While countries around the world are racing towards a transition to clean energy, a recent study has revealed an unexpected dark side of renewable energy—wind farms—which are responsible for killing thousands of birds each year, according to research conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and published by Climate Fact Checks, a platform specialized in climate and environmental news.
The study surveyed an area of 3,000 square kilometers in the Jaisalmer region of India, where around 900 wind turbines were closely examined. The findings were alarming: thousands of birds, including several endangered species, are killed annually due to collisions with the turbines.
124 dead birds were found near the turbines
The researchers recorded 124 bird carcasses near the turbines, while no dead birds were found at control sites without turbines. After accounting for environmental factors—such as carcasses being removed by scavengers or going undetected—the mortality rate was estimated at 4,470 birds per 1,000 square kilometers annually, which amounts to 13,359 deaths within the study area.
Birds of prey: the most affected group
Among these numbers, 953 were raptors, representing nearly 40% of all bird carcasses. Raptors are particularly vulnerable to collisions due to their flight behavior and their tendency to hunt at relatively low altitudes.
The affected species include environmentally significant birds such as white-rumped vultures, steppe eagles, laggar falcons, and the great Indian bustard, which is critically endangered. Furthermore, the Thar Desert in India forms part of a major migratory flyway for Central Asian birds, meaning the impacts of these wind farms extend far beyond India’s borders.
Solitary turbines proved deadlier
The study also revealed that solitary and isolated turbines were more lethal than those operating in clusters. Flat and grassland terrains recorded higher bird fatalities compared to undulating landscapes. Additionally, greater turbine height was associated with increased collision risk, whereas bird size, wingspan, and flight altitude were not consistent predictors of collision risk.
As India continues to expand wind and renewable energy projects—particularly in areas of high biodiversity—this expansion brings serious, unforeseen challenges. Experts warn that developing clean energy without careful planning could trigger silent declines in threatened bird populations.
The lack of rigorous environmental impact assessments prior to the establishment of these projects poses the risk of a silent extinction of ecologically important species, especially those with slow reproductive rates that cannot withstand such high levels of mortality.
Measures to Reduce the Impact of Wind Turbines on Birds
The study recommends several measures to mitigate the impact of wind farms on bird populations. These include:
Conducting more rigorous environmental impact assessments prior to project approval.
Avoiding ecologically sensitive sites, such as migratory flyways and raptor habitats.
Applying mitigation technologies, such as painting turbine blades to make them more visible to birds.
Implementing temporary shutdowns of turbines during peak migration periods to minimize collision risks.
