Equinor, one of the UK’s leading energy providers, has secured planning permission for the creation of a natural water-fed pool on Loch Ryan to encourage a local nesting population of Sandwich tern.
The Sandwich tern used to nest near to the proposed site until the early years of this century – this project is designed to help them return. Our plans centre on the creation of a natural water-fed pool – over one hectare in size – with a series of mini-islands to provide a safe and secure habitat for nesting that should prove attractive to the birds.
This project, which is subject to various planning conditions, is part of a package of measures that we are putting in place across the UK to mitigate any potential impact of our offshore wind energy operations on Sandwich tern numbers. The Sandwich tern was, until relatively recently, nesting on the shore of the Loch at Scar Point. Encouraging them to return would be a significant boost to local biodiversity and the natural environment.
You can read the documents from our planning application in the Resources section of this website or on the Dumfries and Galloway Council website.
Our project
Our research has indicated that this site has the greatest potential for success for nesting Sandwich tern. The site for which we have secured planning permission, near Kirkcolm, is on land owned by Corsewall Estates. Discussions with the estate about the project are ongoing. A timetable for work is currently being developed.
Who we are
Equinor is a multi-national energy company with a strong presence in the UK. We take a leading role in the energy transition to net zero through our offshore wind, solar, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage projects.
We help the UK to be a global leader in offshore wind. We currently operate three offshore wind farms: Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms off the coast of Norfolk, and the world’s first commercial floating wind farm, Hywind Scotland, off the coast of Peterhead.
We are also in the process of building the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, off the coast of Yorkshire.
By 2030, we will be producing enough power for 5 million British homes, making a significant contribution to the country’s net zero target.
However, we know our offshore wind farms can have the potential to impact on local bird populations and, as a company, we highly value biodiversity alongside our work to tackle climate change. That is why we are committed to undertaking biodiversity projects such as this one.