Offshore Wind Energy Deployment in the Offshore Wind Energy Deployment in the European UnionEuropean Union

Concerted Action for Offshore Wind Energy Concerted Action for Offshore Wind Energy Deployment (COD)Deployment (COD)

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

Ruud de Bruijne (SenterNovem)

Elke Bruns (TU-Berlin)Working Group meeting Wind & Nature Conservation

Brussels, 17 January 2006

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Results: All relevant studies in database (286) Impacts lower than postulated Siting most important for mitigation and social

acceptance(Single case results only – generalisation limited)

Future: Cumulative effects area for investigation Planning tools cumulative & trans national level

(e.g. SEA)

Environmental impact

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BenthosIncrease of biomass & biodiversity

FishPositive effects. Negative impacts negligible

Marine mammalsNo effects on habitats

BirdsAvoid wind farm area. No significant strikes seen

Environmental impact

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Database: contents

COD database www.offshorewindenergy.org 284 entries

number/ distribution of entries dependent on research activities

Denmark, the United Kingdom and Germany provide highest numbers of publications

Country Data records

BE (Belgium) 9

D (Germany) 56

DK (Denmark) 119

IRL (Ireland) 5

NL (Netherlands) 19

PL (Poland) 1

SE (Sweden) 6

UK (United Kingdom) 69

∑ 284

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Environmental planning and assessment

pilot offshore projects on different sites necessary to gain more experience on factual effects

continued adjustment of assessment procedures, tools and standards

in view accumulative or transboundary effects in view of high background stress level

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Components of the marine ecosystem

(potential receptors) birds (sea birds, resting birds,

migrating birds) marine mammals fish benthos soil/seabed hydrology

visual landscape men

Observations:

the list widely represents a similar interpretation of national EIA-regulations

harmonisation of investigation methods desirable

different levels of investigation needs

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Potential effects

barrier and scaring effects collision risks (birds / bats) noise disturbing effects electromagnetic fields

(cables) introduction of artificial / hard

substrates sedimentation / turbidity changes in hydrography visual intrusion, ship collision

Observations:

listed scope of potential effects is generally approved

more knowlegde about effects on the factual level was made available

results from Danish monitoring and effect studies most helpful

But: few effects are quantifiable

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Main potential impacts (e.g.) loss of habitats due to disturbance effects / avoidance physical damage due to noise (ramming)

Results from effect/monitoring studies: no direct impacts (physical damage) stated avoidance of habitats was not observed

Recommendation: accumulation of effects and impacts on population stability (e.g. by noise,

disturbance) has to be monitored

Impacts on marine mammals

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Main potential impacts (e.g.): loss of habitats due to disturbance bird collision

Observations: higher collision risks for migrating birds avoidance of wind farm areas is also observed habituation / avoidance behaviour is species-specific differentiation between migrating birds and seabirds/resting birds needed collision rates: no reliable numbers

Recommendations: high priority: monitoring of wind farm related accumulative effectsmonitoring of collision risks (quantifying methods)development of models to support predictions of habitat loss and change

Impacts on birds

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Main potential impacts: habitat loss due to foundation / scour protection change of species composition due to artificial substrate

Observations: increase of biomass and increase of biodiversity possible exclusion of fisheries in wind farm areas lead to positive effects

Recommendations: monitoring of accumulative effects adjustment of evaluation standards (depending on local protection

aims)

Impacts on benthos

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Main potential impacts: disturbance effects during construction phase turbidity electromagnetism (follow-up effect)

Observations: consideration of isolated effects on fish stocks is difficult improvement of nutrients (biomass) due to artificial reef-effect wind farm areas may serve as refuge for fish (exclusion of fishery)

Recommendations: not available

Impacts on fish

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Up to now: single case results only – generalisation is limited!

effects on project level seem less invasive than expected,

accumulative impacts on the background of a high stress level are dominant !

avoidance strategies on superior level (SEA, spatial planning) are required

proper site selection seems most important for mitigation and social acceptance

pilot wind farms accompanied by a compulsory monitoring scheme

Conclusions

COD

But: