Offshore wind energy systems could be a boon for marine life

Offshore turbines are able to function as artificial reefs, supporting marine life

Offshore wind turbines could have a major environmental benefit that has only recently been discovered. Not only do offshore wind farms act as clean energy producers, they also serve as artificial reefs. There are many concerns regarding the impact that offshore turbines could be having of marine life, but some of these concerns may be unfounded. For seals, offshore wind farms may soon become a place where they can reliably find a meal.

Hard structures attract mussels and other life to wind farms

Turbines are hard structures, which are very attractive for mussels. They also attract a variety of other sea life, creating a somewhat diverse ecosystem. As life in the artificial reef begins to flourish, large predators, such as seals, begin to flock to the area and take advantage of the food they can find there. Rather than disrupting marine life, offshore wind energy systems may actually be helping it thrive in a variety of ways.

There are concerns about whether wind turbines are beneficial to marine life or not

There are still concerns regarding the fragility of an ecosystem based on an artificial reef, of course. One concern is that it will attract a large number of animals to a relatively small location. There are also concerns about how wind turbines affect the hearing of predators like seals. The environmental benefits and drawbacks of offshore wind turbines are still being explored and it is difficult to say for certain whether or not these energy systems will have an overall positive impact on the environment.

Wind turbines may be doing more good for the environment than harm

A recent study from the University of St. Andrews discovered that seals have developed a fondness for wind turbines, opting to stay close to these energy systems. This is largely due to the fact that food can be found near these turbines more easily. Stockholm University’s Department of Zoology suggests that wind turbines will have a positive impact on marine life overall, so long as they are carefully designed.