What is it?
WIND-ERA is a tool for assessing ecological risks associated with offshore wind farms. It enables the visualization and analysis of the impacts of wind turbines on marine ecosystem components, based on scientific evidence.
How does it work?
WIND-ERA is designed for use by project developers, consultants, and marine spatial planning authorities. Its main objectives are to:
- Assess specific risks: Analyse the environmental risks associated with offshore wind turbines throughout their different development phases (installation, operation, and decommissioning).
- Predict impacts on sensitive ecological elements, such as collision risk for birds and bats, and the effects of underwater noise on marine mammals and fish.
- Support zoning: Provide the environmental risk information required for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), ensuring that areas identified for offshore wind development are compatible with conservation objectives.
Key benefits
1. Proactive environmental risk prevention and management
- Early identification: Enables the identification and prioritisation of the most critical ecological risks at early project stages (planning and design), before major construction costs are incurred.
- Sustainable design: Facilitates the integration of mitigation measures from the design phase (e.g., foundation type selection, cable routing, noise management), ensuring projects are inherently more environmentally friendly.
2. Faster and simpler permitting processes
- Streamlined permitting: By providing a transparent, science-based risk assessment, environmental uncertainty is reduced, which can accelerate the granting of environmental permits and licences.
- Regulatory acceptance: Offers a robust basis for demonstrating compliance with national and international environmental legislation, strengthening regulatory approval.
3. Investment optimisation and cost reduction
- Reduced delays: Anticipating and mitigating environmental risks helps avoid costly delays or forced design changes during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) phase or construction.
- Site selection: Supports developers in choosing the most ecologically suitable locations, minimising the risk of legal disputes or the need for costly post-project environmental compensation.
4. Stronger governance and transparency
