The installation of a 10-turbine wind farm in a German forest by ABO Wind for Trianel has resulted in increased afforestation, despite over 4 hectares having been cleared for the project.
The Uckley wind farm is located in pine forest near the Oder-Spree canal and required the removal of trees across 4.57 hectares of land.
However, the area represents less than 1% of the total 503.8-hectare forest. In addition, for every square metre of pine monoculture cleared during construction ABO Wind reforested high-quality mixed forest with indigenous deciduous shrubs.
Some 55,000 square metres of new forest has been planted at the Bundesforst in Neuendorf im Sande – more than 10,000 square metres than what was removed to build Uckley.
The new forest has also been implemented in line with the PEFC standard, an international quality seal for sustainable forest management.
ABO Wind has also looked to improve 40,000 square metres of forest area near the wind farm, with the introduction of native deciduous tree species and shrubs.
Nearby brownfield sites are also being cleared and will be planted with orchards.
At the end of the wind farm’s 20 to 25-year lifespan, the turbines, including foundations and access roads, will be removed and the areas returned to nature, ABO said.