Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001434/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kosma Złotowski (ECR)
The problem of birds and bats being killed by wind turbines is nothing new. Protected species are also among the birds that die in wind turbine collisions.
On 7 April 2025, a French court in Montpellier ruled that a wind farm in Aumelas in Hérault would have to suspend operations for four months for this very reason, and the company that owns the farm was fined. Last year, furthermore, a court in Nîmes ruled that a wind farm in Bernagues in the Grands Causses in Hérault had to be dismantled due to the damage it causes to the environment.
In this context, the EU Wind Power Action Plan may have a number of negative effects on the natural environment and lead to additional costs for wind farm operators.
- 1.Is the Commission monitoring cases involving onshore wind farms having an adverse impact on the environment and protected species, and if so, how large is the scale of this phenomenon, and have any EU-funded wind energy investments been suspended because of this?
- 2.Does the Commission have any estimates of how possible fines for environmental damage imposed by European courts could affect the prices of electricity from wind farms?
- 3.In the Commission’s view, what is the safe distance from valuable nature sites, nature reserves, parks, forests (especially Natura 2000 sites), but also buildings or houses, at which wind farms can be built without adverse consequences for the environment and human health?
Submitted: 9.4.2025