The UK government has announced that offshore wind turbines will be painted black to minimize bird collisions. The work, led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), aims to reduce collision fatalities by making turbines more visible to birds.
A study conducted in Norway in 2020 found that painting turbine blades black reduced bird collisions by 70%. Accordingly, the UK plans to experiment with different painting techniques to determine the most effective solution. The effects of coating the turbines with ultraviolet (UV) coating will also be evaluated.
Initial laboratory work has been completed and the painting of operational turbines will begin in 2027. The UK’s plan to boost wind power coincides with US President Donald Trump’s criticism of wind turbines. Trump has called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to cancel the project, arguing that wind energy harms birds.
Bird collisions are a major issue being addressed by urban architects and energy experts globally. The UK’s new practice is seen as part of efforts to protect the ecological balance with renewable energy investments.