Protecting avian life.
The implementation of new technologies such as far-offshore wind necessitates thorough consideration and study of their potential impacts on the rich and diverse ecosystem of The Great Lakes. Protecting avian life is a top priority.
To date, almost all North American and European studies of the impacts of wind farms on birds and bats is predicated on land-based turbines. The worst perpetrators have been found to be older, poorly located wind farms that employ outdated technology such as trellised towers and small turbines that rotate at high speeds.
The first ever study conducted on the avoidance responses of ducks and geese to large offshore wind turbines found that less than 1% of them migrated close enough to the turbines to even be at risk of collision (M. Densholm and J. Kahlert, "Avian collision risk at an offshore wind farm,"Biology Letters, Vol.1 Iss.3 (2005), 296-298).
Well-sited offshore wind safe for birds and bats
Because birds and bats don’t nest in the middle of the lake, the main avian concern for offshore wind farms is bird and/or bat migration paths.
The site for Trillium Power Wind 1 is between 17 km and 28 km off the mainland shore of Lake Ontario and was chosen specifically to avoid migratory bird and bat flight paths. To confirm that TPW1 addresses avian safety, Trillium Power Wind Corporation has retained the services of Golder Associates, a Canadian headquartered, internationally-recognized environmental consultancy with 150 offices worldwide to conduct detailed avian studies on bird and bat migratory patterns in the area.
Trillium Power Wind Corporation has asked Golder Associates to conduct this unique and highly-comprehensive, first-of-its-kind study so that a high standard is set for future offshore wind development in Ontario and The Great Lakes region. Golder Associates will report and release their findings prior to the final public consultations to be held for the Trillium Power Wind 1 offshore wind farm. Interim reports have so far been very favourable. To-date, Trillium Power has completed 104 studies, reports and regulatory approval actions to carefully move far-offshore wind development in Ontario.
Unfortunately, the abrupt cancellation of Ontario's offshore wind sector by the Ontario Government on February 11, 2011, and the illegal confiscation of offshore wind sites and their data, has put a halt to the release of any further data by offshore wind developers - including data from Trillium Power pertaining to Trillium Power Wind 1 until further notice.
Trillium Power is committed to protecting the environment and continues to take responsible and sensible steps to meet its high standards.