RSPB calls for deep water wind

The RSPB has called on the UK government to support the development of deep water renewable technologies such as floating offshore wind farms.

The charity has asked London to invest in understanding the impacts of floating wind technology and overcoming any barriers to sustainable deployment, encouraging commercial-scale sites by the mid-2020s.

RSPB said there are major opportunities to develop renewable energy projects in deeper waters around the UK, including traditional fixed foundation offshore wind.

This could enable substantial growth in areas where development is likely to have lower risks for marine wildlife, in particular due to lower densities of protected seabirds.

The charity is also calling for a renewed commitment to renewables on the day a government consultation closes on whether support for clean energy projects should continue beyond 2020.

The consultation asks whether subsidy regulations for renewable energy should be changed to allow the government to support projects due to start between 2020 and 2026.

Although the government has recently cut support for onshore wind and solar, it has indicated it will provide further support for offshore wind and potentially other ‘less established’ technologies.

RSPB said it strongly resists renewable projects that are expected to have unacceptable wildlife impacts but supports the large-scale expansion of carefully-planned facilities across the UK, not objecting to over 90% of sites.

“The RSPB is clear that continued Government support for carefully-planned renewable energy into the 2020s is critical to the UK’s long-term energy strategy,” senior policy officer Melanie Coath said.

“There is also an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of innovative technologies like floating wind turbines, if we seize the opportunity now, and make sure we invest in understanding the impacts of those technologies so they can be rolled out in harmony with nature.”

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