Bulgarian bird protection org opposes draft legislation on offshore wind

A citizens’ society organisation in Bulgaria that focuses on the protection of birds released on Monday a statement of opposition to the country’s draft legislation on energy from renewable sources in territorial waters and on offshore wind in particular.

The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), which is a local partner of BirdLife International, said it stands against the approval of the legislation in its current form because of its incompleteness and ambiguity with regard to certain issues.

According to BSPB’s executive director Vanya Ratarova-Georgieva, the current iteration of the bill is almost identical to two prior ones and even though some changes have been made, the essential issues that were outlined before remain unaddressed.

The BSPB points out that it is still unclear why separate legislation is required when the existing one on renewable energies could be expanded upon. The organisation also believes it is inexpedient to establish a new law that takes into consideration the development of just one type of renewable energy and in a specific territory.

In addition, the BSPB shares its concern about the possible negative impact offshore wind farms could have on marine ecosystems, including with regard to seabirds, migratory birds, fish and fish resources, as well as aquatic mammals. Its statement underscores the fact that Europe's second largest bird migration route, called Via Pontica, passes through the Bulgarian coastline and that the local water area is of vital importance for the conservation of two particular species of seabirds, namely the European shag and the yelkouan shearwater.

In conclusion, the organisation insists that this draft legislation is withdrawn and that its objectives and scope are discussed further by a wider range of experts. It also insists that the principle of “Do no harm” is integrated into the legal norm that regulates the development of renewable energies and that all other options onshore are depleted before priority is given to marine renewables.

The draft bill was submitted to the National Assembly on December 4, 2023.

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