Offshore wind farms basically have few or very little negative impacts on the environment, according to various European impact assessment reports on wind farms in other countries.
The reports state that wind power is a renewable source of energy, produces no emissions and is an excellent alternative in environmental terms to conventional electricity production based on fuels such as oil, coal or natural gas.
However, it was stated that these do have an impact on their surroundings both visually and in terms of sound, especially with the development of increasingly larger wind turbines
Danish studies of wind turbines on land revealed they did not constitute a serious threat to fowl or other animals. The same studies showed that offshore wind farms actually lead to an increase in fish stocks.
A particular species of bird were not frightened away when the offshore wind farm was set up. The report revealed that the availability of food plays a much greater role in the existence of eider than does the presence of wind turbines.
According to the results, large marine mammals, such as seals and porpoises, did leave the areas when noisy and disturbing installation works were going on but they returned later.
Migratory birds altered their routes so as not to fly into the offshore wind farms, reducing the risk that the birds could collide with the farms.
Another preliminary report stated that wind turbine foundations could have a positive effect on fish life because the man-made constructions create new places where fish can conceal themselves and lead to an increase in their food base.
In Denmark, there was widespread concern that a wind farm would create a visual disturbance and damage the local tourist industry. However, this has not proved to be the case so far. The visual disturbance is greatest at night when the safety lighting is on and is clearly visible from land, especially under good visibility conditions.
The most important possible adverse effect of offshore wind farms relates to the underwater noise generated during the construction and operation of wind turbines.
By 2010, at least 22 per cent of European electricity will be required to come from renewable sources.
Last May, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said the government planned to set up offshore wind farms to reduce Malta’s dependency on oil to generate electricity
During a EU summit held recently in Vienna, Dr Gonzi said he would issue an international call for tenders for the installation of offshore wind farms.
Recently, the Malta Resources Authority (MRA) called for an expression of interest on behalf of the government, for interested parties to undertake the first offshore wind project in Maltese territorial waters.
MRA officials pointed out that wind farm development on land was considered to be unsustainable, due to the country’s size and population density, together with the wind turbines’ negative visual impact.
The final capacity of the wind farm project is estimated to reach between 75 and 100 megawatts – around 10 per cent of the electricity generated in Malta.
The capital expenditure for the Malta project is estimated at €150 million for 20 units on an area of six square kilometres at depths varying from 50 to 100 metres.
The energy produced by the farm would then be sold to Enemalta at fixed tariffs and the investment cost would be recovered within eight or nine years.