Offshore wind power: biodiversity and environment

Answer C. Let's take the example of the Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm: the environmental impact study was carried out for 2 years before the installation of the park. This study brought together the expertise of 13 environmental design offices. Studies continue and will continue throughout the life of the park.

B. False! Offshore wind turbines have no impact on wind speed!

Actually ! The rocks that protect the cables and foundations of wind turbines will eventually become new habitats where fish and crustaceans can hide. This phenomenon, observed in wind farms in Northern Europe and recently in the offshore wind farm of Saint-Nazaire, is called the reef effect!

A. During the work, a network of buoys and sonars makes it possible to detect the presence of marine mammals. If a marine mammal is too close to the site, a so-called “scaring” sound signal may be triggered so that it moves away while the noisiest operations are carried out. Once the operations are completed, the dolphins and porpoises will be able to return without danger!

Actually ! Although wind turbines keep the same color, the naked eye perceives them differently depending on the weather: they appear white when it is sunny and gray when the sky is cloudy. For safety reasons, the color white is imposed by civil aviation.

B. Reduction of lighting on construction vessels, particularly for migratory birds