The Netherlands’ energy ministry has tested out a novel approach to protecting migrating birds from any potential hazards posed by offshore wind turbines: briefly shutting down windfarms. 

During a short four-hour nighttime test, the Borssele and Egmond aan Zee wind farms were shut down to bare minimum speed, allowing migrating seabirds to fly by with lower risk. According to energy minister Rob Jetten, the test was an “international first” for efforts to mitigate the impact of offshore wind farms on bird migration.