Blog

Each year, as summer fades into autumn, millions of birds begin their southward journeys across continents. For wind farm developers and operators, this migration window—particularly between August and October—presents both a challenge and an opportunity: how do we balance clean energy production with the protection of migratory birds?

Seabirds travel long distances across the open ocean, relying on marine ecosystems for survival. Their movements, breeding success, and population dynamics offer insights into the state of our oceans. As top predators, seabirds integrate information across large spatial and temporal scales, making them critical indicators of ocean health.

Norway’s offshore wind ambitions took a major step forward with the recent approval of the Utsira Nord project—the country’s first commercial-scale floating wind development. With up to 1.5 GW of capacity planned across three awarded areas, Utsira Nord represents not just a milestone for renewable energy, but also a critical opportunity to embed smarter environmental stewardship from the start.

Why Spoor is investing in local partnerships—and how AI can support biodiversity and clean energy development across the region.

Spoor is proud to announce its participation in SeaMe, a pioneering three-year biodiversity monitoring initiative led by RWE at the Kaskasi offshore wind farm in the German North Sea.

With the offshore wind sector entering a rapid growth phase, the demand for dependable bird monitoring is rising in parallel. Developers and regulators alike are seeking data that doesn’t just tick compliance boxes—but actively builds confidence in the models driving environmental decision-making and project permitting.

Tracking bird activity in offshore wind environments is no small task—especially when traditional survey methods can’t reach. As developers look for new ways to monitor biodiversity at sea, AI-powered tools mounted on buoys are emerging as a promising solution.

As offshore wind expands, so does the need for smarter ways to monitor its impact on marine ecosystems. Our new partnership with Fugro is making it easier to track bird activity at sea—safely, affordably, and at scale.

As offshore wind energy expands, so does the need for precise, data-backed insights into how birds interact with turbines. This trial will assess Spoor’s AI-powered monitoring system, using high-resolution cameras to track bird movements continuously and at long distances. By capturing high-quality video data, the project aims to improve impact assessments and refine mitigation strategies, contributing to more sustainable offshore wind development.

As the need for biodiversity conservation grows, the wind energy industry is exploring ways to balance renewable energy production with environmental responsibility.

Although a crucial step in the quest for renewable energy, wind farms are a potential threat to wildlife. This unforeseen consequence, sometimes overlooked owing to wind energy’s several benefits, deserves timely attention.

Balancing clean energy generation with biodiversity conservation is a critical focus for wind farms.