Abstract
This report presents the results of bat surveys undertaken in 2011 in connection with the Sveti Nikola Wind Farm (Kavarna, Bulgaria) on behalf of AES Wind Operations Europe. The report provides a comparison of the results of the 2009 (pre-operation but post-construction) surveys and 2010 (1st year of operation) surveys with the 2011 (2nd year of operation).
Sveti Nikola Wind Farm consists of 52 Vestas V90 wind turbines, constructed during 2009. They have a capacity of 3 MW each, with an overall height to blade tip not exceeding 150 metres (m). Testing of the turbines commenced in midDecember 2009 and operation commenced in spring 2010. All turbines were fully operational throughout 2011.
AES Wind Operations Europe made commitments to carry out surveys to monitor the impacts of the wind farm on bats in relation to gaining funding for the project. These commitments are outlined in the original Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) (RSK Group, 2008). Surveys carried out in 2009 included ground level bat detector car surveys; at height bat detector surveys; and thermal infrared camera / acoustic monitoring surveys. Surveys carried out in 2010 included ground level bat detector car surveys; at height bat detector surveys; and ground level bat carcass searches. Surveys carried out in 2011 included ground level bat detector car surveys; and ground level bat carcass searched. The 2011 surveys are the subject of this report.