integrated, multi-disciplinary solutions to support our clients to achieve their aims.

ScottishPower Renewables is part of Iberdrola, the world’s largest wind energy developer, with an operating portfolio of over 14,000 megawatts (MW). ScottishPower Renewables is responsible for progressing Iberdrola’s onshore wind and marine energy projects in the UK and offshore windfarms throughout the world.

Securing our position at the forefront of the renewable energy industry, ScottishPower Renewables now has 30 operational windfarm sites producing over 1,600 MW, including West of Duddon Sands, our first offshore windfarm project. With a further 500 MW of onshore windfarm projects due to be constructed, we are set to maintain our position as the UK's leading wind developer.

With our 350 MW Wikinger Offshore Windfarm in the German Baltic Sea due to be constructed in 2017 and our East Anglia ONE windfarm, which has full planning consent and a contract that will allow us to develop up to 700 MW, we are set to position Iberdrola as the world's leading offshore wind developer.

The Scottish Government has a target to generate the equivalent of 100% of gross annual consumption from renewable electricity – including onshore wind farms- by 2020, and an interim target of 50% by 2015. The latest update suggests that progress is ahead of schedule, with an estimated 49.8% of Scotland’s electricity consumption derived from renewables in 2014
http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00485407.pdf