Opponents to the proposed wind farm at Earystane say a ruling by a French court should be forcing a rethink from the government.
The case saw EDF Energy ordered to shut down turbines for months each year after kestrels were killed, with fines of €500,000 per company and a suspended sentence for the CEO.
Kirrie Jenkins, who is opposed to the location proposed for a Manx windfarm, said the parallels are clear.
“The Aumelas ruling underscores what conservationists have said for years—industrial wind turbines harm important bird species,” she said.
“The kestrels killed in France are closely related to ours. This ruling means we must reconsider the risks of the Earystane development.”
Habitat
The site, a former plantation now rich in biodiversity, is a key habitat for hen harriers, choughs, and other raptors.
Kirrie said: “This area is globally significant, The habitat has become vital for ground-nesting birds like hen harriers, whose Isle of Man population supports international conservation efforts.”
She also said that mitigation measures, such as turbine shutdowns or bird relocation, should be dismissed as unworkable.
“You can’t mitigate on a small island. Where would the birds go?” Jenkins said.
Peatlands at the site, initially promised protection, now face “reprofiling,” which she called “absurd for a carbon-absorbing habitat.”
Kirrie added: “This will drastically alter our landscape.
“We’re not against renewables, but this is the wrong location.”
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