A total of 14 offshore projects are currently operational worldwide in 5 countries. Click here to see a list of offshore wind projects around the world.

Regardless of how they are procured, all wind farms in Ontario are required to undergo a series of local, provincial and federal approvals before they can reach commercial operation. The type of approvals required depends on the size, nature and location of the project. However, wind farms will always be required to enter into local zoning processes and are typically subject to environmental assessments.

To address the challenges of security of energy supply and climate change caused by emissions of carbon dioxide from traditional power stations. Locally produced renewable energy, like wind farms, is part of the solution to decrease reliance on overseas oil, gas, coal and uranium. The Royal Commission on the Environment concluded that the UK needs to move towards reducing harmful Carbon Dioxide emissions to 60% of 1997 levels by 2050.(http://www.rcep.org.uk/energy.htm).

There are several factors which suggest the development of an offshore wind energy industry. The resource is extremely large, the energy costs, although initially higher than for onshore, are cheaper than other renewable technologies and the risks are low, as early projects have shown. Many people, while agreeing that wind turbines are a useful strategy, are not happy to see them in their area. This is the NIMBY principle - not in my back yard.

Wind farms need to be built in locations where they can make best use of strong, unimpeded wind flows, such as hilltops and ridgelines. The visual effect for local residents is a significant consideration when potential sites for wind farms are investigated. Meridian Energy applies a clean site philosophy to its wind projects that minimises the visual impact of the project, in particular the roading and substation placement.

All tall structures pose a risk to birds. Greenpeace opposes building wind farms on sensitive bird habitat, however, properly sited modern wind turbines in Australia carry a very low risk to birds. They typically cause one to two bird deaths per turbine each year. Compared to power lines, cars, and domestic cats, wind farms' risk to birds is low. Bird deaths at Australian windfarms are also lower than in the northern hemisphere.

Wind farms only work when it is windy, which is why wind turbines are located to take advantage of strong and consistent winds. In Australia, wind farms are generally in use more than in 95 per cent of the time. This compares favourably with conventional power plants. In some parts of Germany, wind energy can contribute up to 70 per cent of a region's electricity needs. The wind does not stop blowing everywhere in Australia all at once.

of November 2003, all salmon farm sites must have a Fish Health Management Plan. These plans are a condition of licence and are enforceable. All companies must provide the BC MAL with a plan for approval. Results of the sea lice monitoring program are reported on a quarterly basis to BC MAL and are posted on their website: Pink salmon populations have varied greatly from year to year over the last fifty years [see chart].

Our list of all the operational wind farms in the UK also provides total industry statistics, including the number of wind farms and turbines, total capacity installed, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

No, not when wind farms are sited properly. Some of the early wind farms, specifically Altamont Pass in Northern California, have resulted in the death of raptors, such as hawks and eagles. In these areas, these birds of prey occasionally perch atop the wind turbines for a better view while hunting, and get caught in the spinning blades when the wind begins to blow.

The environmental impact of offshore wind farms is considerably reduced compared with those onshore; both noise and visual impact are unlikely to be issues, but there are still some considerations. For example, there could be an environmental impact from carrying out work offshore, such as localised disturbance of the seabed.

This is unlikely. Sea lice were not originally a salmon-farming phenomenon. Sea lice have existed on wild salmon for tens of thousands of years before the first salmon farm was established in Canada and wild salmon have adapted to them. There are two possible sources of sea lice in the Broughton Archipelago; from natural sources, like other fish, or from salmon farms. From last year's studies we do know that the contribution from other fish (sticklebacks) was significant.

We will need a mix of both onshore and offshore wind energy to meet the UK's challenging targets on climate change. At present, onshore wind is more economical than development offshore. Furthermore, offshore wind farms take longer to develop, as the sea is inherently a more hostile environment. To expect offshore to be the only form of wind generation allowed would therefore be to condemn us to miss our renewable energy targets and commitment to tackle climate change.

Two recent surveys independently conducted by Knight Frank (on behalf of the British Wind Energy Association) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), into the effect of wind farms on house prices summarise that their results are inconclusive. Those respondents that did report a negative impact to the RICS noted that it was predominantly during the planning stage of a wind farm development and probably a result of uncertainty about the proposal.

There are currently four operational offshore wind farms in UK waters. It is still a lot more expensive to have offshore wind farms, and still requires further support by the government, although the price of offshore wind energy is coming down. Further offshore projects are currently proposed for UK waters, however their development and construction will take a lot longer to deliver as experience is gained from the current offshore wind farms in the UK and Europe.

Either click on Engage in Consultation and ask us the question, or go to the links and downloads page to see other sources of information.

the above answer indicates, ice throw does not present a danger except for the area close to turbines (that is, within a few hundred meters). ski areas, however, turbines would typically have to be sited very close to operating lifts and trailheads, making ice throw a safety concern. No. There is nothing different or unusual about managing the electricity flow from an operating wind plant.

Yes! Just one 75 MW installation would create an estimated 245 jobs. The offshore wind energy industry in the UK represents a total potential market of £48 billion, and the creation of an entirely new industry will have significant effects beyond the employment figures.

Where a company wishing to develop a wind farm does not own the property on which the farm is to be developed, it must obtain the land owner's agreement to the development. Companies must also seek resource consents from the relevant local authorities (the regional, district or city council), under the Resource Management Act 1991(RMA). Wind farm developers must prepare and submit an Assessment of Environmental Effect (AEE) reports with their resource consent applications.

Yes. For example, a 10-megawatt wind farm in Victoria would displace about 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, according to the Victoria's Sustainable Energy Authority. That is equivalent to taking 9200 cars off the road. At the same time this wind farm would supply enough energy for 5700 average households. The exact quantity of greenhouse emissions prevented by wind farms would vary from place to place, because it depends on the energy used in a given area.

The European Union, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Norway have already prohibited the use of mobile bottom-tending fishing gear in some areas containing deep sea coral ecosystems.

While all types of agriculture have some effect on habitat, aquaculture has the lightest effects of any form of large-scale food production. Salmon farms have minimal impacts on the surrounding marine habitat. These effects are limited largely to the ocean floor in the immediate vicinity of salmon farms, and they have been found to be small-scale, short-term, and fully reversible.

We're located on the San Diego Bay in Southern California. Wind speeds typically range from 10-15 knots March through October. During the summer months we can get coastal fog in the mornings, which typically burns off by 10-11am. The winds pick up in the late morning/early afternoon. During the winter months (November - February), winds are generally lighter, except during seasonal storms. Because we are located directly on the Pacific, you can get a taste of ocean sailing.

While wind turbines are remarkably efficient at converting the energy of the wind, according to a recent report from the Royal Committee on Environmental Pollution, there will still be enough left over for some cooling sea breezes!

As a matter of fact, even Australia allows Sea-Monkeys? and they are "among the strictest countries in the world" when it comes to importing animals. You may wish to check your local mental health laws for further information.

This is unlikely. Sea lice were not originally a salmon-farming phenomenon. Sea lice existed on wild salmon for tens of thousands of years before the first salmon farm was established in Canada and wild salmon have adapted to them. There are two possible sources of sea lice in the Broughton Archipelago: natural sources such as other fish, or salmon farms. Last year's studies indicate that the contribution from other fish (sticklebacks) was significant.

Fish farms have been present on our coast for over 20 years. Reduction in pink salmon returning to some rivers in the Broughton area is a relatively new phenomenon, and has come on the the heels of record high pink returns recorded in 2000 and 2001. In July 2001, in response to concerns about sea lice on salmon farms, federal and provincial government staff sampled sea lice levels on wild salmon both in areas close to farms and in areas with no farms nearby.

Wind will not damage your screen. The hook seal may loosen on the edges as the screen billows in high wind conditions.

quot;Yes" to these could indicate infection. Bacteria or another irritant has caused an infection or a response from you body that resembles an infection. See your doctor if your piercers instructions don't help within 3-5 days. quot;Yes" to these could indicate an abscess. An infection is trapped and could burst. Don't squeeze it and don't remove the jewelry until your doctor tells you to.