Manx Utilities is preparing to launch wildlife and environmental surveys for the proposed roughly 20MW Cair Vie wind farm on the Isle of Man.
Consultancy Wardell Armstrong SLR has been appointed to carry out the assessments at Earystane and Scards, scheduled for April-June focused on bats, birds, frogs, long-eared owls and raptors.
The data gathered will feed into an environmental impact assessment document being prepared for an upcoming permit application, expected later this year.
The company is planning to build the wind farm at the Earystane plantation in the southwest of the island.
Wind speed assessments have indicated the project could supply more than a quarter of the island’s annual electricity demand.
Two design options are under consideration – a four-turbine array using 5MW machines up to 150 metres tall, or a three-unit scheme using 185-metre turbines rated at 7MW apiece.
Manx Utilities is aiming to have the project operational by 2026, subject to planning approvals.