Advocates Urge Change as Wind Turbines Threaten Bats in Canada

Wind turbines in Canada have been linked to a significant decline in migratory bat populations, prompting urgent calls for action from environmental advocates. According to experts, these turbines have been responsible for the deaths of thousands of bats over the years, raising serious concerns about the future of these vital species.

Cori Lausen, director of bat conservation with the Wildlife Conservation Society, stated, “We are not talking about if these migratory bats go extinct. We are just talking about when.” Three bat species in Canada—the hoary bat, eastern red bat, and silver-haired bat—are now classified as endangered, as per Canada’s Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife. The Canadian federal government is currently reviewing whether to include them under the Species at Risk Act.

Research published in the journal Biological Conservation in 2017 indicated that the hoary bat population could decline by 50 to 90 percent over the next fifty years, with potential extinction within the century if current trends continue.

Understanding the Threat to Bats

Lausen’s awareness of the dangers posed by wind turbines dates back to the early 2000s during her studies at the University of Calgary. At that time, TransAlta, operating one of Canada’s first wind energy projects, sought her help after numerous dead bats were discovered beneath their turbines near Pincher Creek, located approximately 200 km south of Calgary.

“Seeing the dead bats is really hard because these are long-lived mammals that can’t withstand these high fatality rates,” Lausen reflected. The primary causes of death were collisions with turbine blades and rapid changes in air pressure near the turbines. Despite this knowledge, the reasons for bats approaching the turbines remained unclear. It is suggested that curiosity or misinterpretation of echolocation may lead them too close to the structures.

Bats play a crucial role in agriculture, consuming vast quantities of insects and reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Julia Palmer, a rancher from Pincher Creek, emphasized, “I cannot imagine what the insect population would have been if there hadn’t been this population of bats.”

Research published in Science in 2024 highlighted the agricultural consequences of declining bat populations, linking bat die-offs to increased pesticide use and higher infant mortality rates among livestock.

Proposed Solutions and Industry Response

In light of the rising number of bat fatalities, Lausen and her team proposed a solution known as “curtailment.” This involves pausing wind turbine operations during periods when bats are most active, particularly during calm weather. Lausen noted that implementing this strategy could be done with minimal impact on profits.

In 2013, Alberta established its first guidelines for wind energy projects concerning migratory bats, which included curtailment measures. A subsequent directive in 2017 set limits on the number of bat deaths permitted at wind farms. Although some provinces have similar regulations, the specifics vary across regions.

Currently, companies face no penalties for exceeding these thresholds; instead, they must enhance their curtailment measures to mitigate future fatalities. Lausen criticized this lack of accountability, stressing that the current thresholds do not account for the significant increase in the number of wind turbines since their implementation.

Kent Russell, a senior wildlife biologist and project manager with Western Ecosystems Technology Inc., advocates for “smart curtailment.” This technology would allow turbines to shut down only when bats are detected nearby, minimizing unnecessary downtime. Russell explained that the implementation of such technology would streamline operations and could be programmed to manage turbine activity based on bat migration patterns.

Sarah Palmer, a former director for a wind project owned by Potentia, highlighted the importance of regulatory acceptance of these new technologies. “What industry is looking for with the new technologies is for provinces to accept these new types of technologies as an option instead of blanket curtailment,” she stated.

As research continues to uncover insights into bat populations and migration routes, Lausen remains optimistic about the future. She advocates for stricter regulations on wind farm locations, particularly along migratory routes, as a critical step toward preventing the extinction of these vital species. “The hope that we can keep these bats from extinction is what keeps me going,” she shared. “Hopefully, we can keep these bats alive long enough to advance technologies for renewable energy to the point that maybe we won’t kill bats anymore.”