AS the debate around the development of offshore wind farms off the Hunter coast continues to circulate, locals are attempting to ascertain if the clean energy generation benefits outweigh the potential environmental costs.

With floating offshore wind a fledgling industry in Australia, studies into the environmental impacts have not yet been completed locally.

Internationally however, where the offshore wind industry is up and operating, the results of impact studies are mixed.

In 2022, a study titled ‘Unravelling the ecological impacts of large-scale offshore wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea’, published in Science of The Total Environment, found that offshore wind farms (OWF) pose serious environmental risks to the Mediterranean Sea.

The study also found that OWF models cannot be simply imported from the northern European seas to other seas and that OWF developments should be excluded from areas of high biodiversity and/or high valuable seascape.

The research also suggested that OWF development should be forbidden in or in the vicinity of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

“The need for alternative energy systems like offshore wind power to move towards the Green Deal objectives is undeniable,” the study reads, authored by Josep Lloret, Antonio Turiel, Jordi Solé, Elisa Berdalet, Ana Sabatés, Alberto Olivares, Josep-Maria Gili, Josep Vila-Subirós and Rafael Sardá.

“However, it is also increasingly clear that biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected issues that must be tackled in unison.

“In this paper we highlight that offshore wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea pose serious environmental risks to the seabed and the biodiversity of many areas due to the particular ecological and socioeconomic characteristics and vulnerability of this semi-enclosed sea.

“The MS hosts a high diversity of species and habitats, many of which are threatened.

“Furthermore, valuable species, habitats, and seascapes for citizens’ health and well-being coexist with compounding effects of other economic activities (cruises, maritime transport, tourism activities, fisheries and aquaculture) in a busy space on a narrower continental shelf than in other European seas.

“The risks of implementing these wind farms in the MS have not yet been well evaluated and, considering the Precautionary Principle incorporated into the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, they should not be ignored.

“The trade-off between the benefits (climate goals) and risks (environmental and socioeconomic impacts) of OWF could be unbalanced in favour of the risks.”

However, it should be made clear that the Mediterranean is a vastly different marine environment to the offshore wind zone in the Pacific Ocean off Port Stephens.

Another 2022 study, ‘Reviewing the ecological impacts of offshore wind farms’, published in npj Ocean Sustainability, assessed 1353 studies on the topic.

The study found that offshore energy production can have both positive and negative impacts on marine ecosystems.

Negative impacts are reported in up to ten percent of the scientific findings, being especially linked to birds, marine mammals, and ecosystem structure.

The study also found that the ecological risks derived from the negative impacts of wind energy devices can vary biogeographically, depending on the environmental characteristics and vulnerability of the affected area.

“The identification of potential significant impacts is, therefore, always case-specific,” wrote the study’s authors, Ibon Galparsoro, Iratxe Menchaca, Joxe Mikel Garmendia, Ángel Borja, Ana D. Maldonado, Gregorio Iglesias and Juan Bald.

“In particular, the real impact of an offshore wind farm on protected species and habitats will show high spatial variability; it must be carefully assessed with respect to local conservation objectives and the affected species/habitats.

“Furthermore, environmental impacts will also depend on the initial state and resilience of the area, which can change dramatically for some ecosystem elements.”

The period for developers to submit feasibility licence applications for proposed offshore wind projects in the Hunter area opened on 8 August 2023 and will close on 14 November 2023.

During the feasibility stage, licence holders must undertake detailed environmental assessments and further stakeholder consultation to advance their specific project proposals.

Construction cannot begin until the feasibility stage is complete, and environmental and other approvals are in place.

In a statement released last week, Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington reassured the community that she heard and understood local concerns over the potential offshore wind development.

She also said the Federal Government was hearing the Port Stephens voices on the issue.

“When it was first proposed, the zone was much closer to the coast.

“Following a consultation process conducted by the Federal Government, and significant feedback particularly from our community, the approved zone was moved further offshore.

“The revised zone now begins 20km off our coast.”

Ms Washington also reminded the community that no wind farm has been approved in the zone, nor have any applications been made.

“I am advised by the Federal Government that companies may now express interest to undertake feasibility studies to determine whether they lodge an application.

“I have sought a briefing from the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to share community feedback and understand ‘next steps’.”

It is anticipated that the briefing will take place within the next fortnight.

“Given there is a lot at stake, facts are incredibly important,” Ms Washington said.

“So following the briefing, when I have more facts, I will share them with the community,” she said.

“I’d like you to know that I have received a range of views on the proposal, but it doesn’t mean we are a divided community.

“Regardless of your views, I know everyone is seeking the same outcome – what’s best for beautiful Port Stephens and our environment, now and into the future.

“On that, we are united – I will keep you updated as I learn more,” she pledged.

A community meeting to discuss offshore wind development is being held on 17 September at Nelson Bay Community Hall.

By Marian SAMPSON