IBERDROLA
2022
Wind farm companies paint
turbines black to reduce bird death risk
Scientists may have found a simple solution to
the costly, persistent problem of turbines killing birds,
especially eagles and hawks.
Supporting solutions based on the findings of Norwegian
research and the experience of French airports will allow renewable
facilities to coexist in harmony with nature
![](images/images_11_28_22/turbine%20copy.jpg)
A turbine with one blade painted black at RWE's Westereems wind farm
in Eemshaven, Netherlands. Courtesy of RWE
Birds—from eagles to wrens—share a deadly
habit of blithely flying into wind turbine blades that, at their outer
edges, can reach speeds of up to 170 miles per hour. The tools wind
farm owners have been using to cut the casualty rate are often
high-tech, complex, and expensive. Now, scientists believe they’ve hit
on a surprisingly simple solution: painting one turbine blade black.
![](images/images_11_28_22/turbine%20copy%202.jpg)
Iberdrola is painting wind turbines
black and applying vinyl shapes resembling eyes to protect birdlife.
Painting one of the three blades black on
several wind turbines on the Cavar (Navarre) and Zorreras (Zahara de
los Atunes, Cádiz) projects and installing vinyl shapes that resemble
eyes on more than 60 towers on wind farms in Burgos.
According to scientific research and international experience,
initiatives like these reduce the number of birds frequenting these
areas by 70%
Iberdrola is continuing to roll out
solutions to promote the coexistence of its renewable facilities, one
of the foundations of the energy transition, and the ecosystems in
which they are located. The company has launched two initiatives on
several wind farms to improve the visibility of their wind turbines
and to deter certain species of birds from the areas of influence
around the projects. The solutions are based on studies conducted by
Norwegian research centres and experiences at French airports.
One such initiative involves painting one of the three blades black on
several wind turbines on wind farms in Cavar (111 MW) in
Navarre; and Zorreras (20 MW) in Zahara de los Atunes (Cádiz) in
Andalusia. The project, which will be rolled out in some of the
company's other wind farms, is based on a study published by the
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, which estimates a
70% reduction in the number of birds spotted after applying this
measure. The solution creates more contrast between the blades and
makes them easier for birds to see.
This work to adapt the wind turbines takes place 100 metres above the
ground on fully assembled wind turbines and requires sanding, cleaning
and painting the blades. The tasks are undertaken when there is little
wind and no rain to ensure the safety of the specialised wind turbine
maintenance and operation workers. Each blade on the Cavar wind
turbines is 65 metres long and up to 14 metres wide, so it can take a
week to paint them.
VINYL SHAPES HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO MORE
THAN 60 TOWERS ON SEVEN WIND FARMS TO DISCOURAGE BIRDS OF PREY
The second of these initiatives consists of
marking wind turbine towers with two vinyl transfers that look like
staring eyes. These one-metre-diameter concentric circles are fixed at
between 3.5 and four metres from the base of the wind turbines. It has
been shown that sticking these black shapes to the white base of the
wind turbine tower is a deterrent to birds of prey.
The solution has been implemented in seven
wind farms in Burgos and has involved applying these vinyl shapes to
more than 60 wind turbines on the Ballestas-Casetona, Cotera, Páramo
Vega, Urbel del Castillo, Valdeporres, Viñas and Fuente Blanca wind
farms. The project does not affect the structure of the wind turbine
and has no impact on the operational systems or electricity produced
by these production plants.
There are plans to install these vinyl
shapes at another six wind farms in Burgos province, while the
possibility of further extending the scheme is being analysed.
This method has been tried and tested at Lourdes-Tarbes-Pyrénnés
airport in south-eastern France and has proven efficient for keeping
birds away. A 65% reduction in the number of birds of prey spotted in
the airport area was observed when the vinyl shapes were used.
COMPETITIVE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
BALANCE
Iberdrola has fully integrated the
conservation of the biological diversity of ecosystems into its
strategy, demonstrating that competitive, clean and sustainable energy
supply can effectively coexist in balance with the environment.
The company plans to achieve “no net loss”
of biodiversity by 2030, by committing to the net positive impact of
new infrastructure developments. In this regard, it has carried out
more than 1,450 measures to protect biodiversity in the last three
years alone, combining renewable project development with the
conservation of the biological diversity of ecosystems and caring for
flora, fauna and natural heritage.
Among other initiatives to achieve its
sustainability goals is reforestation, with the launch of the Trees
Programme, whereby Iberdrola will plant 20 million trees by the end of
the decade, with which it will capture approximately six million
tonnes of CO2.
Green Play Ammonia™, Yielder® NFuel Energy.
Spokane, Washington. 99212
www.exactrix.com
509 995 1879 cell, Pacific.
exactrix@exactrix.com
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