Criminal court convicts energy company over death of protected eagle at windfarm

A French court has ruled to suspend operations at the Bernagues wind farm in Hérault for one year following the death of a golden eagle. The bird, a protected species, collided with a turbine blade in January 2023.

On April 9, 2025, the Montpellier court found the wind farm operator, Energie Renouvelable du Languedoc (ERL), responsible and imposed a €200,000 fine, with half suspended. ERL’s director, François Daumard, was also fined €40,000, with half suspended.

The French Biodiversity Office (OFB) investigated the incident and found that a faulty bird detection system failed to prevent the collision. The eagle was a breeding male, part of a pair that had nested nearby since 2008. The wind farm, built in 2016, was operating in an area known for its wildlife, raising concerns about its impact on protected species.

The ruling was welcomed by environmental groups, including France Nature Environnement (FNE), which have long campaigned for stricter regulations on wind farms in ecologically sensitive areas.

During the January 2025 hearing, prosecutors initially sought a €750,000 fine for ERL and a €150,000 fine for its director, along with an immediate suspension of operations.

Although the court ruled for a lesser penalty, the case highlights the ongoing debate between renewable energy expansion and wildlife conservation. While wind energy is crucial for reducing carbon emissions, impacts on wildlife also remain important considerations when balancing the overall environmental impacts of projects.

With appreciation to Amineh Farasatmand for her contribution in preparing this blog.