Highland Wind Farms

In addition to the Lesotho Highland Water Project (LHWP), there is now also the Lesotho Highlands Power Project (LHPP). It) will generate 6,000 megawatts of wind power and 4,000MW of hydropower, equivalent to about 5% of SA's electricity needs.

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/31/lesotho-harness-wind-water-energy
www.care2.com/causes/a-15-billion-wind-power-project-for-lesotho.html
mg.co.za/article/2011-11-04-mountains-could-boost-lesothos-frail-economy/

Wind power is clean energy, thats great. And there is the promise of jobs and a boost in Lesotho's economy. No doubt the country struggles with poverty and this prospect is very attractive. It remains to be seen however how much this will really help the every day Basotho, as the water scheme had the same promises but seems to have failed in this regard.

The wind turbines will apparently be structures more than 100m tall! And they may be erected close to the Drakensberg escarpment probably creating a massive visual impact for visitors on the escarpment. And it it will be problem for the lammergeier who are already under threat from power lines and poison. I fear these environmental considerations may not be able to stand against motives for revenue and development. I hope these wind farms are erected well away from the UDP-WHS in areas which are not frequented by tourists and hikers. Surely there is plenty of room for that.

Looks like Mafika Lisiu Pass?

I actually don't mind them putting up the wind turbines there, except that this is Bokong Nature Reserve, but in the general area would be OK. Problem is that the intention is to put them up closer to the escarpment.

Im starting to hear more chatter about the proposed wind farms, in particular the impact it will have on the vultures.

Development could further endanger the Southern Africa’s rare bearded vultures

Globally, two distinct subspecies of bearded vulture are recognized – G. b. barbatus, in Europe, Asia and North Africa), and G. b. merodionalis, in Ethiopia, east Africa (where only a few pairs remain) and southern Africa.

In southern Africa bearded vultures have declined by 30-50% in the last few decades. Currently it is estimated that only 352-390 bearded vultures live in the region, and the species has therefore been classified as Critically Endangered in the red data list for the birds of southern Africa.

Now, some of these birds are further threatened by a new wind-farm in the Maloti Mountains, recently approved by the Lesotho government. The proposed development - 42 850KW turbines and associated infrastructure such as powerlines, substations and access roads, is within the breeding and foraging range of several bearded vultures and also some endemic Cape Vulture Coprotheres Gyps.

In general, conservation NGOs and the VCF favour renewable energy, as a way to minimise climate change, which also has severe consequences on biodiversity and vultures, but extra care should be exercised when planning the location of wind farms, as these developments are known to have severe impacts on bats, migrating birds, and soaring raptors, including vultures. Thus, a proper assessment should be made, including all the provisions included in national and international legislations.

In this case, evidence that the site selected for the development was not ideal is overwhelming - Ian Rushworth and Sonja Krüger, from Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, prepared a Population Viability Analysis modeling the potential impacts of this development on the Bearded Vulture population, and these were very serious. These researchers used data from ten Bearded Vultures fitted with solar-powered satellite tags to determine the size and location of the core foraging range of the species as well as the speed of travel and height above ground at which they forage.

The modeling found out that Bearded Vultures actively select ridge tops and upper slopes like the one where the wind-farm will be built, and spend at least half their foraging time less than 100 m above ground level, within the blade swept height of the proposed development, and hence at risk of collision. This, coupled with a small, isolated and declining population, means that wind farm developments in the Lesotho highlands, even at a modest scale, may have a catastrophic impact on this species. Because of their low reproductive rate and long life span, this population will be unable to recover from an accumulative loss of individuals.

However, preliminary clearance has now been given, subject to a one year study via a radar system, to assess bird mortality risks. The VCF adds its voice to colleagues in Southern Africa asking the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture in Lesotho to take seriously the results of this radar study and revoke the permit if impacts on vultures that are beyond mitigation are clearly identified. (Photo of Southern Africa adult bearded vulture by Sonja Krueger)
Photo: VCF adds its voice to conservationists in Southern Africa that ask for a serious evaluation of impacts of pre-approved wind farm in Lesotho Development could further endanger the Southern Africa’s rare bearded vultures Globally, two distinct subspecies of bearded vulture are recognized – G. b. barbatus, in Europe, Asia and North Africa), and G. b. merodionalis, in Ethiopia, east Africa (where only a few pairs remain) and southern Africa. In southern Africa bearded vultures have declined by 30-50% in the last few decades. Currently it is estimated that only 352-390 bearded vultures live in the region, and the species has therefore been classified as Critically Endangered in the red data list for the birds of southern Africa. Now, some of these birds are further threatened by a new wind-farm in the Maloti Mountains, recently approved by the Lesotho government.

The proposed development - 42 850KW turbines and associated infrastructure such as powerlines, substations and access roads, is within the breeding and foraging range of several bearded vultures and also some endemic Cape Vulture Coprotheres Gyps. In general, conservation NGOs and the VCF favour renewable energy, as a way to minimise climate change, which also has severe consequences on biodiversity and vultures, but extra care should be exercised when planning the location of wind farms, as these developments are known to have severe impacts on bats, migrating birds, and soaring raptors, including vultures. Thus, a proper assessment should be made, including all the provisions included in national and international legislations. In this case, evidence that the site selected for the development was not ideal is overwhelming - Ian Rushworth and Sonja Krüger, from Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, prepared a Population Viability Analysis modeling the potential impacts of this development on the Bearded Vulture population, and these were very serious. These researchers used data from ten Bearded Vultures fitted with solar-powered satellite tags to determine the size and location of the core foraging range of the species as well as the speed of travel and height above ground at which they forage. The modeling found out that Bearded Vultures actively select ridge tops and upper slopes like the one where the wind-farm will be built, and spend at least half their foraging time less than 100 m above ground level, within the blade swept height of the proposed development, and hence at risk of collision. This, coupled with a small, isolated and declining population, means that wind farm developments in the Lesotho highlands, even at a modest scale, may have a catastrophic impact on this species. Because of their low reproductive rate and long life span, this population will be unable to recover from an accumulative loss of individuals.

However, preliminary clearance has now been given, subject to a one year study via a radar system, to assess bird mortality risks. The VCF adds its voice to colleagues in Southern Africa asking the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture in Lesotho to take seriously the results of this radar study and revoke the permit if impacts on vultures that are beyond mitigation are clearly identified.

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So this thread will probably start to feature more among other threads like Sani Pass upgrade, fracking, cable car etc.