Offshore Wind Energy

As India expands its wind energy capacity, reaching an estimated 51.3 GW by mid-2025, concerns are growing over the environmental impact, particularly on bird populations and marine biodiversity. While wind energy is a crucial part of India’s renewable energy strategy, its rapid expansion is raising questions about its long-term ecological costs.

Wind Turbines and Avian Populations

1. High Bird Mortality:

   • The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) conducted a study in the Thar Desert, a region crucial for migratory birds, which found high mortality rates due to wind turbine collisions. The study revealed 124 bird carcasses near 90 turbines, estimating an annual 4,464 bird deaths per 1,000 sq. km.

   • The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and raptors (birds of prey) are particularly vulnerable due to their soaring flight and low reproduction rates, making them less adaptable to collisions.

   Migratory Bird Traffic:

   • The Thar Desert is part of the Central Asian Flyway, making it a critical migration route for many bird species. The presence of wind farms along these routes increases the risk of bird fatalities during their migratory journeys.

   Power Line Collisions:

   • The study also highlighted that bird deaths were not limited to the turbines themselves. Power lines connected to wind farms also posed a significant risk to avian populations, which had not been factored into earlier environmental assessments.

   Lack of Environmental Oversight:

   • Onshore wind farms in India are not required to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), allowing projects to be set up in ecologically sensitive zones without proper scrutiny.

   • Without mandatory EIAs, the potential environmental consequences on local ecosystems, particularly in migratory bird habitats, are often overlooked.

Offshore Wind Energy Exploration

As India turns its attention to offshore wind energy, the environmental concerns grow further, especially for marine biodiversity.

1. Impact on Marine Ecosystems:

   • Offshore wind farms may disrupt marine habitats, particularly breeding grounds for fish, turtles, and marine mammals.

   • Underwater noise from construction activities (such as piling and dredging) can interfere with the echolocation and navigation abilities of marine species like dolphins and whales.

   Pollution Risk:

   • The maintenance of turbines and supporting vessels for offshore farms introduces the risk of fuel and lubricant spills, which can harm marine life and degrade ecosystems.

   Inadequate Environmental Assessments:

   • While offshore wind projects require EIAs, many reports are rapidly conducted and may overlook critical environmental factors.

   • The Gulf of Khambhat offshore wind farm, for instance, downplayed the potential impacts on local marine species such as dolphins, sharks, and reptiles.

   Technological and Logistical Challenges:

   • India currently lacks the necessary technology and expertise for deep-water offshore installations, leading to concerns over the durability and maintenance of turbines in harsh marine conditions.

How Can India Balance Wind Energy Development with Biodiversity Conservation?

Site Selection and Zoning:

• Avian Sensitivity Tool (AVISTEP): India should use tools like AVISTEP (developed by Birdlife International) to identify areas with minimal bird impact, ensuring wind farms are placed in areas with lower avian sensitivity.

• Zoning and Spatial Planning: Proper zoning should designate “no-go” zones to avoid placing renewable energy infrastructure in sensitive habitats like Great Indian Bustard zones.

• The Supreme Court-appointed Expert Committee has recommended identifying priority conservation areas for targeted protection.

Conservation and Species Revival:

• Conservation Breeding Programs: For critically endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard, India should implement strategies such as incubating late-stage eggs and transferring chicks to safer environments for population rebuilding.

• Technology Solutions: Mitigation technologies, like painting turbine blades to make them more visible and implementing shutdown strategies during migration periods, could significantly reduce bird strikes.

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs):

• Mandatory EIAs should be required for all onshore wind farms to ensure that ecological risks are thoroughly assessed and mitigated.

• Comprehensive studies should be conducted for offshore wind projects to understand their impact on marine ecosystems before installation begins.

Integrating Wind with Solar and Storage:

• To optimize energy generation and minimize environmental impact, India should explore integrating wind energy with solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS). This can help provide a round-the-clock power supply while reducing the pressure on land and marine ecosystems.

Monitoring and Research:

• Long-term monitoring of wind farms' impact on wildlife is crucial. Regular surveys, especially in sensitive areas like the Thar Desert, will provide valuable data to refine site selection and mitigation strategies.

Wind Power in India

• By mid-2025, India’s wind energy capacity is expected to reach 51.3 GW, making up 21.78% of the country’s total renewable energy generation.

• India ranks 4th globally in wind power, and its capacity has more than doubled in a decade, from approximately 21 GW in 2014.

• India has an estimated 1164 GW of untapped wind potential, primarily at 150 meters above ground level, indicating significant opportunities for further wind energy expansion.

Conclusion

India faces a dual challenge: expanding its wind energy sector to meet its growing energy needs while minimizing the environmental impact on both avian populations and marine ecosystems. By integrating site selection tools, mandating comprehensive environmental assessments, and implementing mitigation measures, India can better balance its renewable energy ambitions with biodiversity conservation.