The department of agriculture, land reform and rural development in the Northern Cape says the province is one of the key national resource center's of wind and solar energy generation and is promoted through strategic initiatives such as gazetted, Renewable Energy Development Zones. The department says these developments may however have possible negative effects on the environment and biodiversity as it threatens bird life in the province. The environmental impact assessment process under the national Environment Management Act , amended required assessment and mitigation of the possible effects that developments may have on  the environment. The department says that various best practice guidelines exist  to guide the assessment  and monitoring of birds around renewable  energy facilities. The department further states that despite risk mitigation interventions such as changes to the design layout of wind farms, impacts are still observed. On 10 November 2023 Birdlife SA led an information sharing session with  Northern Cape partners, and highlighted observed effects on birds as well as mitigation  options currently being pursued.

Journalist: Rene Julies
Email: rckjulies@gmail.com