Natural England Publishes Research to Support Offshore Wind

Natural England has published several research reports to inform and support the sustainable development of offshore windfarms.

Natural England (NE) has also posted a blog summarising which reports have been published, including the following:

• Boosting offshore wind skills for environmental professions, which looks at improving learning and development for the future offshore wind work force, including Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies providing input to the development of university modules, case studies, field courses, Masters, PhDs, industry placements, internships and apprenticeships, and providing clear development and career paths.
• Assessing the potential for offshore infrastructure as platforms for environmental monitoring including installing cameras and other environmental sensors on turbines.
• Future environmental scenarios for offshore wind expansion around the UK to facilitate early consideration of effects and possible mitigation or compensation.
• Marine birds: vision-based wind turbine collision mitigation in which NE reviewed the use of black and white patterns on turbines and blades considering how various bird species can best detect them under a range of conditions at sea, and so avoid collisions.
• Assessment of compensatory measures for impacts of offshore windfarms on seabirds which assess scenarios for compensation to impacts on birds from collision.
• Spatial assessment of benthic compensatory habitats for offshore wind farm impacts considering 51 seabed habitats which have a similar or identical ecological function and ecosystem service, and mapping their range or range of close equivalent substitutes.
• Nature conservation considerations and environmental best practice for subsea cables for English Inshore and UK offshore waters. The report identifies the main pressures, sensitive habitats, and best practice during development.