Offshore wind farms may actually help wildlife

Detractors of wind power - the Donald Trumps of this world - and even environmentalists who would otherwise have been in favour, often claim that wind turbines, and especially offshore wind turbines, are deleterious, even downright dangerous, for wildlife and biodiversity. Opponents point to the disruption of the marine environment during construction (and decommissioning) of offshore wind turbines, the distraction of larger fish and whales due to the noise and vibration of the turbines, and the effects of electromagnetic fields around them, although the ramifications of many of these issues are still not well understood or proven.

But data from Europe over the last few years is starting to tell a different story. It turns out that European windfarms in the North Sea may actually be offering new areas of protection for marine wildlife, including for some threatened species like great seals and North Sea cod. The huge underwater turbine towers can provide a home for some species, and reefs of marine life have begun to form on them (the construction of artificial reefs is also a possibility). They also provide protected areas where fishing vessels cannot access, thus reducing the risks of overfishing.

Other research shows that, while the construction phase of offshore wind turbines does disrupt fish and predator numbers, they very quickly come back after construction is completed, often in even larger numbers, as stationary and mobile species use the constructions as a kind of ready-made reef. Predators like seals also come back in turn. They may change their methods of hunting a bit but they too seem very happy with the new additions to the seascape.

The jury is still out and more research and data is needed, but it is possible that the positive side effects of wind farms may outweigh any unfortunate negative ones.