Offshore wind power: how do we power healthy, thriving seas?
We take a look at how offshore wind development could help tackle the nature and climate crisis.
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To achieve the UK’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050, we will need to move away from fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gases, to sources of clean energy, such as solar and wind power. Here we examine the role of offshore wind and how new developments – when carefully sited in the least sensitive places – could drive positive change for nature..
What is offshore wind power?
Offshore wind power is generated by wind turbines that are built out at sea. When grouped together, these turbines are often known as ‘wind farms’. Put simply, the force of the wind rotates the turbine blades, which generates mechanical energy that can be converted into electricity.
Offshore wind farms are much larger than those on land, covering several hundred square kilometres. The individual turbines are bigger too, reaching three times the height of Big Ben.
How much offshore wind power do we need?
As part of the Mission Clean Power 2030 plan, the UK Government has set a target for the UK to have between 43 to 50 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2030, compared to 14.8 GW in 2024.
This steep increase is in line with the Climate Change Committee’s estimate that we will need around three times more offshore wind capacity by 2030, compared to 2024, in order to get climate action on track.
The RSPB’s position on offshore wind
We fully support the need to build more clean energy, including offshore wind. However, it is essential that new offshore wind developments are deployed in harmony with nature.
The UK offshore wind market is the second largest in the world, representing more than 40% of European offshore wind capacity. There is significant opportunity for offshore renewables to exist alongside a marine environment that is protected, enhanced and resilient to future environmental pressures. As a world leader in this industry, the UK should be leading by example and considering the needs of both nature and the climate equally.
How do offshore wind farms affect wildlife?
Offshore wind farms can affect wildlife in a number of ways:
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Risk of collision: Birds can be injured or killed by colliding with turbine blades.
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Disturbance: The construction and maintenance of wind farms can cause disturbance, as can boat activity in the area.
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Displacement: Wildlife may be forced to avoid areas that they once used for foraging.
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Barrier effects: Wind farms may physically block wildlife from using important travelling routes.
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Habitat loss: Construction of the turbines may damage the seabed and affect prey species that rely on this habitat. For example, wind farms are often built on sand banks, destroying important habitat for Sandeels, which in turn are a vital food source for seabirds.
How can the UK and devolved governments help?
We understand that to meet net zero targets there is a need to develop more offshore wind farms. However, to ensure that these new developments also support nature we recommend the following:
Effective Marine Spatial Planning
The best way to support the transition to clean energy and help meet nature recovery targets quickly is for the UK government and agencies to produce an effective marine spatial plan that prioritises activities at sea and ensures there is enough space for nature. This would allow new renewable energy projects to be developed alongside nature, as well as other marine industries.
Strategic environmental mitigation and compensation
Where impacts to the environment are unavoidable, despite a more effective spatial plan, we need a more holistic, strategic approach to how we mitigate and compensate for these impacts. These measures should be decided at a more strategic planning level, with a range of environmental, industry and government bodies working together, rather than leaving it to individual developers. This will encourage good conservation action at a scale to match the renewables proposed, and demonstrate how working with nature in mind can enable offshore wind to be deployed faster.
Complete and enforce the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) network
Many of our existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essentially just ‘paper parks’ – meaning that they exist on paper but provide little actual protection for seabirds and other wildlife. Addressing this will help keep seabirds and other marine wildlife safe. It will also help to identify the least sensitive areas for development earlier on in the planning process.
These changes will help prevent offshore wind developments from being proposed in areas where they could negatively impact seabirds and the environment, while encouraging nature-positive approaches to marine development.