Wind Farm Expansion Could Have Dangerous Impact on Dolphins and Seals

The Offshore Valuation Study recently found that the development of wind farms has the potential to attract £60 billion of investment north of the border and to create 20,000 jobs by the end of the decade. This is great news for an economy that has been struggling ever since the economic downturn.

Alex Salmond, who is the First Minister, is ruling out any new nuclear power stations. The report went on to say that the wind and tidal farms could eventually generate seven times of Scotland’s electricity needs.

Although this sounds all well and good, the planned development would cost an estimated £180 billion. Not only that, but it could have a major impact on animals, including dolphins, seals, porpoise, wildfowl, and other seabirds. It could also have major implications for the future of Scotland’s beleaguered fishing industry.

The draft plan for offshore wind energy highlights concerns about the farm blocking major shipping lands. Some other things that could be blocked include ferry routes and other waterways used for leisure activities.

Almost ten new projects are planned for the next decade, with a further 30 to be started between 2020 and 2030. The £14 billion sum makes experts assume that there will be widespread expansion until 2050. The Scottish Energy Minister, Jim Mather, said that they must seize these opportunities and continue to work to make the transition to a low carbon economy a reality.

Seven out of the ten sites where wind farms and tidal farms would be built lay completely or at least partially in spawning areas for commercially fished species, such as plaice and mackerel. There are also nursery areas for other fish like cod, whiting, and herring.