We know many people are concerned about wind turbines. Do they actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Do they affect fishing and spoil the environment? Do they emit microplastics? Here, we address common questions.
Hywind Tampen in the Norwegian Sea.
Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland
Is offshore wind power sustainable?
10-12 GW
We plan to reach an installed net capacity of 10-12 GW by 2030.
Including Equinor’s ownership in Ørsted and Scatec
> 7,000,000
We’ll power more than 7 million British homes with wind by 2030
277 turbines
Dogger Bank wind farm will have 277 giant offshore turbines
Growth in renewable energy is at the core of our Energy Transition Plan, and we need to understand how we can achieve this ambition in the most nature-friendly way
Anders Opedal, President & CEO
Enlarged photo of Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm seen from Sheringham.
Photo: Colin Dobinson
What’s the truth about wind turbines? Your questions answered
A lot of people have strong opinions about wind power, challenging the offshore wind industry on concerns such as spoiled views, noise pollution, impact on fisheries, danger to wildlife, or lack of environmental benefits. But is the criticism based on facts? Here, we discuss some key issues.
“Wind farms are an eyesore, spoil views, and create noise.”
Because offshore turbines are typically installed far from shore, their visual and noise impacts are minimal for most coastal communities. Our experience from existing wind farms indicates that they are barely visible on the horizon. Many new wind farms are built so far offshore that they are impossible to see due to sea haze or the curvature of the earth. However, the further out to sea, the stronger and more reliable the wind conditions are for wind farms.
“It takes more energy to make wind turbines than they produce.”
There are many incorrect claims about emissions from the production of wind turbines and how much electricity they produce during the operational phase. The British fact-checkers FullFact have previously investigated a claim that more energy is required to produce wind turbines than they produce over their lifetime. They concluded that the claim was false.
In 2014, the UN climate panel carried out a comparison of common energy sources. In their study, land-based wind power had the lowest total emissions, that is, emissions of CO₂ equivalents per kWh of electricity produced. Offshore wind power also has very low emissions, just behind onshore wind and nuclear power.
“Wind farms scare away fish and marine life.”
While the construction phase of wind farms causes some temporary disturbance, many studies suggest that once established, offshore wind farms create artificial reefs and ecosystems, benefitting marine life and allowing fish, shellfish and other sea creatures to thrive and reproduce.
“Wind farms destroy the livelihoods of people in the fishing industry.”
We understand that concerns are often raised about the impact on fishing and shipping lanes. However, in our experience, close dialogue and clear regulations can mitigate these issues, allowing for coexistence with marine industries. Exclusion zones around wind farms are often reduced once the construction phase is finished, allowing certain types of fishing activity to return to the area, and boats to sail between the turbines.
Through a partnership with Marine Scotland Science, Equinor has undertaken trials at Hywind Scotland to find out whether it is possible to fish safely with certain types of static fishing gear inside the turbine area of a floating offshore wind farm. These trials show that under the right conditions, and with the right information, it is possible to safely deploy and recover fishing gear within a wind farm. These trials provide valuable insights for Equinor's floating offshore wind projects all over the world.
“Wind turbines only produce electricity 4 out of 12 months a year.”
This is a false claim, misinterpreting and oversimplifying the fact that the amount of electricity wind turbines generate varies depending on the wind conditions. Because of the variations in the strength of the wind, turbines cannot produce at 100% capacity factor all the time. Data from Norwegian wind farms show that turbines produce all year round, but that the capacity factor varies.
“Wind energy is unreliable and inefficient.”
There’s a misconception that wind energy is unreliable and inefficient. Offshore wind turbines can be more efficient than their onshore counterparts due to stronger and more consistent wind patterns at sea. Thanks to our decades of experience with offshore operations, we have detailed wind speed data dating back many years that confirm the strength of offshore winds.
“Wind turbines kill birds.”
There’s a widespread belief that wind turbines lead to high bird mortality rates. Studies indicate that, while there is some impact, it is significantly lower than other human-related causes of bird deaths. During migration, birds gain altitude, and many species fly at 2,000 to 5,000 feet or higher using prevailing winds to assist them. Seabirds living near the surface of the sea fly within 20 m height above sea level for most of their time during flight.
“Wind turbines have a limited lifespan.”
The belief that offshore wind turbines have a short lifespan and are not a sustainable long-term solution is not accurate. With proper maintenance, these turbines are designed to operate effectively for at least 25 years.
“Wind turbines cannot be recycled.”
When wind turbines come to the end of their service life, we must ensure that the turbines can be recycled as far as possible. Together with partners, we are working to achieve 100% recycling of wind turbine blades by developing a fully circular value chain. We are also working to increase our understanding of opportunities within the circular economy, looking at waste management in general and concrete opportunities for recycling, for example of wind turbine blades.
“Wind turbines produce tonnes of poisonous microplastics in the environment.”
There have been claims in social media that a wind turbine can emit up to 2 tonnes of microplastics in their lifetime. Raindrops and dust particles in the atmosphere can slightly erode the coating layer on the turbine tips and leading edges, but thorough investigation carried out in Norway shows that microplastic emissions rarely exceed 200 grams (0.2 kg) per year per turbine. The claims have been fact-checked and found to be false. For more information, see below.
How can we develop offshore wind, but at the same time minimise impact on nature?
For Equinor, with a growing offshore wind portfolio, managing our business and impact on the marine environment is a priority.
To fully understand the impacts of our wind farms we cooperate with reputable independent scientific organisations to carry out research projects, and we also have a wealth of key learnings and data available from our operations.
We have conducted pilot studies on fish, researched how sound affects wildlife and how wind farms can function as artificial reefs, among other topics.
Throughout our projects we emphasise close cooperation with local communities and authorities, as well as fisheries, defence, tourism and everyone affected by our developments. We have successfully resolved many concerns and challenges.
Developing offshore wind is important for securing renewable energy and creating jobs and green industries. But offshore wind must be developed in line with global commitments to safeguard nature and coexistence.
Fishing boats on the shore in Sheringham.
Photo: Colin Dobinson
Wind farms and coexistence with fishing
Fishing and offshore wind are two industries that require large areas offshore, which can potentially lead to challenges. However, we have seen that openness, cooperation and early dialogue can facilitate coexistence between our industries.
We see that the best results are achieved when all parties such as wind farm developers, authorities, the fishing industry and other commercial players cooperate closely and respect each other. Sharing knowledge and dialogue are key factors, and to pave the way for successful coexistence, we have always emphasised the importance of involving fishers and the local community as early as possible in our projects.
Furthermore, through a partnership with Marine Scotland Science, Equinor has undertaken trials at Hywind Scotland to determine how it is possible to fish safely with certain types of static fishing gear inside the turbine area of a floating offshore wind farm.
These trials provide valuable insights for Equinor's floating offshore wind projects all over the world.
See more about the fishing trials
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Hywind Tampen turbines under construction. Photo: Jan Arne Wold
Wind turbines and microplastics
There have been claims in social media that wind turbines spread quantities of microplastics into nature due to wear on their blades, and that the emissions contain poisonous Bisphenol A.
On behalf of Equinor, SINTEF Ocean has studied the extent to which offshore wind contributes to microplastic emissions, based on data from Hywind Scotland. Sediment samples were collected and extensive analyses of microplastics were carried out from the area and around the offshore wind farm.
The study looked at whether the microplastics inside and outside the wind farm originate from the coating and composite material in the turbine blades.
The analyses show that there were no microplastics from the wind farm in the sediments. Nor were any traces of other material used on the turbines on Hywind Scotland found. However, microplastics originating from other sources were found. The polymers found are some of the most common in marine environments, originating from human activity, such as packaging material.
The method developed in the study was considered robust and fit for purpose. The study of microplastics from sediments is based on established methods, and SINTEF has done a thorough job in developing the method for suitable wind farm areas. This gives us tools for further monitoring of microplastics both around Hywind Scotland and other offshore wind farms.
Further reading:
Hywind Tampen.
Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland
Why is wind power needed?
Scientists and climatologists around the world agree that CO2 emissions from fossil fuels must be reduced and that a rapid transition to renewable energy sources is needed.
Harnessing power from the wind is one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways to generate electricity. Wind is abundant and inexhaustible, the most established and efficient renewable energy source in the world today, and a key enabler in the world’s energy transition.
What’s more, wind power enhances energy security by diversifying energy sources. Countries can reduce their dependence on imported fuels and increase their resilience against geopolitical uncertainties and market fluctuations by harnessing their own wind energy.
Wind power is therefore not only needed from an environmental perspective, but is also strategically beneficial, ensuring a more stable and sustainable energy future.
What are our credentials in wind power?
Equinor has been an active pioneer in offshore wind power since 2009, when we launched the Hywind floating wind turbine, based on our extensive experience from the offshore industry.
Since then we have developed many successful large-scale offshore wind projects: Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon, Hywind Scotland, Hywind Tampen, and Dogger Bank – and we’re working on new projects in many countries worldwide.