The El Singla wind farm, located in Prugnanes, was the scene of a shocking discovery on December 9, 2024. The corpse of a griffon vulturea species listed on the IUCN red list, was found at the foot of one of the site's nine wind turbines. This sad discovery immediately triggered a reaction from local authorities.
Faced with this alarming situation, the Pyrénées-Orientales prefecture has taken an emergency decision: restrict wind farm activity to nighttime hours. This measure aims to reduce the risk of collision for diurnal raptors, including the griffon vulture. On the other hand, some experts question the effectiveness of this solution.
Rossano Pulpito, president of the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) of the department, expresses his doubts: “The birds of prey fly at night, we are only shifting the problem in these cases.” This reflection underlines the complexity of reconciling the transition to clean energies with the preservation of biodiversity.
The deadly dangers of wind turbines for vultures
Wind turbines pose a serious threat to large birds of prey such as the griffon vulture. Yves Aleman, member of the Roussillon ornithological group, explains: “A wind turbine blade spins at 200 km/h… A collision quickly becomes fatal.” This dramatic difference in speed between the bird in flight (around 20 km/h) and the rotating blades often causes fatal accidents.
The consequences of these collisions are devastating for vultures:
- Decapitation
- Amputation of limbs
- Instant death
The proximity of the El Singla wind farm to the Gorges de Galamus, a site home to three species of vultures nesting in France, increases the risk of such accidents. This situation highlights the need for careful planning wind turbine installations, taking into account migration corridors and nesting areas of threatened species.
The griffon vulture: an endangered species in transit
Although the Pyrénées-Orientales is not a permanent habitat for the griffon vulture, this department plays an essential role in the survival of the species. According to Yves Aleman, “They nest in Aude and in the north of Spain, so they use the OP as a transition corridor”. This use of the territory as a transit zone underlines the importance of preserve ecological corridors for these endangered birds.
The population of griffon vultures in the region is estimated at around a hundred individuals. This figure, although modest, is significant for a species facing multiple threats. Here is an overview of the challenges facing these raptors:
| Menace | Impact |
|---|---|
| Wind turbines | Fatal collisions |
| Loss of habitat | Reduction of nesting areas |
| Poisoning | Ingestion of contaminated carcasses |
| Climate change | Modification of ecosystems and food resources |
Towards harmonious coexistence
The Prugnanes incident raises crucial questions about cohabitation between renewable energies and wildlife. It is imperative to find a balance between the need to develop clean energy sources and the protection of endangered species. Innovative solutions must be studied, such as:
- Using advanced detection systems to stop wind turbines when birds approach
- The creation of buffer zones around wind farms in sensitive regions
- Improving environmental impact studies before installing new wind turbines
- The development of alternative energy technologies that have less impact on flying wildlife
The tragedy of the griffon vulture in Prugnanes must serve as a catalyst for broader reflection on our approach to the energy transition. It is crucial to recognize that the fight against climate change and the preservation of biodiversity are two sides of the same coin. By working together, scientists, policymakers and industry can pave the way for a future where clean energy and wildlife coexist harmoniously.
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