Oikon brings leading bird protection technologies to wind farms in SE Europe

3 months ago 1

July 30, 2025 – Across Southeast Europe, the growth of wind energy is accelerating, driven by climate commitments, EU targets, and strong natural wind potential. But as wind farms multiply, so does the need to ensure that nature, especially vulnerable bird species, is not left behind.

Recognising this, the leading Croatian environmental consultancy Oikon Ltd. – Institute of Applied Ecology is expanding its support to wind energy developers by providing access to world-leading bird protection systems that help meet existing environmental regulations.

Oikon now serves as the regional representative for three globally recognised bird detection and turbine control technologies: IdentiFlight (USA), Robin Radar Systems (Netherlands), and ProtecBird (Germany). These technologies enable wind farms to implement Shutdown on Demand (SDOD), a smart approach that temporarily halts turbine blades when protected bird species are at risk, significantly reducing collision fatalities.

“SDOD is rapidly becoming a standard requirement for wind projects operating near sensitive bird habitats,” says Dalibor Hatić, CEO of Oikon. “These technologies are already being requested by permitting authorities. We’re helping developers access proven and reliable systems to fulfil those obligations.”

Supporting compliance with real-world solutions

Rather than relying on long turbine curtailments or seasonal shutdowns, SDOD activates only when birds are in danger. This minimises both bird mortality and energy losses, which is a win-win situation for both biodiversity and for renewable energy targets.

Each system brings unique strengths:

IdentiFlight is a true 3D system that uses artificial intelligence and high-speed cameras to identify bird species in real time. IdentiFlight solution is installed on individual towers and can be spatially organised to provide optimal coverage of the protected area. Website: link
Robin Radar Systems offer a full 360°, 3D purpose-built avian radar, tracking birds and bats over an extensive range – day or night. MAX has unique technology capable of monitoring and recording thousands of bird tracks simultaneously with industry-leading accuracy due to its fastest rotation speed in the market. Website: link
ProtecBird’s AVES Wind® system is a turbine-mounted solution that combines pan-tilt-zoom cameras, real-time tracking software, and AI to detect, identify bird species, calculate their 3D position, control turbine operations, and generate documentation for regulatory compliance. Website: link

All systems can be used for SDOD and research purposes. All systems utilise high-quality military-grade resilient components and technology, ensuring their functionality regardless of weather conditions.

Oikon’s role is to make these internationally proven technologies available in Southeast Europe and ensure their integration aligns with local ecological, technical, and regulatory conditions. The company supports developers in meeting the requirements set by the European Union and national nature protection laws, including mitigation measures often mandated by environmental authorities.

“Our responsibility is to help projects succeed without compromising nature,” Hatić explains. “The measures are already defined in regulation and permitting frameworks, and our job is to deliver the tools that make those measures implementable and effective.”

Experience built on trust and expertise

With over 27 years of experience in ecological research, environmental consulting, and biodiversity monitoring, Oikon has worked with national governments, developers, financial institutions, and conservation organisations across the region. From Croatia to Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Cyprus, and Turkey, the company has supported hundreds of projects in aligning development with ecological protection.

The expansion into technology provision is a natural extension of that expertise. It ensures that developers have access not only to guidance but also to the tools needed to meet evolving environmental standards.

To learn more about these technologies, visit: link