We believe South Africa can achieve its renewable energy goals without compromising its unique biodiversity.
South Africa is undergoing massive expansion of renewable energy. Without careful planning, this critical energy transition could cause significant habitat loss and degradation, and cause bird populations to decline.
On of the biggest challenges is that birds collide with wind turbine blades, particularly large soaring species like vultures and eagles that use the same wind currents as turbines. Fatality rates for some threatened species are already unsustainable, and this added pressure increases the risk of extinction.
Beyond collision mortality, cumulative impacts from habitat loss and disturbance compound these risks. With South Africa planning 43 GW of wind generation by 2042, the scale of potential impact is unprecedented.
For over a decade, the Birds and Renewable Energy project has promoted nature-smart renewable energy in South Africa. Our work has directly influenced project designs, prevented developments in critically sensitive areas, and strengthened environmental safeguards.
Guidelines and Best Practice:
We develop and mainstream guidelines that support evidence-based decisions and mainstream best practice across the industry
Data and Learning:
We maintain South Africa’s most comprehensive database of wind facility fatalities and publish analyses of cumulative impacts and lessons learnt, ensuring the industry continuously improves how impacts are managed.
Expert Review and Influence:
We provide input on strategic environmental plans, environmental impact assessments and monitoring reports, influencing project location and design whilst negotiating stronger safeguards for biodiversity.
Collaboration:
We bring together industry, consultants, specialists and government to share knowledge and solve problems collectively through our multi-stakeholder platforms.
Best Practice Guidelines
In collaboration with partners and other experts, we develop and mainstream guidelines that support evidence-based decisions and mainstream best practice across the industry. These include:
Species Guidelines
Collision mortality affects a wide range of species, but losses of long-lived threatened birds species is the greatest concern. Priority species include Cape Vulture, Black Harrier, Verreaux’s Eagle, Martial Eagle and Secretarybird. High-altitude grasslands harbour endemic larks such as Botha’s Lark (Critically Endangered) and Rudd’s Lark (Endangered) which also face risks. Our species-specific guidelines provide tailored monitoring and mitigation recommendations to protect these vulnerable populations whilst enabling responsible renewable energy development.
Mitigation Measures
In collaboration with the South African Wind Energy Association and other experts, we have developed tools to support the effective implementation of mitigation measures. These include:
Be sure to check other project pages for additional guidelines and resources.
BirdLife South Africa relies on funding from donors and supporters to undertake its work. Although we receive financial support for specific projects from donors, maintaining our ongoing activities over the longer term is a constant challenge. To help us address this funding challenge, the new Birds and Renewable Energy (BARE) Supporter Programme harnesses the strength of the South African corporate sector in support of our ongoing work.
Supporters will be able to request a Section 18A certificate for tax purposes, if required.
Should you wish to become a BARE Supporter, please return the Application Form, indicating the applicable level of annual support. Alternatively please contact us for more information.
