Making wind power safer for birds in the Eastern Cape South Africa’s energy transition is gaining momentum, with large-scale renewable projects playing a crucial role in building a more secure and sustainable power system. At the same time, many of these wind-rich areas are equally rich in birdlife, including vulnerable and protected species. Enel Green Power South Africa (EGP South Africa) is working to address this challenge at the Impofu Wind Farms in the Eastern Cape, where a blade-painting initiative is being introduced to help reduce bird collisions with turbines. The project aims to make turbines more visible and to contribute to growing international research on practical mitigation measures. The University of Cape Town will be working with EGP South Africa to study the impact of the blade painting project in order to advance its research on the subject. Impofu: where innovation is being put into practice The Impofu Wind Farms, which consist of Impofu East, West and North, are EGP South Africa’s largest construction project to date. With a combined installed capacity of 330 MW, the cluster will generate approximately 1,100 GWh of clean electricity annually once it becomes operational in 2026. This will support South Africa’s decarbonisation efforts and help avoid an estimated 2.7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. Environmental considerations have shaped the project from the earliest planning stages. During the course of its impact assessments, the team identified a Martial Eagle nest near the project area. As a result, the wind farm layout was adjusted to create a no-go buffer zone, ensuring that construction avoided sensitive nesting areas. Understanding bird collision risks These incidents affect a wide range of species, from swifts and other small birds to large raptors and cranes. In the Eastern Cape, species include the Martial Eagle, the Blue Crane, and the Jackal Buzzard, which are all of conservation concern. Against this backdrop, making turbines more visible to birds in flight has become an important focus area for researchers, conservation practitioners and wind energy operators. How the blade-painting initiative works At Impofu, selected turbines feature two red stripes painted on one blade. This simple change is designed to: Increase the visual contrast of the moving blades. Help birds perceive the rotor as a moving object rather than a blur. Give them a better chance of taking evasive action. The patterning has no impact on turbine performance and is being implemented as part of a broader research effort on bird impact mitigation. Findings from Impofu will contribute to the evidence base in determining whether blade patterning can help reduce collisions in high-biodiversity, high-wind areas. If effective, this approach may also lessen the need for more disruptive interventions, such as frequent curtailment or stop-on-demand systems, which can affect both energy production and operational efficiency. “By integrating biodiversity considerations into project design from the outset, we can reduce the ecological footprint of the Impofu Wind Farms while contributing to valuable international research,” notes Alessandra Governanti, E&C Project Execution Leader for South Africa at Enel Green Power. The blade-painting project at Impofu reflects Enel Green Power’s commitment to developing renewable energy in harmony with nature. By pairing innovation with environmental stewardship, the project aims to advance South Africa’s clean-energy transition while helping protect the unique birdlife of the Eastern Cape.
