Emerging practices of wind farm planning in a dense bird migration area

The objective of this paper is to present part of The Wind Atlas for Egypt project aiming at developing a firm basis for planning and utilization of the vast wind energy resources available in Egypt. The project should recommend a common planning framework for wind farm development in Egypt, specifically in the Gulf of Suez, giving an overview of planning and feasibility related activities necessary, as well as of rules, regulations, data and information applicable.

The proposed planning method is based on the existing legislation and relevant National Master Plans for Egypt and the suggested approach is utilising a traditional wind atlas as well as a bird migration atlas. The wind atlas is based on more than 10 years of measurements while the bird migration atlas is the result of an in-depth field survey during three bird migration seasons.

The wind atlas as well as the bird migration atlas is briefly introduced. As a case study to illustrate the planning process a 60 MW wind farm located at the Gulf of El-Zayt at the Gulf of Suez in Egypt will be analysed. This area is chosen for its very high wind energy potential and the high concentration of migrating birds during spring and autumn.

During the site selection and layout of a wind farm the balancing of interests and land use will be described.