Monitoring shows Ruginoasa wind farm integrates smoothly into local environment
A biodiversity monitoring programme at the Ruginoasa wind project has shown no significant negative impact on local flora and fauna, reinforcing the project's alignment with environmental best practices in renewable energy development. The monitoring, carried out throughout 2024 by local environmental consultancy Econova, was designed to assess the ecological footprint of the wind farm, focusing on the species inhabiting the area surrounding the turbines.
“Our observations from the first monitoring year indicate continuity in habitat use, without any detectable negative impacts,” said Iulian Cherghel, Econova Specialist. According to Cherghel, monitoring at the Ruginoasa wind project involved the use of multiple and complementary techniques. For instance, for bird mitigation, Econova performed observations from fixed vantage points, carefully recording all individuals seen through spotting scopes or binoculars; for bats, an acoustic monitoring from fixed points and transects was conducted. While Econova’s experts have concluded that no significant negative impacts on biodiversity have been observed, the report did note a few isolated cases as exceptions. These included the mortality of a single Corvus frugilegus and two Pipistrellus pipistrellus individuals. Whilst unfortunate, these are isolated events and do not indicate a wider systemic impact on the local fauna.
In addition to these observations, the report highlighted an unexpected positive outcome. “Interestingly, a positive ecological outcome was noted following construction: new aquatic habitats formed near turbines V248237 and V248232, which have since been actively utilised by local amphibian species, particularly the European green toad (Bufotes viridis) and the common spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus)”, he added. This suggests a positive interaction between the wind project and local amphibian populations, with these habitats providing valuable resources for the species.
This report demonstrates the compatibility of the wind project with the surrounding biodiversity and reinforces DRI’s commitment to minimising environmental impacts and promoting the sustainable coexistence of renewable energy infrastructure with local wildlife. DRI will continue to monitor and assess biodiversity at Ruginoasa to ensure the highest standards of environmental protection are maintained.
About Ruginoasa wind farm
The 60MW Ruginoasa wind farm has been generating power since December 2023 and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 38,000 tonnes annually, powering approximately 39,000 homes each year. As the first wind farm built in Romania in a decade, it has a lifespan of over 30 years and will play a key role in supporting Romania’s energy transition for decades to come.
In addition to Ruginoasa, DRI operates the 53MWp Glodeni I and 60MWp Glodeni II solar parks in Romania and is currently construction a fourth project in the country—a 126MWp solar park in Văcărești, Dâmbovița County. Across its priority markets, DRI now boasts a 1.4GW portfolio, comprising operating projects, projects under construction, and others at various stages of development. Discover more about our projects in Romania here.