Danish experience since 1991 has shown that offshore wind farms
are an attractive option for energy generation. Still they also
have an impact on the surroundings in terms of visual intrusion,
noise and impacts on nature.
Current Environmental Monitoring Program
As a follow up on the former Environmental Monitoring program
(1999-2006) is a new program initiated.
This new follow up program is building upon the result of the
former program and and is focusing on:
- Harbour porpoises
- Water birds
- Físh communities
See the project desciptions for the follow up program here
The scientific quality of the project is assesed by the experts
from the idependent scientific panel IAPEME.
The former Environmental Monitoring Program (1999 -
2006)
In order to ensure that the development of large scale offshore
wind power parks takes place with due consideration to natural and
environmental interests, an environmental programme was implemented
for the large scale Nysted I and Horns Rev I.
The implementation of an environmental programme is therefore a
condition of approval by the Danish Energy Authority of the
demonstration offshore windfarms. A panel of experts consisting of
internationally recognised experts in the natural and environmental
field was appointed to follow a monitoring programme before, during
and after the establishment of the farms (IAPEME).
During the
period 1999–2006 a comprehensive environmental monitoring
programme was carried out in order to evaluate the environmental
im-
pact of two of the biggest offshore wind farms in the world: the
Horns
Rev Offshore Wind Farm and the Nysted Offshore Wind
Farm.
The general conclusion from the
environmental programme of Horns Rev and Nysted is that offshore
wind power is indeed possible to engineer in an environmentally
sustainable manner that does not lead to significant damage to
nature. In this respect, the prospects for future expansion of
offshore wind farms look bright.
The building permits for Horns Rev and Nysted included an
obligation to carry out comprehensive environmental monitoring
programmes that should include detailed measurement of the
environmental conditions before, during and after the two wind
farms were established.
Between 1999 and 2001, as part of the Environmental Impact
Assessments (EIAs) and as the basis for the Horns Rev and Nysted
environmental monitoring programme, baseline studies were
undertaken in order to establish a reference for later analysis to
be able to comparethe existing environmental conditions to the
introduction of a wind farm.
The environmental monitoring programme was initiated following the
completion of the EIAs and the baseline studies. The work has been
co-ordinated by the Environmental Group consisting of the Danish
Forest and Nature Agency, the Danish Energy Agency, Vattenfall and
DONG Energy.
The results of the studies have been evaluated by the
International Advisory Panel of Experts on Marine Ecology (IAPEME),
consisting of experts with unique competence within the individual
branches of the entire monitoring programme. These experts have
evaluated the progress of the programme and made recommen-
dations for future monitoring approximately once a year.
The decision-making process relating to the programme has been
characterised by openness and constant dialogue between all parties
involved. For instance the Environmental Group has been in constant
dialogue with a “Green Group” consisting of representatives from
the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Danish Society for Nature
Conservation, the Danish Outdoor Council, Greenpeace, the Danish
Ornithological Society and the Danish Organisation for Renewable
Energy
Focus of the environmental studies
The studies and analyses in the environmental monitoring programme
have dealt with:
Benthic fauna and vegetation: Studies of bottom fauna and
vegetation, including the food basis for fish, with
particular focus on the introduction of a hard bottom habitats, eg
the turbine foundation and scour protection.
Fish: Studies of the distribution of fish around the wind
turbines and the scour protection and the impact of
electromagnetic fields on fish.
Marine mammals: Studies of the behaviour of harbour
porpoises and seals in and near the wind farm areas. - Birds:
Studies of resting, foraging and moulting birds, including
modelling of collision risks and monitoring of bird collisions with
wind turbines.
Attitudes: Sociological and environmental economic
studies of people’s attitudes towards the wind farms.
Reports from the program
Review reports
The Danish offshore Wind farm
demonstration project: EIA and monitoring - 2005
The Danish offshore Wind farm
demonstration project: EIA and monitoring - 2004
The Danish Offshore Wind Farm
Demonstration Project - review report 2004
The Danish Offshore Wind Farm
Demonstration Project - review report 2003
The Danish offshore Wind farm
demonstration project: EIA and monitoring - 2003
The Danish offshore Wind farm
demonstration project: EIA and monitoring - 2002
Various reports
Final report on bird studies at the
offshore wind farms at Nysted and Horns Rev -
2006
Statement from International Advisory
Panel - 2006
Statement from International Advisory
Panel - 2006
Summary on harbour porpoise monitoring -
2006
summary on seal monitoring -
2006
Economic valuation of the visual
externalities of offshore wind farms - 2005
Economic valuation of the visual
externalities of offshore wind farms - 2005
Other offshore wind farms
Utgrunden offshore wind farm, measurements
of underwater noise - 2003
Possible effects of the offshore wind farm
at Vindeby on the outcome of fishing -
2002