The growing number of offshore wind farms is starting to provide real-world data on the effects of these installations on marine life. Long a source of concern among wind power opponents, the impact of offshore turbines on birds, sea mammals, and various undersea creatures is being carefully monitored at various installations.
A study recently published by the Marine Environment Monitoring Program (MEMP) reported on the marine life around a UK offshore wind farm that has been operating since 2007.
The study’s key finding is that there are no significant impact on any of the monitored sea life even during the construction phase. The Robin Rigg wind farm located off the coast of Scotland features 60 3-megawatt turbines connected with undersea cables extending over a mile to an offshore substation.
The study reported no significant or long-term effects on fish and bird species in the area, on the numbers of harbor porpoises and grey seals, or on benthic fauna (sea slugs, worms, mollusks and the like).
The MEMP study is consistent with previous reports, such as a 2011 study that examined the environment around a wind farm off the Dutch North Sea coast. That study not only showed few negative impacts of wind installations, but overall positive effects on marine life from the wind farm.
The environmental consequences of offshore wind are a subject of continued study, but data are accumulating that encourage the continued development of this energy source.
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Marine Life Unhindered by Offshore Wind Farm, Study Says
Photo, taken on July 1, 2009, courtesy of Kim Hansen via Flickr.
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