IdentiFlight Expands Into South Africa Via Boulder Imaging-Roc Conservation Tech Partnership

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- IdentiFlight has expanded its global reach and enhanced wildlife conservation in the wind energy sector through a partnership of Boulder Imaging with Roc Conservation Tech.

According to IdentiFlight in a statement, the collaboration will strengthen its presence in South Africa’s renewable energy industry, aligning with both companies’ commitment to bridging technology and environmental conservation.

As South Africa undergoes a renewable energy transformation, Roc Conservation Tech is poised to support this shift by leveraging its expertise in bird detection systems, conservation drones, and environmental monitoring.

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The partnership aims to mitigate the impact of wind energy on biodiversity, with the IdentiFlight system, known for its 99 per cent accuracy in bird detection, having already proven effective in reducing avian fatalities at wind farms by more than 85 per cent across 12 countries on five continents.

Boulder Imaging president and chief operating officer, Don Mills said strategic partnerships are crucial for the company’s mission and IdentiFlight’s global growth.

“By collaborating with Roc Conservation Tech, we are bringing a wealth of local expertise and resources to the South African market, enhancing our ability to efficiently and responsively serve our customers,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Roc Conservation Tech founder, Dirk van der Walt emphasised the importance of balancing sustainable energy growth with biodiversity protection, particularly in light of South Africa's expanding wind energy sector.

“Partnering with IdentiFlight to deploy these systems in South African wind farms will help ensure that renewable energy expansion in the region is both responsible and sustainable,” he said.

Developed by Boulder Imaging, IdentiFlight uses artificial intelligence and optical sensors to detect, classify, and mitigate risks to bird species, including the Cape vulture and martial eagle. The system automatically curtails wind turbines when collision risks exceed set thresholds, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

The first IdentiFlight station in South Africa was installed in June 2024 and has been trained to detect and classify over 20 species with more than 98 per cent accuracy, including the African marsh harrier and African fish eagle.

-- BERNAMA