White-tailed eagles fly in the area where the onshore wind farm Zeewolde is located. To protect the white-tailed eagle from collisions with a wind turbine, the owner of the wind farm, Windpark Zeewolde B.V., is investing several million euros in modern cameras that can recognise these white-tailed eagles.
The white-tailed eagle is doing well in the Netherlands. 2023 was a record year with 28 successful nests from which as many as 45 young fledged. White-tailed eagles also live in the Oostvaardersplassen and they too gave birth to young this year. These white-tailed eagles also fly in the area of Zeewolde Wind Farm.
With the growth in the number of white-tailed eagles in the Netherlands, the risk of collision with existing wind turbines is also increasing. Therefore, Windpark Zeewolde B.V. first investigated where white-tailed eagles in the wind farm are particularly at risk and which system works best. Proper consultation with the province followed and it was decided to install Biodiv-Wind SAS’s advanced camera system.
When the camera system sees a white-tailed eagle approaching, the wind turbines nearby will automatically switch off, giving the white-tailed eagle all the space it needs. The system will be installed in mid-2024.
Zeewolde Wind Farm
Windpark Zeewolde B.V. is a unique area initiative of more than 200 farmers, residents and wind turbine owners in the outlying area of Zeewolde. In this area of more than 300 square kilometres, more than 90% of the farmers, residents and turbine owners are already shareholders. Together, they form the largest farmers/citizen wind cooperative in Europe: Windpark Zeewolde. With 320 MW, it is also the largest onshore wind farm in the Netherlands. Windpark Zeewolde has 83 large modern wind turbines. These replaced the approximately 220 scattered turbines and together generate almost three times more energy than the current turbines. Image: White-tailed eagle at a wind farm. Photo: Dirk van Straalen
