North Sea wind farms are exceeding energy targets, but what about the ocean’s flora and fauna?

Offshore wind farms are an essential part of the Netherlands’ energy transformation. The offshore wind target was exceeded in 2023: the current capacity is 4.7 gigawatts, 0.2 gigawatts more than the target. There will only be more wind turbines at sea. By 2030, the Lower House wants 21 GW of wind farms in the North Sea. They will provide 16% of all energy in the Netherlands and 75% of current electricity consumption. But what impact will these parks have on the sea and its animals?

Impact on nature

For example, millions of birds migrate across the North Sea every year. Estimates of the number of birds dying from entering wind turbines are difficult to verify because the carcasses fall into the sea and float away. Vattenfall will now use unique thermal imaging cameras at the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm to reduce bird casualties caused by offshore wind farms.

For this study, one of the turbines will be equipped with 16 infrared cameras covering all corners of the turbine. The cameras operate 24/7 and use artificial intelligence and special software to detect falling objects and select appropriate images. The cameras also work at night and in bad weather, such as rain or fog. They can spot small birds from about 120 meters away. For large birds, the camera range is up to 300 meters. Wildlife Imaging Systems provides the camera and AI solution.

The research starts in August and lasts a year. It focuses on the autumn and spring migration periods and collaborates with Wageningen Environmental Research, part of Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

The cameras are designed to collect data on bird collisions and their impact on bird populations. This is crucial to support the licensing of new wind farms. Karen Krijgsveld from Wageningen University is involved in the Vattenfall project as a scientist. He told Dutch newspaper Trouw that the songbirds, which fly mainly at night over the sea, are at risk during mass migrations that take place about 20 times a year.

Strategic location of wind farms

Choosing a location for wind farms is a delicate issue. Not only the flight paths of birds must be taken into account, but also the habitats of other marine animals. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) emphasizes the importance of locating wind farms outside marine protected areas. The aim is to restore biodiversity and preserve ecological space.

According to the European Birds and Habitats Directive and the Marine Framework Directive, nature is under great pressure. Therefore, WWF advocates the construction of wind farms outside the yet to be implemented ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas.

Innovation and research

However, the construction of wind farms also involves noise and vibration, which can disrupt marine mammals and fish that rely on sound for orientation and communication. Flexibility and innovation are needed, such as building without piles and turning off turbines during periods of migration of marine life.

Research is needed on the impact of wind turbines on marine life, in combination with other human activities. WWF suggests creating a network of marine protected areas as climate buffers, providing space for offshore wind energy. The energy transition is sustainable through an appropriate balance between energy production and nature conservation.

Application

Wind energy on the south coast of the Netherlands is crucial for the transition to sustainable energy and achieving CO₂ reduction targets. At the same time, it is important that the further development of offshore wind energy takes nature into account. Through monitoring, strategic planning and innovative techniques, a balance between sustainable energy production and nature conservation can be achieved.