Why offshore wind farms?
The UK has a huge offshore wind resource which is currently virtually untapped. Offshore sites have the potential to accommodate large numbers of the most powerful wind turbines and thus have the potential to make large contributions to the UK's green, renewable energy supply.

What colour are offshore turbines?
For the purposes of navigational safety the lower sections of offshore turbines are required to be painted yellow to make the turbines easily visible to shipping. The upper section of offshore wind turbines are normally painted a light grey colour - the North Hoyle turbines for instance were painted 'submarine grey'.

Studies have suggested that as turbines are generally viewed wholly or largely against the sky, light grey is the most appropriate colour as it is closest to that of the lower part of the sky under the most frequent UK weather conditions.

What about danger to sea birds?
npower renewables has been surveying areas of Liverpool Bay since 2001 to gather information on bird populations and movements local to our offshore wind farm proposals. This data contributed to the Environmental Impact Assessment for North Hoyle and was used to assess the effect the wind farm has on bird life. The conclusions of this assessment and ongoing monitoring indicate there is no significant impact on the bird life around the North Hoyle Wind Farm including sensitive areas such as the Dee estuary.

Surveys are continuing around North Hoyle and further into Liverpool Bay, extending beyond the boundaries of the Gwynt y Môr project area. Several techniques are being used to gather this information:

• boat surveys with trained seabird surveyors are being undertaken at monthly intervals
• aerial surveys with trained seabird surveyors are being undertaken up to 8 times a year
• investigations are being made into using radar equipment to track bird movements

The specification for this survey work was developed through consultation with the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

The RSPB are supportive of the Government's targets for renewable energy generation, and believe that appropriately sited wind farms have the greatest potential to make a significant contribution to these initial targets.

Will shipping be safe around offshore wind farms?
Safety at sea is of paramount importance to npower renewables.

Work was undertaken prior to npower renewables' project areas being tendered to the Crown Estate, in order for us to pick the least sensitive sites. We looked at a wide range of factors including existing shipping patterns within Liverpool Bay which have been closely studied. We have also been in discussions with the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to ensure that navigational safety is taken into account in project designs while consultations are also held with commercial and recreational navigators.

Any mitigation measures identified as necessary for navigational safety are fully implemented in the design of an offshore wind farm.

Will there be safety zones around or within offshore wind farms?
npower renewables do not wish to exclude any navigation from their offshore wind farms. The new Energy Act (2004) introduces the concept of safety zones around offshore renewable installations, which could exclude navigation of certain vessels at specified distances from the structures. Safety zones would only be requested by npower renewables as a potential mitigation measure to ensure safety of navigation in the area is not compromised. The government, in determining consents for offshore wind farms, may also require safety zones in or around the projects to safeguard navigation.

No safety zones have been included around the North Hoyle Wind Farm.

How are offshore wind farms marked and lit?
Lighting and marking requirements are taken into account during the design process. npower renewables obtains guidance from the MCA, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Trinity Lighthouse Service, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and others, to make sure that the wind farm is appropriately marked and lit.

North Hoyle has been equipped with flashing yellow lights, fog horns, yellow paint and radar reflectors on key turbines. Red aviation lights have also been installed.

What effect will offshore wind farms have on fishing?
It is very important to npower renewables that offshore wind farms are developed in a sensitive way, taking into account other users of the sea.

Members of key fisheries organisations and representatives of the offshore wind industry sit on a Liaison Group, facilitated by the DTI, to look strategically at concerns raised by fishermen in relation to offshore wind farms. The Fisheries Liaison with Offshore Wind Group (FLOW) is looking at issues such as what types of fishing can take place within a wind farm, and the best way for the industries to coexist. npower renewables is actively involved in the group.

npower renewables' approach is to study the fish resource and fishing activity of the region within which a proposal sits and to discuss the project with the fishing industry. We sit on a regional group with other wind farm developers working in the North West strategic area. Where appropriate, discussions will be held at a regional level with relevant fishing organisations.

Scientific research indicates that large permanent offshore structures actually create feeding grounds for fish by attracting molluscs and other marine creatures. This has happened at npower renewables' North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm.

What is the life span of the wind farm?
The turbines and other plant have a warranted life-span of about 20 years, as on land. However, the lease awarded for an offshore site will last for 50 years, therefore npower renewables would anticipate replacing the first set of turbines with new ones during the wind farm's life time. At the end of the lease period, npower renewables will decommission the offshore wind farm or re apply for planning permission to replace the project.

back

top