Underwater Noise From Wind Farms

Subacoustech are currently conducting research into the environmental effects of underwater noise from offshore windfarm development on behalf of COWRIE (Collaborative Offshore Wind Research into the Environment). Offshore wind energy has an important role in providing a source of renewable and clean energy, and the COWRIE project is ensuring that environmental concerns over noise are addressed at an early stage. The understanding of the effects of noise on marine mammals and fish is in its infancy, and this research will help to provide a much better understanding of the significance of a range of windfarm related noise sources.

The project aims to help assess the environmental effect of noise created during construction, operation and decommissioning of windfarms against natural background noise and other man-made sources, and will culminate in providing "best practice" guidelines to the offshore windfarm industry.

A report on measurements of windfarm construction and operational turbine noise is currently being reviewed, and will shortly be available on this website. Sound files of windfarm related underwater noise can be downloaded by clicking on the links below.

Background underwater noise:

• Background noise at North Hoyle
• Passing freighter (approximately 800 m)

Windfarm construction underwater noise:

• Impact pile driving, 750 metres from source
• Impact pile driving, 6.5 km from source
• Monopile socket drilling, 750 metres from source
• Monopile socket drilling, 2.5 km from source
• Cable trenching at North Hoyle, 400 metres from source

Operational turbine underwater noise:

• Halfway between the Blyth turbines

Please note that all files available for download on this page are Cowrie property and may not be reproduced without their prior permission.