Swedish energy company Vattenfall has invited applications for funding under a EUR 3 million scientific research programme at the company’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) in Aberdeen Bay, Scotland, to understand the impacts of offshore wind on the environment.
A scientific panel has been assembled to advise on the allocation of the funding to study the environment around the 11-turbine scheme.
“In-depth scientific research and monitoring in a real-time environment is recognised as vital to maximising the learning opportunities for the offshore wind sector,” Adam Ezzamel, project director for the EOWDC at Vattenfall, said.
”We’re pleased that the research will take place at the EOWDC as it underlines the importance of the scheme as a global hub of innovation. We are working collaboratively with a number of key environmental agencies to allocate the research budget, and look forward to working closely with the successful parties to facilitate exceptional science.”
Panel members, who will decide which applications merit funding, include Vattenfall, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, Marine Scotland Science, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, RSPB Scotland, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and The Crown Estate.
Aly McCluskie, senior conservation scientist at RSPB Scotland, said: “Offshore wind has huge potential to help reduce our carbon emissions but we need to improve our understanding of its environmental effects to help ensure developments happen without harming wildlife. This research programme at EOWDC provides an excellent opportunity to contribute towards this and RSPB Scotland are very pleased to support its launch.”
The programme is partly funded through a EUR 40 million grant awarded by the EU to the EOWDC.