Environmental considerations related to floating offshore wind farms: a case study from waters around New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Context: Australia will likely host new commercial offshore wind farm (OWF) developments, including possible floating turbines off the coast of New South Wales (NSW). However, early planning has already resulted in strong community opposition, largely because of perceived negative environmental impacts. Aims: This review provides a summary of research to inform the potential environmental impacts of floating OWFs in the waters around Australia, using NSW as a case study. Methods: We review information on regional environmental baselines for key receptors and characterise how environmental impact pathways identified by the Australian Government may apply to floating OWFs. Key results: Environmental impacts depend on many factors, including OWF characteristics and species and ecosystem traits. Some developments will need floating platforms, which have potentially different environmental impacts from those of bottom-fixed foundations predominately used overseas and planned elsewhere in Australia, particularly related to seabed disturbance, entanglement, underwater noise and barrier effects. Conclusions: The greatest challenge to impact assessment in Australia is the scarcity of local environmental information, particularly regarding species distributions and ecosystem functions in deeper marine environments where floating OWF development may occur. Implications: This review provides a first step for various sectors to understand the potential environmental impacts of floating OWF in Australia.