Significantly reduced population of Egyptian Vultures in Georgia is facing a new threat – the construction of wind farms at the Kvernaki ridge.
Egyptian Vulture is a globally endangered species included in the Georgian Red List as well as important inbatitant on the Kvernaki Emerald site.
The Emerald Network is an ecological network made up of Areas of Special Conservation Interest and its implementation was launched by the Council of Europe as part of its work under the Bern Convention.
The construction of a wind power plant is planned to be carried out by JSC “Chalik Georgia Wind” at the Kvernaki Ridge in Kaspi Municipality.
Egyptian Vultures’ nests are located in the immediate vicinity of the project area, the distance between the first wind turbine and the nest is only 300 meters! While the safe distance is at least 15 kilometers.
It is noteworthy that the project implementers themselves acknowledge this threat. We read in their report that the wind farm will have a much greater impact on birds and bats during the operational phase, which will lead to “permanent killing of birds of prey – of high-flying species.
At the same time, the part of the Kvernaki ridge, where turbines and power lines will be arranged, will become a constant threat to both Georgia and internationally protected species.
In addition to first station, there is now another threat – the construction of a second wind power plant, which is also planned on the Kvernaki site.
If both projects are implemented, we will get a total of at least 27 wind turbines on the Kvernaki site, which in our opinion, is a significant threat to the species spread over the ridge.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that the implementation of the project is planned without studying the assessment of the most important aspects from the environmental point of view, and there are no alternative places for the construction of wind power plants.
