Several On-shore Wind Energy Projects along the Red Sea Coast of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Organisation ambition
The Government of Egypt has taken steps to adopt an energy diversification strategy through the increased development of renewable energy. As part of this effort, Egypt is implementing an ambitious plan to expand the contribution of renewable energy in the national power mix. A major component of this energy transition is the development of wind energy projects along the Red Sea coast. This region forms part of one of the most significant migratory corridors for soaring birds, such as raptors and storks, which may be particularly vulnerable to collisions with turbines.
Project purpose
In support of this national ambition, several companies are developing onshore wind energy projects along the Gulf of Suez. The Biodiversity Consultancy has been appointed as the biodiversity advisor for six of these projects, representing a combined planned capacity of 2.8 GW. Our role is to ensure that each project aligns with international biodiversity and sustainability standards including IFC Performance Standard 6 (PS6), EBRD Performance Requirement 6 (PR6), and good international industry practice (GIIP).
Challenge – reconciling wind energy development in one of the world’s top wind resource regions with nature conservation
Egypt’s Red Sea coast particularly around the Gulf of Suez offers exceptional wind energy potential, making it a strategic location for large-scale renewable energy development. However, this same region is a critical part of one of the world’s main migratory flyways for soaring birds, which are especially susceptible to collisions with wind turbines. Without careful planning, renewable energy infrastructure could pose serious risks to vulnerable bird populations.
Notably, the area supports migration routes for globally threatened species such as the Steppe Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, and Greater Spotted Eagle, as well as a substantial portion of the flyway populations of White Stork, Levant Sparrowhawk, and Honey Buzzard. Reflecting its ecological significance, part of this region has been designated as both an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International and a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA).
Each spring and autumn, hundreds of thousands of raptors and storks travel along a narrow corridor of flatlands between the Red Sea mountain range and the Gulf of Suez - an area that overlaps with existing and planned wind energy sites. This creates a direct conflict between climate mitigation objectives and biodiversity conservation, underscoring the urgent need for robust biodiversity planning and mitigation strategies.
In addition to birds, the Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard, listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is known to inhabit several project areas. This burrow-dwelling species is at risk from ground disturbance during construction, further highlighting the need for site-sensitive planning.
Integrating biodiversity considerations from the earliest stages of project development is essential to ensure wind energy expansion supports both climate and nature goals. Proactive mitigation measures such as careful site selection, turbine placement, and species monitoring are critical to avoiding and minimizing harm, and to aligning clean energy development with Egypt’s commitments to global biodiversity conservation.
Our approach - biodiversity risk assessment and action planning across project lifecycle
The Biodiversity Consultancy (TBC) has supported multiple wind energy projects in collaboration with various organisations on-site, across different stages of the project lifecycle, as outlined below.
1. Biodiversity risk screening
Risk screening was undertaken for the first private sector project to operate in the region which was the first to align with IFC Performance Standard 6 (IFC PS6) and EBRD Performance Requirement 6. This early-stage assessment enabled the identification of key biodiversity risks, including the potential presence of critical habitat-qualifying features and Priority Biodiversity Features. It also highlighted information gaps and outlined recommended next steps to guide further assessment and mitigation planning.
In partnership with other environmental and sustainability consultancies, The Biodiversity Consultancy has conducted due diligence on behalf of lenders for five wind energy projects in the region, totalling 1.9 GW of capacity. This work ensures alignment with sustainability and biodiversity requirements and involves extensive engagement with key stakeholders including regulators, lenders, developers, technical consultants, local experts, and NGOs.
3. Critical Habitat Assessment
TBC has carried out IFC PS6- and EBRD PR6-aligned critical habitat assessments for three projects in the region. These assessments identified critical habitat-triggering species, Priority Biodiversity Features, and set corresponding targets to achieve no net loss or a net gain in biodiversity.
4. Cumulative Effects Assessment
Cumulative effects assessments (CEA) consider the combined impact of all wind energy projects and other potential pressures on Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs). For migratory soaring birds, the CEA estimates the maximum number of individuals that can be affected by human activities without causing population-level declines. These insights are critical for designing effective mitigation strategies that support outcomes of no net loss or net gain in biodiversity, as appropriate.
5. Biodiversity Action Plan
The Biodiversity Consultancy has developed Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) for four wind farms in the region, representing a combined installed capacity of 2.4 GW. These plans identify key biodiversity priorities, assess residual impacts, and outline targeted mitigation measures. Actions include detailed protocols for turbine shutdown on demand, sometimes supported by radar technology and the translocation of Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizards. Additionally, the BAPs evaluate potential offset options to compensate for any residual impacts, ensuring a comprehensive approach to biodiversity management.
Designing offsets for migratory species that do not stay in the region for breeding or feeding is a challenge. TBC explored offset options for four projects in the region, focusing on actions that deliver positive outcomes for target species such as the Steppe Eagle and White Stork. These measures include retrofitting hazardous powerlines both within Egypt and internationally, with active engagement from a diverse range of stakeholders.
7. Construction and operational performance monitoring on behalf of the Lenders
With a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity risks, the application of advanced mitigation strategies, and strong collaborative relationships spanning regulators, developers, consultants, NGOs, and local experts, The Biodiversity Consultancy is well-positioned as a trusted partner for lenders operating in the region.
Outcome - mainstreaming advanced mitigation for onshore wind in Egypt to enable no net loss
Our involvement from the early stages of project development enabled early identification of biodiversity risks, especially for migratory soaring birds. As a key partner in most projects across the region, TBC has played a central role in mainstreaming state-of-the-art mitigation measures, particularly those aimed at preventing migratory soaring bird mortality from turbine collisions and ensuring that adaptive management is implemented.
We also provided viable options to offset residual impacts, allowing projects to achieve the no net loss and net gain targets and thus align with the requirements of lenders standards, GIIP and stakeholder expectations.
