A €1 Million Shutdown per Day: Spoor Using AI Resolves the Conflict Between Offshore Wind Farm and Birds' Biodiversity

Oslo-based startup Spoor has raised €8 million (approximately NT$290 million) in Series A funding to expand its AI-based bird monitoring technology for wind farms. The round was led by SET Ventures, with participation from Ørsted Ventures, EnBW New Ventures, and biodiversity-focused investor Superorganism.

Spoor applies computer vision and artificial intelligence to monitor and predict bird movements around wind farms, reducing the risk of collisions between migrating birds and turbine blades. The technology addresses a growing conflict between renewable energy expansion and wildlife protection.

Bird strikes have become a regulatory and financial challenge across Europe. Offshore wind farms are estimated to cause around 4.5 million bird deaths annually, with operators in countries such as France, Germany, and Spain facing fines, legal liability, or forced shutdowns during peak migration periods. According to Spoor co-founder and CEO Ask Helseth, a single day of shutdown can cost operators up to €1 million in lost revenue.

Similar tensions are emerging in Taiwan. Coastal wetlands in Changhua and proposed wind projects in Pingtung have drawn scrutiny due to their proximity to critical migratory routes and wintering grounds for protected bird species, complicating environmental impact approvals.

Spoor replaces manual observation methods—such as binocular surveys and carcass searches—with standard network cameras and proprietary AI models. The system can detect birds within a 2.5-kilometer radius with 96% accuracy, triggering real-time alerts that allow turbines to slow or stop, balancing energy production with biodiversity protection.

Reference:科技新報 Tech News