Preliminary studies have been carried out in the area of the offshore wind farm, including studies of birds and ice, measurements of wind, analysis of connection options, the results of which confirm that there are good conditions for the production of wind energy in that area.
When planning a wind farm, a research program corresponding to the specific area is put together, covering the seabed, other natural environment as well as socio-economic impacts. In 2020, the parties were able to make proposals to the Environmental Impact Assessment program for the Gulf of Riga offshore wind farm, and in April 2021, the Ministry of the Environment approved the prepared program.
Currently, the development of the wind farm is in the environmental impact assessment phase where the environmental research company Skepast&Puhkim OÜ is assessing the possible significant environmental and cumulative impacts associated with the construction and operation of the offshore farm.
Environmental impacts, such as possible processes on the seabed, including biota, waves, ice-related risks and sediments are analyzed. As well as impacts on fish, birds, bats and mammals. Separate studies are planned for noise, vibration, low frequency sounds and turbulence. The socio-economic impact and safety of the wind farm are also assessed as a whole.
The environmental impact assessment will take more than two years, and its final report will show which wind turbines can be built in this marine area; whether and what the potential dangers are and how to mitigate them.
| Research topic | Goal |
|---|---|
| Seabed sediments | Characterization of the composition of seabed sediments in the wind farm area, identification of possible pollution |
| Marine processes | Assessing the impact of the wind farm and submarine cables on waves, suspended solids and sedimentation, on ice risks and navigation, on the potential spreading of the oil slick; comparing alternatives |
| Seabed biota and habitats | Quantitative characterization of the species composition and distribution of the seabed biota and habitats and the seabed communities of the wind farm area, and assessment of the impact of the establishment of the wind farm on the seabed habitats and biota |
| Fish | Characterization of fish fauna in the wind farm area; identifying the importance of the area for fish; assessment of the potential impact of the wind farm on fish fauna |
| Birds | Characterization of wild birds in the wind farm area; assessment of the impact of the wind farm on birds |
| Chiroptera | Description of the risks from wind farms, characterization of possible migration in the area and assessment of the impact of the wind farm on bats |
| Seals | Characterization of the behavioural characteristics of seals, their occurrence in the wind farm area and assessment of impact on seals |
| Noise, including underwater | Characterization of the extent of noise generated during the operation of wind turbines |
| Low frequency sound, infrasound | Assessment of the effect of low frequency and infrasound during the operation of the wind farm at points close to the wind farm in Häädemeeste and Kihnu |
| Vibration | Assessment of the level of vibration generated by the wind farm, including the extent of the propagation of waves caused by the oscillation of wind turbines in the soil, the extent of the effect of vibration and the effect of vibration on the limestone layer in the soil and groundwater |
| Visualization | Characterization of the visual appearance of the wind farm area from Häädemeeste and Kihnu |
| Turbulence | Assessment of the impact of turbulence from the operation of the wind farm on the coasts of Häädemeeste and Kihnu |
| Socio-economic impacts | Assessment of the socio-economic impacts of the wind farm |
| Safety and historical values | Safety and historical values |
The visual impact of the wind farm has been one of the first and biggest questions for local people. As beauty is often in the eyes of the viewer, it is very important that the visual or illustrative images of the wind farm be created objectively and always following the same methodology. For this reason, Estonia has state-approved rules on how to compile visuals for wind turbines and what must be taken into account.
The first designs for the visual assessment of the Gulf of Riga wind farm have been completed; we have introduced them to the people of Häädemeeste and Kihnu. They show wind turbines with a capacity of 15 megawatts, a peak height of 260 m and a total of 67 of them in the farm.
Basic rules for creating a visual:
The visuals of the Gulf of Riga offshore wind farm have been compiled from the ports of Treiman and Jaagupi and the southern tip of Kihnu. This means that the visual design is based on the geographical features of these locations and photographs have been taken for use in the visualization software.
The height of the viewpoint is also important for the visual to be realistic to the eyes of viewers. According to the instruction materials, the height of the eye point on the visual must be 1.6 m above the ground and a view closest to the human eye opens through a 50 mm lens.
The visualization software uses all of this data as a whole, and in the end, a photomontage and 3D visualization is created that anyone can evaluate.
The current visual is the first image of the farm, based on the current maritime spatial plan of Pärnu County. The final number, height and location of the wind turbines will be determined during the environmental impact assessment. Visual impact assessment is part of the wider wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment Program, and impact assessment is just beginning. In compiling the next visuals, we take into account the places that the local community wants to see the view of the farm from, and we will also model the visual impact of the farm with taller but a smaller number of wind turbines.
Not only the height of the wind turbines is important for the visual impact of the offshore wind farm, but their locations as well. Therefore, the visual impact guidelines focus not only on height, but also on the composition and geographical location of the wind farm. If, for example, submarine surveys show that the positions of the wind turbines need to be moved, the visual impact of the farm may change.
In the course of the environmental impact assessment, we analyze various scenarios for wind turbines with a height of 200 m to 300 m. Exactly what the final peak height of a wind turbine will be is currently uncertain, as manufacturers are currently developing 20-megawatt wind turbines with a peak height approaching 300 meters which could be suitable for the offshore farm. If the wind turbines were taller, there would be a smaller number of them. The initial visualizations are based on a specific geographical location, the correct distances and heights, and they show 15-megawatt wind turbines with a peak height of 260 metres – such offshore wind turbines are currently manufactured.
The most accurate and truthful visuals can be made based on the data that currently exists. In other words, with one hundred percent accuracy and degree of reality, we can visualize 15-megawatt wind turbines that are currently made. Exactly what the height of a more powerful wind turbine will be is not known at the moment, therefore it has not been used in the visuals. During the environmental impact assessment process, we will create visuals of taller wind turbines.
The environmental impact assessment of the offshore wind farm in the Gulf of Riga takes two to three years. It can be assumed that during this time, wind turbine manufacturers will publish the parameters of their updated models, after which it will be possible to create visuals about them.