Thar Desert Wind Farms Record World’s Highest Bird Mortality Rates

Quick Summary

• Wind Power Growth: india added 3.5 GW of wind power capacity in the first half of 2025, marking an 82% year-on-year growth, bringing total installed capacity to 51.3 GW.
• Untapped Potential: india’s gross wind power potential at a height of 150 m is estimated at 1163.9 GW.
• Union minister’s call: Pralhad Joshi has urged states to resolve land availability and transmission issues for renewable energy projects.
• Avian Impact in Thar Desert: A study by Wildlife Institute of India found bird mortality rates from wind turbines in Thar Desert are the world’s highest, affecting raptors and critically endangered species like the great Indian bustard due to collisions with turbines and associated power lines.

– Estimated annual bird mortality: ~4,464 birds per 1,000 sq. km.- Comparisons with control sites showed no natural bird carcasses outside turbine zones.
– high vulnerability observed among raptors due to their flight behavior and migration paths via Central Asian Flyway.

• Mitigation Measures Proposed: Researchers recommend site selection using platforms like AVISTEP and methods such as blade painting or shutting turbines during critical periods. Currently, EIAs aren’t mandated for onshore wind projects in India but are required for offshore farms under policy guidelines.

Offshore Wind Energy:

• India plans to develop up to 30 GW offshore wind energy by 2030; initial bids launched for Gujarat and Tamil Nadu (4 GW).
• Challenges include complex environmental risks – impacts on marine biodiversity through noise pollution or habitat disruption documented worldwide.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

india’s renewable energy growth aligns with global climate goals but reveals critically important challenges balancing infrastructure expansion with ecological conservation. The reported sharp rise in avian mortalities at Thar Desert turbines indicates that current policies overlook environmental nuances – particularly migratory routes and species vulnerabilities tied to infrastructure placement.

Key measures such as mandatory EIAs before project execution could mitigate biodiversity risks while promoting lasting growth goals. Offshore investments represent a promising opportunity but require detailed marine spatial planning supported by robust evidence-based investigation into local ecosystems.

India also faces logistical hurdles (land procurement & transmission delays), highlighting a broader systemic need for streamlined governance mechanisms across states if enterprising targets like offshore targets of reaching up-to-installed capacities benefit India’s grid reliability evolve environmentally responsibly trajectory ahead .