Swedish energy giant and offshore wind leader Vattenfall has announced it is funding a €3 million study into the environmental impact of offshore wind.
Vattenfall will launch a €3 million scientific research program intended to understand the environmental impacts of offshore wind. It is believed that this study will be the largest of its kind, and will be hosted at the wind farm developer’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) — which it acquired 100% ownership of earlier this year. A scientific panel which will be advising the allocation of the fund have called on scientists to apply for funding to study the environment in the environs of the 11 turbine EOWDC installation.
“In-depth scientific research and monitoring in a real-time environment is recognized as vital to maximizing the learning opportunities for the offshore wind sector,” said Adam Ezzamel, project director for the EOWDC at Vattenfall. “We’re pleased that the research will take place at the EOWDC as it underlines the importance of the scheme as a global hub of innovation.
“We are working collaboratively with a number of key environmental agencies to allocate the research budget, and look forward to working closely with the successful parties to facilitate exceptional science.”
Development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre was placed on hold after Donald Trump ran legal challenges to hinder its development, as it is located near a future golf course he is developing in Aberdeen. However, late last year that challenge was dismissed, and development began for the center.
Aly McCluskie, senior conservation scientist at RSPB Scotland, said: “Offshore wind has huge potential to help reduce our carbon emissions but we need to improve our understanding of its environmental effects to help ensure developments happen without harming wildlife. This research programme at EOWDC provides an excellent opportunity to contribute towards this and RSPB Scotland are very pleased to support its launch.”
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