The Crown Estate and Cefas have teamed up to release a study on subsea cable impacts
This research is a game-changer for offshore wind developers, as it provides crucial insights into the effects of power cables on marine life.
The report, titled 'Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) from subsea power cables in the natural marine environment,' will help us better understand the potential impacts of EMFs on marine species. By expanding our knowledge, it will speed up decision-making and planning for offshore wind developments.
This study is the result of a collaborative two-day workshop involving 15 top scientific experts in EMFs, supported by the Scottish government. Their findings will directly contribute to the 'Floating Offshore Wind Environmental Response to Stressors (FLOWERS)' project, funded by the Offshore Wind Evidence and Change (OWEC) program.
The Crown Estate has invested a remarkable £50m into the OWEC program, alongside a coalition of government organizations, industry bodies, and environmental NGOs. Together, they aim to create a robust data and evidence base that shapes the future of offshore wind and the marine environment.
Olivia Thomas, the head of marine planning at The Crown Estate, emphasized the importance of reliable data in the consenting process. The pioneering research, made possible by a £1.4m investment, promotes co-existence between fishing and offshore wind, supports the UK's net-zero targets, and encourages a thriving marine environment. This study takes us closer to building a sustainable offshore wind industry in the UK, driven by the best data and evidence available.