Offshore Wind: Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI)
Offshore
Offshore concerns centre around the potential EMI impact on communications systems and on ships’ radars. The Department for Transport and the wind industry carried out sea trials involving ships and the North Hoyle offshore wind farm. The results of the trials confirmed that there is minimal impact of offshore wind farms on communication systems (VHF radios and cellphones where there is coverage), Automatic Identification Systems of ships, reception of Global Positioning System data (the satellite navigation system) and magnetic compasses, but that there were some performance issues for ship-borne and shore-based radar. The results from the trial will help inform siting and configuration of future installations and possible mitigation measures.
There are also concerns about possible physical interference from electromagnetic fields generated by sub-sea power cables on electrically sensitive and magnetically sensitive marine organisms. COWRIE (Collaborative Offshore Wind Research into the Environment), led by The Crown Estate, is sponsoring research in this field. Visit the Crown Estate for more information.
EMI consultees
A large number of organisations are consulted to help assess the potential for EMI as a result of wind energy proposals including:
- Defence Estates Organisation
- Civil Aviation Authority
- Ofcom
- National Air Traffic Services
- Channel 5
- Independent Television Commission
- Cable & Wireless
- ntl
- Crown Castle
- BT Radio Solutions
- Vodafone
- one2one
- BBC
- Scottish Executive Emergency Communications
- Radio Safety Maritime and Coastguard Agency
- Northern Lighthouse Board.