Turbine bat deaths could fall without loss of power if wind speed triggers were raised, Victorian research finds

Wind energy along Australia’s east coast kills an average of 12 bats per turbine each year, consultants Symbolix found. Photograph: David Kelly/The Guardian

Victoria will consider changing windfarm guidelines after government research found lifting the wind speed at which turbines start spinning could significantly reduce bat deaths without notably affecting the energy generated.

Ecologist Emma Bennett has estimated between 25,000 and 50,000 bats die annually from collisions with the about 2,300 wind turbines operating in Victoria.