Starting July 1, 2025, it will be possible in Denmark to turn off warning lights on wind turbines at night if there are no planes or drones in their vicinity. The new regulations aim to reduce nuisance to local residents, which could make it easier to get approvals for more wind farms and support a green energy transition.
Until now, mandatory red flashing lights have been crucial for aviation safety, but often a nuisance to neighbors of wind farms – such as those near Nissum Bredning. The new regulations will allow the installation of radar and transponder systems that will automatically turn on lights when an aircraft is within at least a 7-kilometer radius.
The solution is supported by Green Power Denmark, among others, which hopes that the need for night lighting will be significantly reduced – up to 95% of the time, as is the case, for example, at the Vesterhav Nord and Syd farms. The systems will be expensive (the cost of installation is about DKK 7.5 million), but have the potential to reduce public protests against the turbines.
Safety will still be key – the lights will come on automatically in the event of a system failure or power outage. In addition, a weak red light will always be on to protect military traffic.
Wind farm owners will be able to voluntarily implement the new systems, and the first applications for approval will be available from July 2025.
