Vastavalt nimekirjale
01.02.2022 nr 6-3/22/427-2
Rootsi „Baltic Offshore Delta“ meretuulepargi
projekti piiriülene keskkonnamõju hindamine
Vastavalt piiriülese keskkonnamõju hindamise konventsioonile (Espoo konventsioonile) on
Rootsi teavitanud Eestit Läänemerre kavandatavast „Baltic Offshore Delta“ meretuulepargi
projektist. Arendaja Njordr Offshore Wind AB kavandab püstitada Rootsi majandusvööndis
ligikaudu 5000 MW koguvõimsusega meretuulepargi, milles oleks maksimaalselt 300 tuulikut
tipukõrgusega kuni 330 m. Kirjale on lisatud ingliskeelne projekti ja selle elluviimisega kaasnevat
keskkonnamõju kirjeldav nn konsultatsioonidokument.
Ootame 25. veebruariks 2022 põhjendatud arvamusi selle kohta, kas Eesti peaks osalema
kõnealuse projekti piiriülese keskkonnamõju hindamise menetluses. Juhul, kui peate vajalikuks
Eesti osalemist menetluses, on oodatud ka arvamused selle kohta, milline oluline kahjulik
piiriülene keskkonnamõju võiks Eestile kaasneda, et arendaja saaks sellega arvestada
keskkonnamõju hindamise materjalide koostamisel.
Lugupidamisega
(allkirjastatud digitaalselt)
Kaupo Heinma
Asekantsler
Lisa: konsultatsioonidokument
Rainer Persidski, 626 2973
[email protected]
Paldiski mnt 96/ Tallinn 13522/ 626 2802/
[email protected]/ www.envir.ee/
Registrikood 70001231
Before applying for a
permit under Chapter 9
of the Swedish
Environmental Code
Before applying for a permit under the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone Act and the Continental Shelf Act.
Consultation document
BALTIC OFFSHORE DELTA WIND POWER FARM
and the associated internal cable network in Sweden's Exclusive Economic Zone,
Baltic Sea
PRODUCTION ECOGAIN 2021
2021 12 03
Operators
Njordr Offshore Wind AB
Lantvärnsgatan 8
652 21 Karlstad
www.njordroffshorewind.com
Corporate ID Number: 559308 – 6019
Niklas Sondell,
project manager
niklas.sondell@modernenergy
070 - 218 50 64
Consultant
Ecogain AB
Headquarters:
Västra Norrlandsgatan 10 D
903 27 Umeå
www.ecogain.se
Corporate ID Number: 556761-6668
Isabel Enström,
assignment manager
[email protected]
010-405 91 35
Project information
Baltic Offshore Delta
Project owner: Njordr Offshore Wind AB – a joint venture between Vindkraft
Värmland and Njordr
Report: Before applying for a permit under Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone Act
and Continental Shelf Act – Consultation Document – Baltic Offshore Delta wind
power farm and the associated internal cable network
Prepared by: Isabel Enström, Charlotte Nauclér, Anna Singh, Johanna Birgander and
Malin Blohm, Ecogain as well as Niklas Sondell, Rolf-Erik Keck and Niclas Erkenstål,
Njordr Offshore Wind.
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Reviewed by: Karolina Adolphson, Ecogain
Approved by: Niklas Sondell, project manager Njordr Offshore Wind
AB for background maps © National Land Survey, open data.
Other geographic information comes from: EMODnet, Swedish Energy Agency,
Swedish Armed Forces, Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management,
HELCOM, the County Administrative Board, Swedish Environmental Protection
Agency, Geological Survey of Sweden, Swedish National Board of Forestry, Swedish
Transport Administration, Vindlov.
Cover Image: Offshore wind park. Shutterstock.
Other photos, Ecogain.
Illustrations, Susan Enet iron, Ecogain
ABOUT THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT
According to the provisions of Sec. 6 of Environmental Assessment Regulation
(2017:966), the planned activities are assumed to have a significant impact on the
environment, which means that a so-called scope consultation will be performed.
This consultation document has been prepared as a basis for the Baltic Offshore
Delta scope consultation, a project developed by Njordr Offshore Wind AB.
A scope consultation follows the provisions of Chapter 6, Sec. 30 of the
Environmental Code, and consultations will be held with the County Administrative
Board, regulatory officials, and private individuals who are expected to be
particularly affected by the operation, as well as other governmental authorities,
municipalities, and the public that may be expected to be impacted by the project.
A consultation document is not to be confused with an environmental impact
assessment, which is prepared at a later stage of the permit application process. The
purpose of the consultation is to inform regulatory authorities, individuals, and the
public about the planned project and to provide a comprehensive report on the
environmental effects that the planned activities are expected to produce, while
future environmental impact assessments will further investigate these effects.
This consultation document outlines what future environmental impact assessments
will include and which environmental effects will be further investigated. A complete
environmental impact assessment is expected to be completed in 2023, and a permit
application under the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone Act and the Continental
Shelf Act is planned to be submitted in 2023.
Since the project is located in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and in an
area that may affect the interests of other nations, consultations will also be held on
the basis of the Espoo Convention, the Convention on Environmental Impact
Assessments in a cross-border context.
Actors identified as part of the consultation circuit are listed in Appendix 2.
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3
Contributors
Isabel Enström, assignment leader, Ecogain
Ecologist focused on environmental engineering. She has worked on
strategic planning, climate and environmental issues within municipalities
and on education for sustainable development. Many years of experience
in the energy sector, in particular with renewable energy and wind power
development.
Charlotte Nauclér, deputy assignment lead and investigator, Ecochain
Certified forest officer with a focus on nature and the environment, and who
has extensive experience with EIAs and environmental assessments,
especially with regard to the wind power permit process.
Anna Singh, investigator, Ecochain
Environmental scientist with a master’s degree in natural geography and
ecosystem analysis. Specialized in climate effects on different types of
ecosystems, environmental engineering, and in public management of
protected natural areas from both scientific and social perspectives.
Johanna Birgander, Investigator, Ecogain
A PhD in ecology with deep knowledge of climate related issues. She has
worked on strategic environmental work at the County Administrative
Board. Many years of experience with the permit process and
environmental assessments, primarily for wind power.
Malin Blohm, Investigator, Ecogain
Environmental lawyer with many years of experience in environmental
permit issues and civil engineering issues both from working at the
Swedish Land and Environmental Court of Appeal and as a consultant.
Karolina Adolphson, Quality Review, Ecogain
Biologist and experienced project manager with solid experience working
on environmental assessments and EIA and broad knowledge of the
permit process as well as the requirements and legislation associated with
environmental assessments.
Susan Enetjärn, graphic artist, Ecogain
Susan has more than 30 years of experience as an illustrator and graphic
artist.
4
YOUR OPINIONS ARE IMPORTANT
The consultation procedure allows authorities, individuals, and the public to provide
information and to submit comments on the activities planned. Njordr Offshore
Wind AB would like to receive feedback and opinions on the content and design of
the environmental impact assessment, as well as on the location, scope, design, and
the environmental effects that planned activities may entail directly or indirectly.
Please provide your remarks in writing so that we can compile them in a
consultation report as objectively and correctly as possible and to incorporate them
into future environmental impact assessments.
Consultation remarks can be sent via e-mail to
[email protected]
Alternatively by letter to:
Ecogain AB
Baltic Offshore Delta
Attention: Administrator
Östra Hamngatan 17
411 10 Gothenburg
Consultation remarks may be submitted until 12 February 2022.
Be sure to label the e-mail or letter with “Baltic Offshore Delta.”
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CONTENTS
SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 8
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 10
1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Applicable legislation and consultation ................................................................................... 11
1.2.1 Scope of the consultation .......................................................................................................... 12
1.3 Administrative information .......................................................................................................... 15
2. LOCATION STUDY AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION .................................................................. 16
2.1 Location process ................................................................................................................................ 16
2.1.1 Selection of location ..................................................................................................................... 16
2.2 Main options ........................................................................................................................................ 17
2.2.1 Design options ................................................................................................................................ 21
2.3 Zero alternative .................................................................................................................................. 22
2.4 Design of wind power farm ........................................................................................................... 22
2.4.1 Wind turbines and layout ......................................................................................................... 23
2.4.2 Foundations and anchoring ..................................................................................................... 26
2.4.3 Bottom-anchored foundations ............................................................................................... 27
2.4.4 Floating foundations ................................................................................................................... 27
2.4.5 Electrical and communications systems ............................................................................ 29
3. ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE AREA AND ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ............ 31
3.1 Planning conditions .......................................................................................................................... 31
3.1.1 Marine planning ............................................................................................................................ 31
3.1.2 Marine environmental mangement ...................................................................................... 34
3.1.3 HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan.............................................................................................. 34
3.2 Environmental quality standards ............................................................................................... 35
3.3 Nearby wind turbine farms ........................................................................................................... 36
3.4 Wind resources................................................................................................................................... 38
3.5 Cables and pipelines ......................................................................................................................... 40
3.6 Areas of national interest ............................................................................................................... 42
3.7 Landscape view .................................................................................................................................. 47
3.8 Oceanography and marine geology ........................................................................................... 49
3.8.1 Effect on sea currents and mixing ......................................................................................... 50
3.9 Natural environment ....................................................................................................................... 53
3.9.1 Protected areas .............................................................................................................................. 54
3.9.2 Life on the sea bottom ................................................................................................................ 57
3.9.3 Fish ...................................................................................................................................................... 58
3.9.4 Marine mammals .......................................................................................................................... 59
3.9.5 Birds .................................................................................................................................................... 61
3.9.6 Bats ...................................................................................................................................................... 63
3.9.7 Species protection ........................................................................................................................ 64
3.9.8 Biodiversity and environmental engineering .................................................................. 65
3.10 Cultural heritage ................................................................................................................................ 66
3.11 Outdoor activities and recreation .............................................................................................. 68
3.12 Natural resources .............................................................................................................................. 68
3.12.1 Commercial fishing ...................................................................................................................... 68
3.13 Maritime traffic ................................................................................................................................... 70
3.14 Noises...................................................................................................................................................... 74
3.14.1 Low frequency and infrared noise ........................................................................................ 76
3.14.2 Underwater noise ......................................................................................................................... 76
3.15 Visualisations and visibility analyses ....................................................................................... 77
3.16 Shadows ................................................................................................................................................. 77
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3.17 Risk and safety .................................................................................................................................... 78
3.18 Assembly/construction phase ..................................................................................................... 83
3.19 Operating phase ................................................................................................................................. 85
3.20 Dismantling and decommissioning ........................................................................................... 85
4. CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ..................................................................... 86
4.1 Climate and renewable energy .................................................................................................... 86
4.2 The global sustainable development goals ............................................................................ 88
4.3 The Swedish environmental objectives system ................................................................... 90
5. FURTHER WORK .................................................................................................................. 91
5.1 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) .............................................................................. 91
5.2 Planned studies before receiving the environmental permit ........................................ 92
5.3 Planned studies after receiving environmental permit .................................................... 95
5.4 Preliminary schedule and implementation............................................................................ 97
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 98
APPENDIX 1. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS .................................................................................. 107
APPENDIX 2. CONSULTATION CIRCLE ...................................................................................... 108
APPENDIX 3. NOISE CALCULATIONS NORD 2000 .................................................................... 110
APPENDIX 4. NOISE CALCULATIONS (DANISH MODEL) ........................................................... 111
APPENDIX 5. PHOTO MONTAGE ............................................................................................. 112
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SUMMARY
Njodr Offshore Wind AB (Njodr) intends to apply for a permit under the
Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone Act (1992:1140) and the Continental
Shelf Act (1966:314) to construct the Baltic Offshore Delta wind power
farm within Sweden's exclusive economic zone. At most, 300 turbines with
a maximum total height of 330 meters are planned.
The project is expected to contribute with a number of positive
environmental effects. The main one is that the wind power farm will
produce a large amount of renewable electricity that contributes to
mitigating climate change. In addition, the artificial reef structures created
by the foundation of wind turbines can benefit bottom-dwelling organisms
and fish who feed on them. Disruptions to animal life from trawling and
shipping in the project area are also reduced.
The planned activities are assumed to have significant environmental
impacts and therefore scope consultations must be held. This consultation
document forms the basis for the consultation process and will be
followed by an environmental impact assessment (EIA). The consultation
document contains an example of the layout of the wind power farm, i.e.,
the potential location of the wind turbines within the project area.
The project area for Baltic Offshore Delta is almost 55 kilometres from
land (Sandhamn, the municipality of Värmdö) and almost seven
kilometres south-east of Sweden's territorial border.
The project area is located in a marine area with few identified and
protected opposing interests. It involves a maritime route of national
interest for shipping and coincides with three registered historic cultural
sites. Except for shipping and commercial fishing, other important areas of
national interest, such as defence, the natural and cultural environment,
and recreation, are located west of the project area.
In-depth investigations, mainly regarding the conditions on the sea
bottom, natural values, bird life and marine archeology will be carried out
as part of the environmental impact assessment. The investigations,
together with opinions from the consultation process, will form the basis
for the final design of the wind power farm and the basis for the
environmental impact assessment to support the permit application.
8
Based on the information now available, our assessment is that the
project's most significant adverse environmental effects include a possible
impact on marine wildlife, flying birds and shipping. The assessment may
change in light of the results of planned investigations.
9
1. INTRODUCTION
This chapter introduces the project and the planned activities. In addition, the
current legislation, the various stages of the authorisation process and the
consultation process for the project are presented.
1.1 Background
Sweden has developed energy policy targets which, among other things,
state that Swedish electricity production in 2040 should be 100 percent
renewable and that no net greenhouse gas emissions should be released
into the atmosphere by 2045. Wind power is an important part of the
transition to a more ecologically sustainable society, through more
efficient use of electricity and a shift to renewable forms of energy using
environmentally acceptable technologies. In 2020, wind power accounted
for 17 per cent of the country's electricity production, which corresponds
to 27.6 TWh (Swedish Energy Agency, 2021a). The demand for electricity
is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. For example, the
main scenario from the Swedish Energy Agency means that 80–120 TWh
of new renewable energy production is needed by 2045, and the
conversion of transport and industry is of great importance toward that
end (Swedish Energy Agency, 2018).
The Swedish Energy Agency has stated that around 50 TWh of offshore
wind power should be part of the plan to reach the government's target of
100% renewable energy by 2040 (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water
Management, 2019a). According to the National Strategy for Sustainable
Wind (Swedish Energy Agency, 2021b), offshore wind power is expected
to be increased by 20 TWh. In 2018, approximately 0.67 TWh of offshore
wind power was produced according to the Swedish Energy Agency
(Swedish Energy Agency, 2019). Today there are three offshore wind
farms: Lillgrund, Bockstigen and Kårehamn.
Njordr Offshore Wind AB is now investigating the possibility of
establishing wind power in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone in the
Baltic Sea in an area that is situated about 55 kilometres east of Sandhamn,
65 kilometres south of Åland and 100 kilometres north of Fårö on Gotland.
With its location outside the Stockholm region, the project provides good
opportunities for helping to meet the ever-increasing need for renewable
energy in a region that already has difficulties producing its own
electricity, and where the possibilities for land-based wind power are
limited.
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1.2 Applicable legislation and consultation
Planned activities require the government's authorisation in accordance
with the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone Act (1992:1140). According to
the permit application procedure, Chapters 2–4 and Chapter 5, Sections 3–
5 and 18 of the Swedish Environmental Code applies. A specific
environmental assessment will be carried out, and an EIA will be prepared
by the operator, Table 1.
Government permission is also required for the wind power farm's
internal cable network, in accordance with the Continental Shelf Act
(1966:314), and for investigations before and during the laying of
underwater cables and pipelines on the continental shelf , Table 1.
According to Sec. 6 of Environmental Assessment Regulation (2017:966),
the planned activities are assumed to have a significant impact on the
environment, which means that a so-called scope consultation must be
carried out. Therefore, no investigatory consultations have been carried
out.
This document provides background information for the scope
consultation, which according to Chapter 6, Sec. 30 of the Swedish
Environmental Code, must be held with the County Administrative Board,
regulatory agencies, and private individuals who are expected to be
particularly affected by the operations, as well as the other governmental
authorities, municipalities and the public that may be expected to be
impacted by the project.
The Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone Act (1992:1140) states that it is the
County Administrative Board of the county where Sweden's marine
territory is closest to the planned activity that is responsible for the
processing the application. For the Baltic Offshore Delta project, this
means the County Administrative Board in Stockholm County.
According to Chapter 6, Sec. 28 of the Swedish Environmental Code, a
specific environmental assessment means that the operator consults on
the scope of the EIA, identifies, assesses, and documents the
environmental effects of the planned activities in the EIA, and that the
authority providing the approval permit then completes the EIA.
The different steps of the permit process are shown schematically in
Figure 1.
The consultation procedure allows regulatory authorities, individuals, and
the public to provide information and to submit comments (consultation
remarks) on the activities planned.
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Njordr now intends to obtain information and opinions on the content and
design of the EIA, as well as on the location, scope, design, and
environmental effects that the project may entail directly or indirectly. The
environmental effects may be positive or negative, temporary or
permanent and may arise in the short, medium or long term with regard
to:
• population and human health
• animal or plant species protected under chapter 8 of the Swedish
Environmental Code and other biological diversity
• ground, soil, water, air, climate, landscapes, and cultural values
• the management of land and water and the physical environment in
general
• other management of materials, raw materials, and energy
• other parts of the environment.
We ask you to submit consultation remarks in writing so that we can
compile them in a consultation report as objectively and correctly as
possible and to incorporate them into future environmental impact
assessments.
Chapter 2 presents the planned activities in more detail.
1.2.1 Scope of the consultation
The establishment of the Baltic Offshore Delta wind power farm also
requires permits other than those specified in Section 1.2 Applicable
Legislation and Consultation. These will be applied for and reviewed
separately and are not covered in this consultation document, Table 1.
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TABLE 1 Summary of the application of permits identified so far, which are intended to be
applied for in terms of the project and the legislation by which this is regulated.
Activity Permits as required by law When
The wind power farm The Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone This consultation and
Act (1992:1140). During the permit the subsequent
application process, Chapters 2–4 and permit application
Chapter 5, Sec. 3–5 and 18 of the
Swedish Environmental Code are
applied, and a specific environmental
assessment is to be carried out, and
an EIA is to be produced by the
operator.
The associated internal The Continental Shelf Act (1966:314) This consultation and
cable networks for the for investigations before and when the subsequent
wind farm laying underwater cables and permit application
pipelines on the continental shelf.
Seabed surveys Permit application under the Separate application/
Continental Shelf Act (1966:314) or registration
notification to the Geological Survey
of Sweden (SGU).
Connection of the wind The Continental Shelf Act (1966:314) Separate application
farm to land outside for shutting down and operation of
Sweden's territory connecting cables on the continental
shelf from the wind farm (from the
substation) to the connection to
overhead powerlines on land, within
Sweden's Exclusive Economic Zone
and territorial waters.
Connection of the wind Swedish Electricity Act (1997:857) Separate application
farm to land in Sweden's (concession) for the decommissioning
territory and operation of connecting cables
and/or air lines in Sweden's territory.
Decommissioning and Swedish Environmental Code Separate application
operating connection (1998:808)
cables and/or overhead
lines in Sweden's territory
Network connection to Authorisation and ability to connect Separate application
Swedish National Grid to the main electrical grid.
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THE PERMIT PROCESS
1 PROJECT IDEA 2 CONSULTATION DOCUMENT 3 SCOPE CONSULTATION AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Opportunity to comment
6 PROCESSING 5 PERMIT APPLICATION 4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT CREATED AND
SUBMITTED
7 POTENTIAL 8 DECISION REGARDING
SUPPLEMENTATION PERMIT AND CONDITIONS
10 SELF-MONITORING, 9 ACTIVITY CARRIED OUT
ENVIRONMENTAL
INSPECTION
FIGURE 1 Visual diagram of the permit application process
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1.3 Administrative information
Table 2 sets out the administrative information on which this consultation
document is based.
TABLE 2. Administrative information, technical data, and wind farm dimensions
Operators Njordr Offshore Wind AB
Corporate ID Number 559308 – 6019
Postal address (head office) Lantvärnsgatan 8
652 21 Karlstad
SWEDEN
Contact person Niklas Sondell, project manager Njordr Offshore Wind AB
Telephone 070 - 218 50 64
The name of the wind farm Baltic Offshore Delta
Location Marine area east of Stockholm (Ö204), Marine area North
Baltic Sea and Southern Kvarken Strait, Sweden’s Exclusive
Economic Zone
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2. LOCATION STUDY AND PROJECT
DESCRIPTION
This chapter describes how the location for the planned activities was selected.
The scope, dimensions and technical conditions for the planned wind farm are
also presented.
2.1 Location process
Since planned activities are automatically assumed to have a significant
environmental impact, future EIAs should list alternative locations, if
possible, as well as different design options that are investigated within
the framework of the project. In addition, a zero alternative should also be
presented. In the present case, no specific alternative locations have been
developed, but based on a selection process, as described in Section 2.1.1
Choice of location below, the most suitable site for the wind turbine farm
has been selected. The method for selecting the location will be described
in more detail in the EIA.
The Swedish Environmental Code states in its portal section that land,
water, and the physical environment should be used in such a way as to
ensure good long-term management from an ecological, social, cultural,
and socioeconomic point of view. In addition, Swedish energy policy
targets state that wind power will be expanded to a large extent, and that
the expansion must take place in several locations at the same time.
A suitable area to expand wind turbine operations requires good wind
conditions, few opposing interests, and also good opportunities for large-
scale operations in order to share common costs, for example connection
to the electrical network.
2.1.1 Selection of location
The proposed location for Baltic Offshore Delta is based on a
comprehensive feasibility study of the Swedish part of the Baltic Sea in
relation to future energy needs, technical and commercial feasibility,
environmental conditions, and impact on the environment, as well as
other potential opposing interests. The aim has been to identify the places
that maximise the climate and environmental benefits while minimising
the impact on nature and the environment, and any negative
consequences for human health and the environment.
The study is based on a basic mapping of the potential wind resources (see
Section 3.4), technical and commercial feasibility, and opposing interests.
Distance to land, depth to the seabed, and economic conditions were also
important aspects in the choice of location.
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In addition, a variety of parameters have been taken into account in the
process of selecting a location. The following can be mentioned among
these:
• Maritime traffic – focus on adaptation to actual maritime traffic
• Defence – known stopping areas, practice areas and national
interests have been avoided
• Fishing – avoids conflicts with national interests
• Net fishing – areas with high intensity have been avoided
• Porpoises - areas that are less important for porpoises
• Long-tailed duck and black guillemot – estimated presence used as
an indicator of important seabird areas
• Nature restrictions (Natura2000, conservation areas, etc.) – outside
and with buffer zones
• Aviation - outside areas in conflict with aviation
• Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management – marine plans
are used to avoid conflict areas
• Sea depth – deeper water with floating foundations or those
anchored to the sea bottom
• Oxygen deficiency – areas that sometimes or consistently lack
oxygen at the bottom are encouraged
• Wind resources – detailed surveys of wind
• Risk areas for mines – the known areas have been avoided
• Main electrical grid - strategic location in relation to needs and
interconnection with other countries
• Energy needs – focus on regions with a high production deficit
• Visibility – turbines that are hidden beneath the horizon as much as
possible
• Disturbances for the public – being far out at sea also results in
reduced disturbance beyond being visible
• Commercially feasible – being far out at sea in deep water requires
large wind farms
• In general, all known national interests have been avoided. The
exception is for maritime traffic where the focus has been more on
actual shipping.
2.2 Main options
The Baltic Offshore Delta project area is located in the area of the sea that
is east of Stockholm (Ö204) in the North Baltic Sea and Southern Kvarken
Strait in Sweden's Exclusive Economic Zone, see Figure 2. The distance to
the surrounding land is far, where the closest is Sandhamn, 53 kilometres
west of the project area. The project area consists of open sea with no
islands, see Figure 3.
The project area is 1064 square kilometres. The depth of the sea varies
between roughly 30 and 180 metres, with the shallowest areas located in
17
the north. The average depth of the entire project area is approximately
100 metres (SGU, 2021). The bottom of the area is low in oxygen, and the
bottom sediment is dominated by post-glacial fine sand and glacial clay
(SGU, 2021), see further description in Section 3.8.
The project is estimated to have potential for approximately 5000 MW of
installed power with an annual production of approximately 20 TWh.
The factors on which the scope of the project area is based are described
in more detail in Section 2.1.1.
A separate application to connect to the main electrical grid has been
submitted to the Swedish National Grid, see Section 5.2 regarding
electricity connection.
In order to improve the options for offshore wind power in the Baltic Sea,
surrounding countries have jointly started the Baltic Offshore Grid
Initiative, which will pursue joint plans for electrical grids in the Baltic Sea
and between the different countries on the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Offshore
Delta project area is strategically well-positioned with potential future
links to most countries (Baltic IntelGrid 2019), see Figure 4.
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FIGURE 2 Project location of the site
in the Baltic Sea. The dashed lines indicate the border
of EEZ
Project area
Border of Swedish
EEZ
FIGURE 3 Project area location and distance
to land. The closest is Sandhamn, about
53 kilometres west
Project area
Border of Swedish
EEZ
FIGURE 4 Baltic Offshore Grid (BOG 2050) concept. Source: Baltic IntegrGrid (n.d.), page 25. The
black ring marks the approximate location of the project area in relation to the planning
proposal's investigation corridors and has been added to the map afterwards.
2.2.1 Design options
The work on developing the most optimal layout for the wind farm, i.e., the
placement of wind turbines and associated infrastructure with the least
possible environmental impact, takes place on an ongoing basis throughout
the project. Design options can include, for example, different locations for
the turbines, different dimensions of the turbines or different foundation
choices. The layout presented during the consultation phase, see Section 2.4,
should therefore only be seen as an example of how the planned wind power
farm might look. However, the number of turbines will not exceed 300 in the
final layout.
A summary of the different design options examined will be presented in the
next EIA.
2.3 Zero alternative
A zero alternative is a comparison option that describes the situation if
planned activities are not carried out. A report on the zero alternative is
prepared in the upcoming EIA and the estimated environmental effects, as a
result of planned activities, will then be compared with the zero alternative.
2.4 Design of wind power farm
The Baltic Offshore Delta wind farm is planned to consist of a maximum of
300 wind turbines with a total installed power of about 5000 MW and an
expected annual production of about 20 TWh.
The turbines within the wind farm will be connected via an internal cable
network connected to one or more offshore substations to transfer electricity
to the land via one or more connection cables. Refer to Section 2.4.5 for a
more detailed description of electrical and communication systems.
There are two main techniques for anchoring foundations to offshore wind
turbines; directly to the bottom (bottom-anchored foundations) or via cables
(floating foundations). See Section 2.4.2 for a detailed description of the
various foundations. Both of these technologies are expected to be relevant
for Baltic Offshore Delta. Due to the depth of the sea, bottom-anchored
foundations can only be considered in the northern part of the project area
where the depth is shallower than in the southern part, see Figure 6 below.
Scope and design
At most, 300 turbines with a maximum overall height of 330 metres are
planned within the 1130 square kilometre project area. The scope and
dimensions of the wind power farm are summarized in Table 3. The number
of turbines, and thus their relative locations, will be planned on the basis of
available technology in order to make decisions about construction. Different
options are presented in Table 4. An example layout is described in Section
2.4.1.
TABLE 3 The dimensions of the planned Baltic Offshore Delta wind farm.
Number of turbines Up to 300
Power per turbine Approx. 20 MW, production approx. 80 GWh/year (sample turbine)
Total height Up to 330 metres
TABLE 4. Parameters for power, size of turbine and distance between them depending on the
number of turbines used. For sample layouts, as well as for calculating production and power
profiles, 253 turbines of 20 MW each have been used (see Section 2.4.1).
No. of turbines Power (MW) Rotor diameter Total power Average
(m) (MW) distance (m)
300 15 230 4500 1800
250 20 263 5000 2000
220 25 295 5500 2150
2.4.1 Wind turbines and layout
Due to the relatively long processes for realizing offshore wind power,
combined with the rapid technological development in the wind power
industry, it is not possible at this time to describe in detail the wind turbines
that may eventually be constructed. The current schedule indicates that
Baltic Offshore Delta is likely to be completed at the earliest around 2030–
2032, see Section 5.4.
There are currently offshore wind turbines with an installed power of 15 MW
and according to industry forecasts, 20 MW turbines are likely to be in
existence around year 2025. The production analysis for the project is based
on a sample turbine with an installed power of 20 MW. This involves a
somewhat conservative expectation of future technology development up to
2030–2032. The example turbine has a rotor diameter of 263 metres and a
total height of 300 metres, see Figure 5. Note, however, that the application
includes a maximum total turbine height of 330 metres.
The locations for the wind turbines in the project area are governed by local
conditions, such as geotechnical engineering, depth conditions, shipping,
natural and cultural values, and wind conditions. For example, in the project
area there is a five kilometre wide corridor for maritime traffic to access the
area, see Figure 6. Wind turbines also need to be located about two
kilometres apart in order to avoid affecting each other's production and to
maintain proper safety.
Associated activities
During the construction and decommissioning phase of the wind farm,
temporary disturbances may occur, including in the form of increased vessel
traffic and pile driving for anchoring foundations. For a description of how
marine wildlife, recreation and shipping may be affected, see the respective
sections in Chapter 3.
FIGURE 5 Sample turbine size above the water surface in the preliminary production analysis for
Baltic Offshore Delta.
FIGURE 6 Example layout for the wind power
farm. In the northern part of the project area,
the depth is shallower, which enables bottom-
anchored foundations for wind turbines. In
order for maritime traffic to access the area, a
corridor of about five kilometres through the
project area has been left free from wind
turbines, see Section 3.13.
Project area
Possible bottom anchoring
Example turbine layout
Border of Swedish
Exclusive Economic Zone
25
2.4.2 Foundations and anchoring
Offshore wind turbines can be placed on foundations that are either floating
or anchored to the seabed, see Figure 7. With today's technology, bottom-
anchored foundations can be used down to about 60 metres depth. At larger
depths, floating foundations are a more suitable solution. Floating
foundations are a newer technology that is relatively expensive at the
moment, and in the short-term, it is competitive only at large depths of water.
However, future development and significantly higher volumes are expected
to drive down the costs for floating foundations. The anchoring method that
is best for Baltic Offshore Delta will be investigated and determined when the
turbine model has been selected.
FIGURE 7 Overview of types of foundations for offshore wind turbines. Source: Dornhelm et al.
(2019).
26
2.4.3 Bottom-anchored foundations
Bottom-anchored foundations consist of four main technologies:
Monopile
Monopile foundations consist of a steel cylinder driven down into the sea
bottom by piling. It is currently the most common technology for offshore
wind. It is fast and relatively inexpensive to install. The technology is well-
suited for relatively shallow water, up to 30–40 metres using current
technology, and seabeds consisting mainly of sand or gravel. There is ongoing
research aimed at changing the design to produce monopile solutions that
work down to 70 metres. A disadvantage of the conventional piling method
for installing of monopiles is that it creates vibrations and sounds that can
disturb underwater organisms and animals. In sensitive areas, an alternative
to monopiles can therefore be using a suction pipe/anchor where the pipe
itself is driven down by creating a vacuum in the pipe. This option is suitable
for soft bottoms.
Gravity foundation
A gravity foundation consists of a circular concrete structure filled with
ballast that rests on the seabed. The tower is fixed to the foundation and the
turbine is kept upright by gravity. Gravity foundations are a simple and cost-
effective method suitable for most types of sea bottom. The disadvantage is
that their area of use is limited to relatively shallow depths of water, 30
metres is a general maximum depth of the bottom.
Jacket (truss foundation)
The jacket foundation consists of a truss structure that is anchored to the sea
bottom. It is a stable design that can handle high loads and far greater depth
than the above solutions. The foundation is also relatively insensitive to the
type of sea bottom, since the method of fastening to the seabed can be
adapted to the conditions.
Tripod
A tripod foundation consists of an upper cylindrical part joined to the tower
and a lower three-legged structure that distributes the force to the bottom.
The tripod technology is stable and capable of handling relatively large sea
depths. It also fits most fixed bottom types. The disadvantage is the cost and
the fact that it requires more effort during transportation.
2.4.4 Floating foundations
For floating foundations, there are three main techniques today. However,
this technology is developing quickly, and more potential solutions are likely
to be developed before Baltic Offshore Delta is realized.
27
All floating foundations described below are based on fastening the
foundation to the sea bottom with cables. The choice of anchoring depends
on the type of seabed that is present and can therefore vary within the
project area, see Figure 8.
Under normal production conditions, the floating foundation, semi-
submersible and SPAR, can move horizontally with the movements of the
water in a radius of about 10–25 metres from the centre. The fastening in the
sea bottom does not move and the fastening lines are never so slack that they
reach the bottom.
FIGURE 8 A view of the most common methods of fastening to the bottom. Source: Vryhof anchors,
2010.
28
Spar
The Spar technology is based on a counterweight placed directly under the
floating wind turbine and thus stabilising the lateral movement of the turbine
from both aerodynamic loads and forces from waves and ocean currents. The
stabilising counterweight typically consists of a cylinder filled with ballast. A
practical limitation is that the cylinder body is generally the same length as
the turbine tower, which means that very deep ports, or other solutions, are
required to perform the assembly off-site.
Semi-submersible
The turbine is placed on a floating platform that is anchored to the bottom
with slack anchor lines. The floating platform can consist of both a single
large floating element or many floating elements (pontoons) assembled with
outriggers to distribute the lifting force over a larger area, thereby increasing
stability.
Tension Leg
The tension leg technology is based on a floating platform that is stabilised by
tensioned anchor lines to the bottom. Compared to the techniques above,
which are based on slack lines to keep the turbines in place, the tension leg
technology means that the platform needs more buoyancy, and the line
fastening needs to handle a greater load.
2.4.5 Electrical and communication systems
The turbines are connected to an internal cable network for communication
and transmission of the produced energy. The voltage level in today's
internal cable systems is usually 66 kV, but it is likely that higher voltage
levels may also be relevant for Baltic Offshore Delta. Communication between
the wind turbines is important for operational monitoring and load control at
both the turbine and system levels.
The internal cable network is connected at one or more offshore substations,
so-called OSS’s (Offshore Sub-Stations). The substations transform the
electricity produced by the wind turbines into high voltage and probably also
into high voltage direct current (HVDC) to reduce electrical losses when
transferring to the mainland via one or more connecting cables.
29
No dumping of material is planned, but a trench will be created when laying
the cable at the right depth in the sea bottom. Moving sediment is also not
planned.
Potential impacts on plant and animal life from internal cable networks and
substations, as well as the risk of leaking current in the water, both during
the installation phase and operation, will be analysed and clarified in the EIA
and form part of the risk and vulnerability analysis in the event of an accident
or sabotage.
A separate application to connect to the main electrical grid has been
submitted to Swedish National Grid, see Section 5.2 regarding electricity
connection.
30
3. ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE AREA AND
ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
This chapter briefly describes the surrounding conditions and the expected
environmental effects that the wind power facility is expected to cause. In future
work on the EIA, these environmental effects will be investigated and reported in
more detail.
3.1 Planning conditions
The oceans are largely unexplored at the same time as they are important
from many different aspects, e.g. in terms of shipping routes, combating
climate change, habitat for biodiversity, importance for food production and
recreation, and more. In order to ensure that we use the seas in a long-term
and sustainable way without harming them, it is important to carefully
investigate the impact of the planned activities prior to their possible
installation.
The current project area lies within Sweden's Exclusive Economic Zone, and
thus it is the state that has planning responsibility for the area in terms of
marine planning and marine environmental management. The distance from
the project area to the Finnish Exclusive Economic Zone is approximately 1.5
kilometres, equivalent to just under one nautical mile.
3.1.1 Marine planning
The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management has been given a
government mandate to prepare proposals for official marine plans for the
Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea, and the North Sea, with the aim of contributing
to the long-term sustainable development of marine areas that bring
economic policy objectives, social objectives, and environmental objectives
together. The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management submitted
a proposal for an official governmental marine plan at the end of 2019.
The government is now reviewing the proposal that was submitted. The
marine plan is a guiding document for the permit application process.
31
The Swedish Energy Agency has identified national interests for energy
production, but the marine plan states that the national interests identified
are not sufficient to achieve the objectives for energy production, and the
marine plan has therefore developed new areas for energy production
together with the Swedish Energy Agency (Swedish Agency for Marine and
Water Management, 2019b). The assessment has been based on depth,
average wind, bottom conditions, and proximity to electricity connections on
land and areas with high electricity consumption. For areas designated for
energy production in the marine plan, this interest should be given priority in
terms of the permit authorisation process. This does not mean that areas that
are not designated are not suitable or should not be authorised. The marine
plan also describes the need to identify more areas for offshore wind power.
The main conflict of interest identified involves the national defence
interests.
The project area is located in the Baltic Sea area. The Baltic Sea area is
divided into five areas, where the project area is located in the northernmost
region, called the North Baltic Sea and the South Kvarken Strait. Each area is
in turn divided into twelve sub-areas with a different focus. The entire
project area is located in sub-area Ö204, General use Ö204, with particular
regard to cultural values, see Table 5. Sub-areas Ö214, Ö203, Ö206 and Ö207
are adjacent to the project, see Figure 9. Sub-area Ö214 is located north of the
project area and special consideration should be given to the special natural
values found in the form of reef environments, bird and mammal habitats,
and climate refuge for blue mussels. West of Ö214 is the area Ö203, which is
used for natural conservation, shipping, and maritime traffic research. The
area also includes special cultural values. Both Ö206 and Ö207 are located
west of Ö204, and they are used primarily for national defence, but shipping
and maritime traffic research, while Ö206 is also used for nature
conservation.
The northern Baltic Sea area is well suited for energy production due to good
wind conditions. There is a suitable depth in several places and the electricity
demand is great in the Mälardal region around Stockholm. A region of
national interest for energy production is located in sub-areas Ö203 and
Ö214, north of the project area, see Figure 9. Both north and south of the
project area are highlighted areas in the marine plan designated as Energy:
Other claims for wind turbines, see Figure 9. The smaller area north of the
project area that is designated for Energy: Other claims for wind turbines
overlaps the project area by 1.77 square kilometres. Otherwise, it is mainly
the interests of shipping that affect parts of the project area, see Sections 3.6
and 3.13.
32
FIGURE 9 Plan map for a part of the marine area
called North Baltic Sea and South Kvarken
Straits. Source: Swedish Agency for Marine
and Water Management
Project area
National interest for wind turbine energy
production
Energy: Other claims for wind turbines
Ö206 North Korsö shooting range
Ö204 Marine area east Stockholm
Ö203 Svenska Björn Lighthouse to the Svenska
Högarna Hillocks
Ö207 Södra Korsö shooting range, Almagrundet
lighthouse station
Ö214 Öst Svenska Hillocks
33
Exclusive Economic Zone
TABLE 5 Extract from description of the marine area Ö204 North Baltic Sea and South Kvarken
Strait. Special consideration should be given to these aspects if they occur. Defence interests
should be given priority if coexistence cannot be achieved. Source: Swedish Agency for Marine
and Water Management, 2019b.
Area Usage Special Priority or Justification for
consider- specific precedence
ation adaptation
for co-
existence
Ö204 General High Defence The national
use cultural takes interests in terms of
Shipping values precedence overall national
over energy defence are given
production. priority in
accordance with
Chapter 3, Sec. 10
of the Swedish
Environmental Code
over the national
interest claims for
wind farms and the
general interests of
vital importance for
wind farms. The
uses are not
considered to be
able to co-exist.
3.1.2 Marine environmental management
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which extends from the shoreline
to the outermost boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone, is an EU directive
aimed at achieving or maintaining good environmental status in Europe's
seas by 2020. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive is implemented in
Sweden in accordance with the marine environment regulation (Swedish
Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2021). Marine environmental
management under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive is done on the
basis of assessing the environmental status, monitoring environmental status
and, if necessary, creating measures to achieve or maintain good
environmental status, see Section 3.2 on environmental quality standards.
3.1.3 HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan
HELCOM, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, is a
partnership between all of the countries around the Baltic Sea that aims to
protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all types of pollution.
In 2007, HELCOM developed an action plan, the Baltic Sea Action Plan,
(HELCOM, 2007). The Action Plan lists several threats to the Baltic Sea and
measures that the Baltic Sea countries are committed to implementing. It
describes how to reduce pollution from hazardous substances, preserve the
unique brackish water ecosystems of the Baltic Sea, ensure long-term fishing,
and promote safe and environmentally responsible shipping. The plan does
not directly affect wind power and the planned wind power operation does
34
not conflict with any of the parts of HELCOM's action plan if the project is
implemented in such a way as to ensure, for example, that no hazardous
substances are dispersed during construction or operation.
3.2 Environmental quality standards
Environmental quality standards are regulations regarding the quality of soil,
water, air, or the environment in general. Environmental quality standards
can specify pollution or disturbance levels which humans, the environment
or nature can be safely exposed to. They may also consist of threshold values
or guiding values, indicate the maximum or minimum presence of organisms
in the surface water or groundwater, or be made up of the requirements
otherwise imposed in terms of environmental quality due to Sweden's
membership in the EU.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC aims to maintain or
achieve good environmental status in Europe's seas by 2020. In Sweden, the
directive has been implemented by the Marine Environmental Regulation
(2010:1341), which states that the management of the marine environment
shall mean that a good environmental status is achieved or maintained in the
North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management is the regulatory
authority responsible for implementing marine management plans. This
includes the development of environmental quality standards with indicators
to be used to assess whether a good environmental status has been achieved
or maintained. Another part involves the development and implementation
of programmes to monitor compliance with environmental quality standards
and the measures to be taken to maintain or achieve good environmental
status.
The aspects involved in maintaining or achieving good environmental status
in the sea include physical and chemical conditions, habitats, and biological
conditions. The environmental burden may consist of physical disturbances
such as damage to the sea bottom, provision of nutrients, pollutants, and
biological disturbances, such as the extinction of species from fishing.
The action programme developed by the Swedish Agency for Marine and
Water Management sets out the measures needed to comply with
environmental quality standards for the marine environment and to achieve
the established objectives for good environmental status in the marine
environment (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2015).
The actions are divided into different thematic areas. The two thematic areas
that are considered to be affected by the planned wind energy facility are the
integrity of the seabed and the supply of energy, including underwater noise.
Benthic marine environments are adversely affected by both the effects of
eutrophication and the direct impacts on the seabed, such as from fish
trawling. Oxygen content and currents are also important factors, see also
Section 3.8.1. Even if the planned wind farm affects the integrity of the
seabed through a direct intrusion, the total amount of substrate with the
35
operation increases and benthic organisms can benefit. The bottom is also
protected for a long time from the effects of trawling while the wind turbines
are in operation.
The noise in the seas caused by human activity increase both in strength and
frequency and may affect the animals living there, see Sections 3.9 and 3.14.
Environmental quality standards for energy, including underwater noise,
mean that good environmental status is characterized by "activities that
create noise levels that are sufficiently high to cause adverse effects on
individual populations or ecosystems that are limited in time and space” and
“underwater noise from ships should not give rise to long-term adverse
impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems.” Since the state of knowledge about
noise in the sea is poor, and there are no functional indications for assessing
environmental quality standards, no action is proposed in the action
programme, other than to raise awareness (Swedish Agency for Marine and
Water Management, 2015).
3.3 Nearby wind turbine facilities
So-called cumulative effects can occur if there are wind turbines in the
vicinity of the project area in question. Figure 10 and Table 6 show the wind
turbines that are built, have been granted permits, or are planned within 50
kilometres of the project area. Within this distance, there is only one smaller
wind turbine at the Swedish Högarna hillocks about 30 kilometres northwest
of the project area. The next wind turbine farm is about 80 kilometres away,
on the mainland. This turbine farm is not expected to be in operation at the
time of the preparation for this consultation document. The cumulative
effects are not likely to be relevant for the project, but on the basis of the final
placement of wind turbines and associated ancillary activities, a more
detailed description and assessment will be made in the EIA.
Note that the reporting of nearby wind power farms and planned areas is
based on the current situation and may change over time. The information
comes from Vindlov's mapping service called Vindbrukskollen (Vindlov
2021), which is updated by the operators themselves.
36
FIGURE 10 Map of turbines in the vicinity of the
project
Project area
Nearby wind turbines
Rejected
Completed
Exclusive Economic
37 Zone border
TABLE 6 Summary of wind power turbines within 50 kilometres and their distance from the project
area.
Installation Operators Scope/total height Status Distance
Swedish Project engineer One turbine / 26 Completed 30.5 kilometres
Högarna not registered metres
Hillocks
3.4 Wind resources
The wind resources in the project area are very good with a mean wind speed
of 9.6 m/s at 160 meters above sea level. The prevailing wind directions in
the area include westerly and southwesterly winds. These winds also have
the highest average wind speed in the area and thus make up a large part of
the potential wind resources in the area. Measurement data is based on long-
term adjusted, high-resolution simulations of the local wind conditions, see
Figure 11.
FIGURE 11 The prevailing wind directions in the Baltic Offshore Delta project area are westerly and
southwesterly, based on long-term, adjusted high-resolution simulations of the local wind
conditions with the ME-WAM model (Keck and Sondell 2020).
The good wind resources in the area, combined with the fact that periods of
low wind speeds occur less frequently than onshore, results in smoother
production over the year, see the estimated power profile for Baltic Offshore
Delta in Figure 12. The calculations show that the power output in December
and January, when there is the greatest need for energy, is over 1500 MW for
70–75 percent of the time (solid line in Figure 12), while in the middle of the
summer, it is over 1500 MW only about 40–45 percent of the time (dashed
line in Figure 12). In December and January, the output power is above 3500
MW more than 50 percent of the time. The power can be compared to the
capacity of the Oskarshamn 3 nuclear reactor, which has a maximum power
of 1450 MW.
38
Monthly share of time [%] above a certain output power [MW]
Baltic Offshore Delta
Installed power capacity of 5000 MW
FIGURE 12 Cumulative distribution of total power from Baltic Offshore Delta wind farm for the
various months of the year. To increase understanding of the figures, markers have been inserted
after analysis. The dashed line shows the 1500 MW limit, the solid circle shows when the power
in December and January exceeds 1500 MW, and the dashed circle shows when the power
exceeds 1500 MW in summertime.
39
3.5 Cables and pipelines
In the Baltic Sea, there are a number of cables and lines, mainly for
communications and transmission of electricity in the region. Most pipelines
run in an east-west direction between Sweden, Finland, and Estonia.
According to available data, there are no cables or lines in the project area or
its immediate vicinity (HELCOM, 2018, EMODnet, 2014 and 2017 and the
Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2019a).
The area that is closest to passing through the project area is in the south-
east, where there are gas pipelines between Russia and Germany, but there
are also cables about 8 kilometres away, see Figure 13. Updated information
on existing and planned cables and pipelines connected to the project area
will be collected during project planning and will be described in the EIA.
40
FIGURE 13 Map of known cables and pipelines
located near the project area (HELCOM, 2018
and
Project area
Line/pipe (EMOD)
Cables (HELCOM)
41 Exclusive Economic
Zone border
3.6 Areas of national interest
National interests are geographical areas that are highlighted because they
contain important values and qualities from a national perspective. Areas of
national interest may aim to preserve values or prioritize the area for a
certain type of exploitation, but may also be identified for a certain type of
use, such as commercial fishing (Boverket, 2017).
Apart from a waterway of national interest for shipping, see Figure 14, no
national interest is directly affected by the project area. The route runs along
the eastern side of the project area and is covered in more detail in Section
3.13.
There is an area located 27 kilometres west of the project which has been
defined by the Swedish Defence Forces as a national interest to keep free of
obstacles, see Figure 15. There are also two naval training areas for the
Armed Forces located 38 and 48 kilometres south of the project area.
An area of national interest in terms of recreation is located 6.5 kilometres
northwest of the project area. Due to the distance it is not likely to be affected
by the project, see Figure 16. There are two areas of national interest for
energy production via wind farms in the vicinity of the project area. One is
located at the Svenska Björn lighthouse, about 14 kilometres north of the
project area, and the other at the Almagrundet lighthouse, roughly 47
kilometres west of the project area, see Figure 17. The closest area of national
interest for commercial fishing is more than 60 kilometres away, see Figure
17.
42
FIGURE 14 National interests for communications within
roughly 100 kilometres of the project area: Shipping,
ports and airports. An existing route of national
interest for shipping lies in the eastern part of the
project area. The project area is not within any MSA
areas or areas of national interest in air traffic.
Project area
Airport - MSA areas
Port - existing
Shipping - planned or future route
Shipping - existing route
Shipping - anchor sites
43
4 Swedish EEZ border
3
FIGURE 15 National interest for defence within 100
kilometres of the project area.
Project area
National interest on land
National interest at sea (naval training area)
Area of importance on land
MSA areas
Area required to be free from obstacles
Impact areas for weather radar
Impact area for noise or other hazards
Other impact area
Stop area for high objects
Swedish EEZ border
44
FIGURE 16 National interest for nature conservation,
cultural conservation, and outdoor activities within
100 kilometres of the project area. An area of national
interest for outdoor recreation is located about 65
kilometres northwest of the project site and the
nearest Natura 2000 site is located 27 kilometres
away.
Project area
Natura 2000 sites SCI excluding rivers
Natura 2000 sites Bird Directive SPA
3:6 Outdoor recreation
3:6 Cultural heritage protection
3:6 Nature conservation
4:2 Various outdoor activites
4:4 Highly exploited coast
45 Exclusive Economic Zone border
4
5
FIGURE 17 National interest for commercial fishing
and wind energy production within 100 kilometres
of the project area
Project area
RI Commercial Fisheries: Marine plan
areas
RI commercial fisheries: Coastal zone
Energy production wind farms
46 Exclusive Economic Zone border
3.7 Landscape view
The view of the landscape and the consequences of a wind turbine farm are
subjective and are based on the human experience of the landscape. In
general, it is inevitable that a wind farm will affect the prevailing landscape,
but how the changes are perceived varies with the viewer and is related to
the viewer's expectations of the landscape and attitudes towards renewable
energy.
The landscape view is defined as the character of the landscape, that is, the
appearance of the landscape and the experience of the landscape. This
section is therefore closely linked to other sections described in this
consultation document, such as outdoor activities and recreation and cultural
environment.
Topography and natural geographical conditions
The Baltic Offshore Delta project area is located in the open sea without islands
and with long distances to the surrounding countries. The nearest land area is
Sandhamn, which is about 55 kilometres west, Åland is 65 kilometres north of
the project area and Fårö north of Gotland just over 100 kilometres south.
Due to the long distance to shore the visual impact on land (coastal zone or
mainland) would be negligible. The visual effects of the Baltic Offshore Delta
alone have been analysed preliminarily using line-of-sight analyses that show
the theoretical possibility of seeing wind turbines with a completely open
view and taking into account the curvature of the earth. Figure 18 shows the
distance from which a light obstacle located 180 metres above sea level is
visible above the horizon at sea level, the orange line. Purple line shows the
same information for the top tip of the wind turbine at 330 metres above sea
level.
In the EIA, further visibility analyses will be presented to show where the
wind turbines will be visible. In addition, photomontage and obstacle
animations will be created to illustrate how the planned wind power farm
may look from some representative locations in the surrounding areas. The
visibility analyses available to date can be found in Appendix 5 and via
www.njordroffshorewind.eu/pagaende-projekt/Delta/.
47
FIGURE 18 The lines indicate the distance of the
theoretical possibility at sea level of seeing an
obstruction light obstacle located 180 metres
above sea level (orange line) and the top tip of the
wind turbine at 330 metres above sea level
Project area
330 m altitude as viewed from sea level
180 m altitude as viewed from sea level
48 Exclusive Economic Zone border
3.8 Oceanography and marine geology
The Baltic Sea is an inland sea of brackish water. The northern parts have a
large supply of fresh water and therefore a very low salt content. In the south,
there is a greater exchange of sea water from the North Sea and the water
therefore has a higher salt content. The sea around the project area has a
salinity of around six per mille, which can be compared to the oceans with a
salinity of around 35 per mille. The salt content increases slightly at greater
depths and is just under ten per mille at 80 metres depth (measured at
Huvudskär eastern buoy, measurements at different depths during the
period May 2001 to September 2021, SMHI, 2021).
The depth within the project area varies from 30–45 metres in a few
locations down to 165–180 metres in the deepest locations. The depth is
mainly around 100 metres, shallower in the north and deeper in the south.
The seabed where the project area is located consists mainly of post-glacial
fine sand and glacial clay (SGU, 2021). Oxygen measurement data from the
last 12 years (2009-2021) at various times, within and in the vicinity of the
project area, shows very low oxygen levels (<0.5 ml/l) near the bottom
(sharkweb.smhi.se). At depths over 70 metres there are no major
fluctuations in the oxygen level. Parts are at high risk for oxygen deficiency.
Data from the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (2018)
shows less than two milligrams of oxygen per litre in the sediment in the
surroundings of the project. See planned investigations in Chapter 5.
Significant wave height is on average just below one metre high and peaks
around 5.5 metres (measurement at the Huvudskär eastern buoy, average
from May 2001 to September 2021), while the maximum wave height for 30
minutes on average is just over one and a half metres high for the same
location and period, and the highest waves measured is just over nine metres
high (SMHI, 2021). However, storms, and hence wave intensity, are expected
to increase in number and strength due to climate change (IPCC, 2021), (see
also Section 3.17, Wear and Extreme Weather).
The sea water level varies, for example, due to winds, air pressure, and land
uplift. The sea water level in the project area varied between half a metre
below to one metre above the mean water level (measurement at North
Province/Landsort Norra between October 2004 and September 2021,
RH2000). On average, during the entire period, the sea water level was 13 cm
above the mean water level (SMHI, 2021). The current direction is usually,
and on average, around 180° (measured at Huvudskär eastern buoy for the
period May 2021 to September 2021), which means a southerly current. The
speed of the current is approximately ten centimetres per second at a depth
of both two metres and 90 metres, while the current is twice as fast at a
depth of 40 metres. However, most of the time the speed of the current is
slower than the average speed. (SMHI, 2021).
49
3.8.1 Effect on sea currents and mixing
The oxygenation of the bottom of the Baltic Sea is linked to the supply of
oxygen-enriched salt water from the North Sea. The oxygen-rich water is
distributed east and north via the bottom currents of the Baltic Sea, see
Figure 19. This dynamic is very important for the ecosystem in the brackish
water of the Baltic Sea.
Bottom-anchored offshore wind turbines, see Figure 20, which are mounted
on towers down to the seabed, can potentially affect the mixing of the layered
water masses, which in turn, can theoretically have consequences for the salt
and oxygen content (see also Section 2.4.2 Foundations and fastening). Based
on the current state of knowledge, the effects of bottom-anchored wind
turbines are expected to be very limited.
Studies on the mixing induced by bottom-anchored foundations, both
individual cylinders and entire wind parks, located in the current into the
western Baltic Sea have been carried out (Rennau et al., 2012). In addition,
the fluctuations in salinity in the Bornholm channel have been simulated in
various scenarios for wind power expansion in the western Baltic Sea
(Rennau et al., 2012). The analysis shows that the changes in salinity at the
bottom of the Bornholm Canal, due to wind-induced water mixing, are very
low compared to the natural variations over the year. These are levels of
between 0.002 and 0.006 psu, which corresponds to about 0.1-0.3% of the
salinity at the bottom of the Bornholm Canal. The study concludes that the
impact on the Baltic Sea ecosystem is expected to be small.
A similar study for bottom-anchored turbines in the German part of the
North Sea (Carpenter et al., 2016) is in line with the study above:
• The turbulence induced by the towers can contribute to vertical mixing.
• In large-scale development this is judged to have a detectable impact on
temperature layers in the sea. (Note, however, that stratification as a
result of salinity is less sensitive).
• The possible environmental impact of remixing will be small. The effect
can be both positive and negative for the ecosystem.
Carpenter et al. (2016) also describes that the impact from floating wind
turbines, see Figure 20, is expected to be negligible in terms of mixing and the
effect on sea currents. This means that at the deepest sites, where the salty,
oxygen-rich currents are the most important, offshore wind will not affect the
mixing locally as bottom-anchored turbines are unlikely to be present at
depths below 50–80 metres. Project Delta, whose southern part is located in
the area where the northbound current at the bottom splits, is therefore
unlikely to affect the sea currents.
50
FIGURE 19 North Sea water route into the Baltic Sea. The project Delta area is marked as a polygon.
Source: Njordr, adaptation of data from SMHI and Baltic Sea Bathymetry Database,
http://data.bshc.pro/about/.
51
FIGURE 20 Overview of types of foundations for offshore wind turbines. Source: Illustration Joshua
Bauer, NREL 49055.
52
3.9 Natural environment
Marine ecosystems are affected by such things as salinity, temperature,
currents, winds, waves, depth ratios and bottom substrates. The planned
operations may affect currents and waves locally by posing physical obstacles
to the movement of water, as well as creating new substrates for organisms
to establish themselves on. The operations can also affect the natural
environment by generating noise.
Using the planning tool Symphony, the cumulative loads on the marine
environment has been evaluated (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water
Management, 2018). According to the report, the cumulative impact on the
area around the project area is relatively low, with slightly greater
environmental impact in the southern parts of the project area. In addition to
the load, a large-scale picture of the natural values of the sea can also be
generated. Based on the analysis, high natural values are mainly linked to
shallower areas, which could probably be partly explained by the fact that in
several parts of the deeper bottoms of the Baltic Sea there is a lack of oxygen.
The combined natural values, according to the green map produced in the
Symphony project, are probably relatively low in the project area. However,
knowledge of the natural values in the area is low (Agency for Marine and
Water Management, 2018) and will be further investigated within the EIA.
Plants and animals can be affected by the establishment of wind power
facilities at sea mainly by the effects of acoustic disturbances, the effect on
benthic habitats, and the fact that flying animals can collide with the wind
turbines (Vindval, 2017). The main negative effect on the life below the sea
level occurs during the construction phase, as the amount of activity is
greater in the area and there are more disturbances. However, during the
operating phase, the effects of the wind farm may be positive for life in the
sea, for example, through artificial reef formations, see Sections 3.9.2 and
3.9.3. The degree of positive impact depends, among other things, on whether
water circulation is affected by the project and to what extent organisms
settle on the structures that are created. In the case of flying animals, it is
mainly the operating phase that can adversely affect them by, for example,
collision risk or habitat loss, see Sections 3.9.5 and 3.9.6.
53
3.9.1 Protected areas
No areas that are protected with regard to the natural environment are
directly affected by the project area, see Figure 21. The nature reserve
Swedish Högarna hillocks is located about 18 kilometres west of the project
area. The values of the nature reserve are mainly tied to the outer
archipelago, the islands' vegetation and fauna, and the marine environments
adjacent to the islands and the thriving mussel banks far out at sea, even at
greater depths down to about 30 metres on hard substrates.
There are also bird colonies, and the area is an important stretch for
migratory birds. The birds involved include the black guillemot, common
guillemot, razorbill, and the silver tern. The nature reserve overlaps the two
Natura 2000 areas of Svenska Högarna hillocks and Svenska Björn
lighthouse, which are situated at a distance of about 27 and 33 kilometres
from the project area respectively.
The Natura 2000 area Svenska Högarna hillocks is a protected area based on
both the Species and Habitat Directive (SCI) and the Bird Directive (SPA).
The protected natural environments are sandbanks, lagoons, reefs, skerries
and small islands in the Baltic Sea, and the identified species are grey seals,
silver tern and large salamanders. The area also has two important colonies
with nesting razorbills and common guillemots. The area is a protected bird
and seal area, and there are periodically bans on accessing the area.
54
The Natura 2000 site Svenska Björn is a designated protected area according
to the Species and Habitat Directive (SCI). The protected natural
environments include reefs, skerries, and small islands in the Baltic Sea and
the identified species are grey seals. The area is almost entirely made up of
the open sea with reefs, and it is also an important location for grey seals,
which can be found in large numbers there. The area is also an important
area for eider ducks, who gather there in large numbers during the summer.
A few kilometres further west is the Natura 2000 area Stora Nassa. It is a
protected area under both the Species and Habitats Directive (SCI) and the
Bird Directive (SPA). The protected natural environments consist of
sandbanks, lagoons, reefs, skerries, and small islands in the Baltic Sea, and
the identified species are least moonwort, grey seals, silver terns, and large
water salamander. The area has a rich bird life with over 50 breeding species
and is very important for migratory and nesting birds. It is the most
important breeding area for the black scoter in the Stockholm archipelago.
The Natura 2000 areas of the Svenska Högarna hillocks and Stora Nassa also
form part of the larger HELCOM and Ramsar area called Stora Nassa-Svenska
Högarna hillocks, which is a wetland area of international importance. The
area is located about 42 kilometres northwest of the project area and is
internationally famous for its magnificent and unspoiled nature and
landscape.
Around 50 kilometres southwest of the project area lies Gotska Sandön
island, with both a National Park and the Natura 2000 area Gotska Sandön-
Salvorev. West of the project area, in the Nämdöskärgården archipelago, is a
national park, which has a planned opening for 2025. The area is located in a
highly diverse and relatively undeveloped part of the Stockholm archipelago.
The proposed national park area, about 41 kilometres west of the project
area, includes the four existing nature reserves: Bullerö island, Långskär
skerry, Långviksskär skerry, and Biskopsö island, which are also part of the
EU network Natura 2000. The investigation area also includes a larger sea
area east of the nature reserves mentioned.
55
Natura 2000 area Svenska Björn
lighthouse
HELCOM/Ramsar-area
Stora Nassa Svenska
Högarna hillocks Nature reserve Svenska Högarna
hillock
Natura 2000 area
Stora Nassa
Natura 2000 area Svenska Högarna
hillocks
Nämdöskärgardens national park
(under formation)
Project area
Nämdöskärgardens national park (under formation)
FIGURE 21 Protected areas with respect
to the adjacent natural environment Natura 2000 areas SCI excluding rivers
Natura 2000 areas Bird Directive SPA
3:6 Nature conservation
Natural monuments point
Natural monuments surface
Protected forested biotope
Protected animal and plant areas
National Park Gotska Nature conservation agreements for forests
Sand Island Nature reserve
National parks
RAMSAR
Marine areas protected by Helcom (MPA)
Key biotopes the National Board of Forestry
Natura 2000 area Gotska
Sand island Salvorev reef Key biotopes large-scale forestry
Objects with natural values
Bog protection plan
Meadow and pasture inventory
Temperate deciduous forest
56 Swedish EEZ border
3.9.2 Life on the sea bottom
A large portion of the project area is situated in deep waters, with depths up
to 180 metres and an average depth of 100 meters. Measurements from the
nearby areas (Station ID BY29/LL19) show a sea water transparency level of
7–18 metres, in an area with a depth of 174–184 metres (SMHI, 2021b).
Large parts of the Baltic Sea bottom are oxygen-free, including around the
project area. Large depth, limited visibility and oxygen-free bottoms create
poor conditions for a lot of life. Plants and animals need oxygen to live, but
microorganisms such as archaea and bacteria can cope with the oxygen-free
and sulphur-rich environment and contribute to the degradation and
metabolism of nutrients (HavsUtsikt, 2008).
Depending on the bottom substrate, construction and excavation may cause
severe turbidity, which may also adversely affect animals and plants during
the construction phase. However, the impact is local and only occurs during
the construction phase. Even an acoustic disturbance may locally affect
bottom-dwelling, or benthic, organisms. Most likely, there are
microorganisms at the bottom of the project area, which are quick to re-
establish themselves. When the foundations are in place, the structures can
function as artificial reefs (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, 2012).
These can be used as substrates for benthic organisms, which can then live
closer to the surface.
Blue mussels are found down to 30–40 metres, although the densities are
often highest at 10–20 metres (Stockholm County Administrative Board,
2016). The shallowest depth of the project area is 47 metres, so the planned
activities should not have a negative impact on blue mussels, or an indirect
impact on species whose diet includes blue mussels, since the depth is
greater than that in the rest of the project area. However, the reef-like
structures of the foundations may allow the establishment of blue mussels in
the area (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2019b). With
expected climate change, the range of the blue mussel is expected to change.
According to the Agency for Marine and Water Management, an area north of
the project area is designated as an important site in the range of the blue
mussel (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2019b).
However, modelling of designated areas is based on the range of the blue
mussel in 2099, which is long after the planned wind power farm's
operational time.
The wind turbines are obstacles to both fishing and birds, which can create
protected environments for both mussels and other benthic organisms.
57
3.9.3 Fish
The Baltic Sea contains around 70 marine fish species and 30–40 freshwater
species of fish. Freshwater fish are mostly found along the coastal areas and
inner archipelagos (Nord Stream 2, 2016). Around 95% of the commercial
fish catch in the Baltic Sea consists of cod, herring, and sprat. The project area
is not identified as either a breeding or spawning area for any of the three
species.
Several fish have an organ, the lateral line, which senses weak electrical
currents and vibrations, and which is used to find food, among other things.
Many cartilaginous fish have a sense, Lorenzini's ampoules, which detect
electrical impulses, which are used to detect prey, and possibly also for
navigation. An electromagnetic field is created around electric cables, which
can affect fish's use of their senses based on electrical signals, and signals
from electrical cables can be confused with game animals (Vindval, 2012).
Cartilaginous fish are thought to be affected by electrical fields with a current
from 0.5 volt per metre and also weak magnetic fields (Swedish National
Environmental Protection Agency, 2001). Eels are particularly sensitive to
electromagnetic fields, and their navigation capacity may be affected
(Vindval, 2012).
Noise can also affect fish, mainly during the construction phase, and both pile
driving and increased boat traffic contribute to acoustic disturbance. It is
primarily the effect of noise on catchment environments for endangered or
weak populations that have negative consequences.
The artificial reef structures created by the foundations of wind turbines can
benefit fish, both by providing structures for them to dwell around and by
allowing benthic organisms on the foundations to feed fish and birds. The
physical exclusion of fishing over a relatively long period of time and the fact
that birds may avoid the wind farm can create protected environments
where benthic organisms and fish, such as the commercial species
herring/sprat and cod, can be given refuge.
The presence of different fish species in the area and how they may be
affected, as well as the measures taken to reduce impacts, will be highlighted
in the EIA.
58
3.9.4 Marine mammals
The marine mammals that can be found in the project area include porpoises,
harbour seals, grey seals, and ringed seals. Several species living in the Baltic
Sea have adapted to the specific conditions of the brackish water there, which
means that many different stocks of Baltic Sea species can be assumed to
constitute unique populations and, in some cases, are assessed separately
(risk of individual species dying out in Sweden) from the species in the rest
of the country.
The porpoise is a species protected by the EU Species and Habitat Directive
(Appendices 2 and 4 of the Directive). There are three genetically different
populations in Swedish waters, and the population in the Baltic Sea is the one
that mainly resides in Baltic Proper, (Benke et al. 2014). The Baltic harbour
porpoise is a very small, isolated population and is classified as Critically
endangered (Swedish Species Information Centre, 2020). The coastal sea and
the sea south of the Öland and Gotland are considered important areas for
porpoises, see Figure 22 (AquaBiota, 2016).
Data from the SAMBAH project, a project that examined the living conditions
of porpoises in parts of the Baltic Sea, have been collected from areas with
only 0–80 metres depth (www.sambah.org). Porpoises have been detected
within two Swedish miles (20 km) of the project area during the SAMBAH
project. However, the project area and its surroundings are not considered to
be a particularly important area, although porpoises are likely to pass
through from time to time.
There are certain times of the year that harbour porpoises are more
vulnerable than others, and times of the year when they are likely to be in
different parts of the sea. Disruptive phases that risk stressing porpoises in
different ways will therefore be scheduled at times of the year when the
disturbance has the least impact. In addition, measures to reduce the impact
in the event that harbour porpoises appear in the area will be presented in
the EIA.
Modelling has been carried out to illustrate the relative presence of grey seals
in the area around the project area, while the harbour seal and the ring seal
are not present (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2018).
The grey seal population is the largest one of Sweden's three seal species
(Sweden's Aquatic Environment, 2021).
Wind power emits acoustic noise that can travel far in the water and may
adversely affect marine mammals. Depending on the distance from the
source of the noise, the impact may involve stress, behavioural changes, and
flight, but also hearing damage in some cases. Porpoises are especially
sensitive to the affect during the calving and mating season, (County
administrative board of Västra Götaland, 2014). Loud underwater noises
occur mainly in connection with piling during the construction phase, see
Section 3.14. There are ongoing developments and attempts to suppress
noise, such as noise curtains, to prevent the noise from being transmitted in
59
the water. The impact of noise during the operating phase is much less than
during construction. The impact during the operating phase is not fully
investigated by the research community.
In terms of continued work on the EIA, in-depth studies will be carried out to
identify the need for measures to protect marine mammals and their habitats
from these impacts.
Important areas for the harbour
porpoise in Swedish waters
North Sea / Baltic Sea
Mar - May / Feb - Apr
Jun - Aug / May - Jul
Sep - Nov / Aug - Oct
Dec - Feb / Nov - Jan
Management threshold for the population in the Danish
Straits
SMBAH Population limit
EEZ
FIGURE 22 Important areas for porpoises in Swedish waters per quarter and full year. To increase
understanding of the figures, the location of the project area has been added to the map
afterwards. Figure Ref: AquaBiota 2016.
60
3.9.5 Birds
Several species living in the Baltic Sea have adapted to the
specific conditions of the brackish sea. Many of the Baltic Sea
stocks can therefore be assumed to be unique populations and
in some cases the red list is assessed separately (risk of
individual species dying out in Sweden) from the species in the
rest of the country.
Different species of birds use different areas of the sea in
different ways. There are often flight paths running over the
sea along the coastline. A well-known migratory path runs
through the Gulf of Finland. Another well-known flight path
goes up through the Gulf of Bothnia. The flight path has a very
wide front and is controlled by the weather. With westerly
winds, the path moves east, and a larger proportion of birds follows the
eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. With winds from the east, the path is pushed
west and follows Sweden's east coast to a larger extent. The migratory paths,
used by ducks, waders, and geese, as well as skuas, terns, seagulls and
possibly even passerines (in special weather conditions) could be affected by
the planned activities.
The offshore banks in the central Baltic Sea, mainly Hoburgs Bank and the
North Sea Bank, south of Gotland, are the areas in the Swedish Exclusive
Economic Zone where a wind turbine expansion could have the greatest
impact on bird populations (Vindval 2012). Some areas are also used as
overwintering areas, such as rest areas during the autumn and spring and as
feeding areas. In particular, the northern part of the project area may be
affected by the fact that certain species, such as the common guillemot and
razorbill, fly out of the coast to search for food (Stockholm County
Administrative Board, 2018). However, the distance from the breeding site
listed in this report is about 19 kilometres, Table 4, and the distance from the
nearest point of land, the Swedish Högarna hillocks, is about 30 kilometres.
The depth to the bottom also gradually increases as you head south in the
project area and its surroundings, making food like mussels less accessible.
Other species can use the project site and its surroundings for resting or for
passing through.
The impact of offshore wind on birds depends on their location and how the
birds use the area. Some species of birds are at risk of colliding with wind
turbines, and many species exhibit avoidance behaviour at wind turbine
farms. Establishing wind turbines can also lead to habitat loss, but the impact
of them depends on how the specific area is used by the birds. With the right
location, the impact of offshore wind power is judged to be less than other
human influences on birds (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water
Management, 2019b).
61
The Baltic Offshore Delta project area is not currently considered to be a core
area for any bird species. In order to obtain a more detailed picture of how
the different bird species use the project area and its surroundings,
inventories need to be created, see Section 5.2. Bird inventories will be
carried out and will form the basis for developing appropriate protective
safeguards in the future environmental impact assessment. Technical
solutions, such as radar, with which the turbine will be shut down in the
event of bird migration paths will be proposed as protective measures if need
be. An in-depth analysis of this will be provided in the EIA.
TABLE 7 The data used in the models for each seabird "Model data diet" refer to the previously developed modelling data for each
type of feed. Source and references: Stockholm County Administrative Board, 2017.
Type Scientific Season Food Model data Dive depth Flight Dominant wind
name diet distance direction
from
breeding
ground
Long-tailed Clangula Winter Mussels, Blue mussel 30 m - -
duck hyemalis saduria (coverage ratio
entomon >50%),
saduria
entomon
(>500 ind./m2)
Eider duck Somateria Breeding Blue mussels Blue mussel 6m - -
mollissima (coverage ratio
>50%)
Black Melanitta Breeding Crustaceans, Soft clams, 9.5 m - -
fusca molluscs Baltic Sea
(infauna) mussel,
saduria
entomon
(>500 ind./m2)
Common Uria aalge Breeding Fish, mainly Pelagic fish Unrestricted. Can dive Average: Calculated from
guillemot sprat (quantity/1000 to >180 m. 13.12 km; SMHI data,
m3) Fish is always available Max: 19.13 measuring station
pelagically and within km at the Svenska
dive depths (Lack of Högarna hillocks
oxygen (April 15 - June 30
>80 m depth) 2016)
Razorbill Alca torda Breeding Fish, mainly Pelagic fish Unrestricted. Can dive Average: Calculated from
sprat (quantity/1000 to > 120 m. 13.12 km; SMHI data,
m3) Fish is usually available Max: 19.13 measuring station
pelagically and within km at the Svenska
dive depths (lack of Högarna hillocks
oxygen (April 15 - June 30
> 80 m depth). 2016)
62
3.9.6 Bats
Bats can fly long distances, and there are descriptions of how the pipistrelle
bats cross the Baltic Sea between the Valsörarna islands in Finland and
Holmögadd lighthouse in Sweden (Västerbotten County Administrative
Board, 2018). Studies in southern Sweden have shown that 11 out of 18
species of bats surveyed flew as far as 14 kilometres out to sea to search for
food (Ahlén et al, 2009). This can be compared to the fact that land (the
Svenska Högarna hillocks and the Svenska Björn lighthouse) is about 16
kilometres from the project area. The height at which the bats fly is usually
less than ten metres above sea level, which means that they would fly under
the rotor blades.
However, as they are hunting, they can quickly change their altitude and thus
are at risk of colliding with the rotor blades.
Bats likely prefer to pass over the sea where the flight path is as close as
possible to the open water (Västerbottom County Administrative Board,
2018). This likely means that any flight paths will pass north of the project
area, above Åland, where the Baltic Sea can be crossed over open water.
In order to investigate the possible migration of bats across the project area,
a desktop study will be conducted within the framework of the EIA, where
previous observations, knowledge and probability are reviewed by an expert
in bats.
63
3.9.7 Species protection
RED LIST
The red list is an account of species' relative risk of dying out from the area covered
by the red list, in our case Sweden. Even common species may become red-listed if
their populations are in severe decline.
The red list is divided into six different categories, each with its commonly used
abbreviation: Lack of knowledge (DD), national extinction (RE), near threatened
(NT), vulnerable (VU), highly threatened (EN) and acutely threatened (CR). Species
in the last three categories are referred to with the common term, “threatened
species.”
The Swedish Red List is produced by the Swedish Species Information Centre
according to international criteria and is revised regularly. The most recent red list
was published in 2020.
SPECIES PROTECTION ORDINANCE
The species protection ordinance is legislation that provides for the conservation
of a number of species and all wild birds, as well as the protection of their
habitats. The Species Protection Ordinance implements the EU Species and
Habitat Directive and the Bird Directive into Swedish legislation. The ordinance
includes two lists of species: Appendix 1 and Appendix 2. In short, all the species
listed are protected, which means that the species listed must not be collected,
damaged, or killed. In addition, for the species listed in Appendix 1, the habitats
of the species are protected and must not be destroyed.
In total, 14% of all 132 fish species present in the Baltic Sea are threatened,
and 22% are red listed, including cod which is deemed vulnerable (VU) and
also included in the IUCN: Global Red List (SLU, 2020a). The population of
harbour porpoises in the Baltic Sea is considered to be under acute threat,
and they are protected throughout Sweden and included in international
conventions or EU directives (SLU, 2020a).
The knowledge of marine invertebrates (spineless animals) needs to be
increased in order to know their status. Today there is not enough knowledge
to be able to make assessments for 172 species. To remedy this, more areas
need to be investigated. At present, 14 species are considered to be critically
endangered, 442 species are designated as Least Concern, and a total of 157
species are somewhere on the scale between those two (SLU, 2020b). One
step to strengthen the viability of marine invertebrates is to protect areas
from bottom trawling and other exploitation and to reduce emissions of both
fertilizers and pollutants.
Inventories will provide knowledge of species covered by the Species
Protection Ordinance, and an impact assessment will be carried out as a basis
for future environmental impact assessments. The study will be based on
knowledge from sources such as the Artportal (Swedish Species Register
Portal), and based on findings made in connection with inventories and other
64
studies. Several red-listed species may be present in or around the project
area, such as porpoises and cod.
Preliminary assessments cannot be made prior to completion of the species
protection study.
3.9.8 Biodiversity and environmental engineering
Loss of biodiversity is an acute crisis that is comparable to the climate crisis.
Biodiversity is shrinking rapidly around the world, and the number of species
on the red list has increased in Sweden. Figures from 2020 show that the
Swedish Species Information Centre has red-listed 21.8 percent (4,746 out of
21,740) of the estimated Swedish species, which is an increase from 19.8
percent in 2015. Climate change is contributing significantly to the loss of
biodiversity. How wind energy contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and
climate change is explained in Section 4.1. In addition to climate change, the
destruction of habitats, the over-exploitation of species, invasive species and
pollution are the greatest threats to biodiversity. Biodiversity is a
prerequisite for the ecological services that we, as humans, depend on for our
well-being and quality of life.
In addition to the fact that wind turbine farms promote biodiversity by
reducing climate change, setting up wind power farms can also help to create
variation in a landscape. Offshore wind turbines can, depending on the
conditions of the specific area, be both positive, negative, or both, and for the
ability of different plants and animals to coexist (Swedish Energy Agency,
2021c). Various proposals for measures that address biodiversity will be
presented in upcoming EIA.
65
3.10 Cultural heritage
Within a radius of 10 kilometres from the project site, there are three historic
cultural remains that are registered in the National Heritage Board’s
database, Figure 22. There is no national interest in terms of the cultural
environment. The three famous historical remains are all shipwrecks that
have not been assessed in terms of their historical value. Since two of the
remains are within the project area, and specifically within the part where
there is a potential for bottom-anchored foundations, it is important to
investigate how these should be avoided during the project. A marine
archaeological investigation will be carried out within the framework of the
EIA. Table 8 shows the Swedish National Heritage Board number and the
approximate size of those remains.
Any findings made during surveying or construction will be reported to the
County Administrative Board, and any structures on the bottom will be
constructed at least 100 metres away from the remains and any new findings.
TABLE 8 Excerpt from the National Heritage Board’s Research database (2019) of known historic
cultural remains within 10 kilometres of the project area.
ID Name Value description Distance from the project area
L1934:3828 No name Shipwreck, Within the project area
approximately 57x21
metres
L1934:3829 No name Shipwreck, 3.5 km
approximately 48x10
metres
L1934:3830 No name Shipwreck, Within the project area
approximately 68x25
metres
66
FIGURE 23 Known historical cultural remains within
and adjacent to the project area
Project area
Possible bottom anchoring
Site of remains
Other site of historic cultural remains
No antiquarian assessment site
Area of the remains
Area of other historic cultural remains
67 Swedish EEZ border
3.11 Outdoor activities and recreation
The impact of a wind turbine farm on outdoor activities and recreation can
consist of physical intrusion and the utilization of areas of great value for
outdoor activities and recreation, as well as changes in the view of the
horizon and a change in the value of the experience in surrounding areas. No
areas within or close to the project area are known as areas of interest for
outdoor activities. A national interest in various outdoor recreation activities
lies about 6.5 kilometres from the western side of the project area, and
further toward the Stockholm archipelago there is an area designated as a
national interest for outdoor activities, see Figure 16. In the framework of
EIA, any impact on these will be investigated together with possible
municipal and regional programmes for outdoor activities.
3.12 Natural resources
Within or near the project area, there are no areas that are identified as
important for natural resources. There are no areas for sand extraction near
the project area according to the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water
Management’s marine plan. (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water
Management, 2019)
3.12.1 Commercial fishing
No designated area for commercial fishing exists within or adjacent to the
project area. The presence of fishing boats in the area is also very limited (AIS-
data, EMODnet, 2021), see Figure 23.
Commercial fishing in the Baltic Sea is carried out over very large areas, and
the areas used generally change over the years and the season (Swedish
Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2019c). Pelagic commercial
fishing, in other words, fishing in open waters, takes place across the entire
North Baltic Sea from the municipality of Värmdö and southward to a smaller
area in the southern Kvarken Strait. In the area, herring and sprat are mainly
fished by trawling (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management,
2019b). Analyses of catch statistics, that is, how much fish are trawled in the
area, will be carried out. Available ICES data (2020) show that fishing around
the project area is mostly done by pelagic trawling and seine fishing, which is
most commonly used to catch herring and sprat. Fixed installations, such as a
wind turbine farm, may inhibit trawling (Swedish Agency for Marine and
Water Management, 2019b).
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Fishing vessel density
hours/km2/month
Project area
National interest commercial
fishing
Sea-level areas in 2020,
Coastal zone average, fishing
vessels
FIGURE 24 Areas of interest for commercial
fishing and the density of the presence of
fishing vessels. The dark blue background is
the sea
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7
0
3.13 Maritime traffic
The Baltic Sea is of great importance to international trade and is therefore
also one of the most congested areas in the world (Swedish Agency for
Marine and Water Management, 2019c). Most of the intensive maritime
traffic that passes by the project area consists of cargo and tanker vessels
that go to ports in the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Bothnia, and the Gulf of Finland
(EMODnet, 2021). The traffic in the area involves international commercial
shipping, which is an important part of the region's maritime transport
system. Passenger ferries between Sweden, Finland and Estonia are also a
major part of the traffic.
The project area partly overlaps with a waterway of national interest for
shipping in the east, see Figure 25. The motivation for this placement is based
on AIS data from 2020. The AIS data shows that the route is very sparingly
used, and that most traffic passes further east.
The project area's current location was chosen after consulting with the
Swedish Maritime Administration to determine the project area that is best
located in relation to the low-use area of national interest in the east and the
high-use shipping routes in the west. This means that actual vessel traffic in
the area is more important for shipping in the area than the designated area
of national interest.
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Proposed division of the area to accommodate maritime
traffic
Since the proposed project area runs for a long distance in a north-south
direction, it needs to be divided into sub-areas in order to accommodate
maritime traffic. The following is an alternative proposal which will be
discussed in consultation with the Swedish Maritime Administration, Figure
26. The main focus of this analysis has been:
• Maintain existing ship routes as far as possible, focusing on actual ship
traffic from AIS data.
• In cases where less-used routes cannot be fully maintained, the
alternative route should involve the minimum adjustment in terms of
increased distance compared with the original route.
• Three roughly equal areas divided according to sea depth, other
impacts and the possibility of creating divisions based on different
installation technologies for wind turbines and foundations.
Figure 26 shows how the alternative planning allows for maritime traffic in
the area. The east-west shipping route that runs through the southern part of
Delta I (blue dotted line) is then allowed to go slightly further south toward
deeper waters. This is to maximize the size of the area that may be built with
bottom-anchored foundations. The small amount of traffic running through
the south-east part of Delta III may have to go slightly further south-east,
represented by the dotted red line.
Using the example 20 MW turbine, see Section 2.4.1, the area of the turbine
layout in this alternative proposal would be reduced to two thirds of the
original total area, while production would be reduced by only six percent.
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Vessel density
hours/km2/month
Example layout of turbines
Project area
National interest in shipping
Existing shipping routes in 2020,
average, all
Planned or future route traffic
FIGURE 25 Map of national interest in
shipping and other modes of
transport and the frequency of vessel
movements in the area. The dark blue
background is the sea
72
Vessel density
hours/km2/month
Example layout of turbines
National interest in shipping
Existing shipping routes
in 2020,
Planned or future route average, all
traffic
Offshore Delta I
40-70 metres depth
Offshore Delta II
70-100 metres
depth
Offshore Delta III
100-160 metres
depth
FIGURE 26 Alternative proposal for the division of the
7
project area for accommodating maritime traffic.
3
Depth in sub-area I 40–70 m; sub-area II 70–100 m;
sub-area III 100–160 m. The blue line shows an
adjustment south of the east-west shipping route
that runs through the southern part of Delta I. The
red line indicates that traffic in the south-east
section of Delta III may need to be move slightly
south-east.
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3.14 Noise
The noise generated by modern wind turbines is essentially an aerodynamic,
swishing sound caused by the passage of the blades through the air. The
noise is determined by the velocity of the blade tip, the blade shape, and the
turbulence in the air. The wind turbines also emit a machine noise that
originates within the nacelle.
There are several calculation models available for calculating wind power
noise. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency recommends either the
Swedish calculation model for wind power or Nord2000. The Swedish
calculation model is relatively simple, while Nord2000 is a much more
advanced calculation model and requires special software.
The preliminary noise emissions from Baltic Offshore Delta have been
analysed with Nord2000 in the WindPRO calculation program. The
calculation is done to illustrate a so-called worst-case scenario with the
lowest possible noise suppression, Appendix 3.
The result from Nord2000 has also been compared with calculations in the
Danish model (Danish Environmental Protection Agency, 2021) that
corresponds to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's model, and
which has been used in offshore mode, where an extra correction for multiple
reflections from the sea surface is also included. When calculating noise
emissions from offshore wind turbines, reduced noise suppression is used,
and a correction for possible reflections from the sea surface is also included.
The correction depends on the frequency and height of the turbine and the
distance above the water. This calculation is also made with the calculation
program WindPRO, Appendix 4.
The results of the Danish calculation model show that, at most, there is a
distance of 2.5 kilometres between the outside wind turbines and the
calculated 40 dB(a) line and 3–4.5 kilometres to the 35 dB(a) line. However,
the results from the Nord2000 calculations show a shorter spread of the
noise, which essentially means that only those who are close to the offshore
wind turbines will hear them, see Figure 27.
A cumulative noise analysis will be carried out below the surface of the sea,
mainly in relation to vessel traffic. It is important to consider that the decibel
scale is logarithmic. For example, this means that 37+37 dB equals 40 dB.
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FIGURE 27 Results of calculations of
noise emissions for the Baltic
Offshore Wind project performed
using the Nord2000 calculation
model.
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3.14.1 Low frequency and infrared noise
Low frequency noise is sound in the frequency range of 20–200 Hertz.
Sounds below 20 Hertz are known as an infrared sound and are usually not
audible but can adversely affect people if the noise level is high enough. The
rotation of the wind turbine causes infrasound that is often around 1 Hertz,
and in that frequency range, a level of about 120 dB is required to have an
impact on humans. (Swedish National Environmental Protection Agency,
2020b).
Low frequency noise generated by offshore wind power is particularly likely
to affect marine mammals and fish, but there is currently no knowledge of the
effects of long-term, continuous low frequency noise (Swedish Agency for
Marine and Water Management, 2019b).
The possible impacts from low frequency noise and ultrasound noise that
may be caused by the project will be reported in the EIA.
3.14.2 Underwater noise
During operation, in addition to noise from the turbines themselves, there is
also noise from service vessels. Disruptive noises can come from propellers
and engines, but also technology that emits sonar and echo-sounder noises
that can primarily affect porpoises (Västra Götaland County Administrative
Board, 2014). The biggest impact of noise from offshore wind power is
generated during the construction phase. Noise may come from ships and
during survey work. However, pile driving, especially in connection with the
construction of monopiles and foundations, produces loud noises that can
travel long distances in the water. The sound produced depends on the
choice of foundation. Foundations with several smaller piles emit less noise
than those consisting of a large pile, and when building foundations that are
buried or drilled down into the bottom, no such noise occurs at all (Swedish
Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2019b). The noise generated
during pile driving risks affecting marine wildlife, especially porpoises. The
impact varies depending on distance from the sound (Västra Götaland County
Administrative Board, 2014). The possible effects of noise from pile driving
are currently not clear (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management,
2015). See also Section 3.9.4 regarding marine mammals.
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To minimize the impact of noise, you can choose foundations that require less
or no pile work at all, gradually increase the force and therefore the sound of
pile driving so that larger animals are scared and able to leave the area, use
noise-reducing devices such as cofferdams (insulating framing) or use
various types of sound-dampening curtains. (Västra Götaland County
Administrative Board, 2014 and Swedish Agency for Marine and Water
Management, 2015).
3.15 Visualisations and visibility analyses
The visual impact on land of the Baltic Offshore Delta has been analysed
using high-resolution photo montages. The photo montages contain
corrections to take into account the effect of reduced visibility at large
distances. The results of the analyses show that from most of the photograph
locations, the wind turbines are hidden by either the horizon or are obscured
by the sea's curvature. Even at photo locations where the turbines are visible
with relatively high magnification, the turbines are relatively difficult to see
at large distances from land. The visibility analyses available to date can be
found in Appendix 5 and via www.njordroffshorewind.eu/pagaende-
projekt/Delta/.
3.16 Shadows
In sunny and clear weather, flickering shadows may occur from the turbine's
rotor blades. The shadows can be seen at a relatively large distance,
depending on the topography of the environment, for a few minutes at times
when the sun is low. Depending on the size and surrounding environment of
the wind turbine, the shadows can be seen up to about two to three
kilometres away. Increased distance will reduce the impact of shadows. At
large distances, shadows are only seen as diffuse changes in the light.
The project area is located in the open sea at a long distance from land, and
therefore only people who are close to the offshore wind power farms will
see the shadows. In the water, the shadow effect only reaches a depth of at
most 18 metres, as the sunrays do not penetrate further (SMHI, 2021b).
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3.17 Risk and safety
Obstacle marking
The regulations and general advice from the Swedish Transport Agency
concerning the marking of objects which may pose a danger to aviation (TFS
2020:88) state that wind turbines higher than 150 metres in a structured
grating with a distance between them of more than 1000 metres need to be
fitted with high-intensity, flashing, white obstruction lights on the nacelle
(machine housing). When the nacelle has a height over 150 metres above
ground or the water surface, the turbine tower should also be marked with
three, low-intensity obstruction lights halfway up the height up to the nacelle.
Since the distance between the wind turbines in Baltic Offshore Delta is
planned to be two kilometres. All the turbines therefore need to be equipped
with flashing, white, obstruction lights on the nacelle and low intensity
obstruction lights halfway up the tower. Since the total height of the wind
turbine exceeds 315 metres above the water surface, additional marking and
lighting may also be required if the Transport Agency requires it.
In addition to flight obstruction lights on the nacelle and in the middle of the
tower, light markings for maritime traffic are also required in accordance
with the Transport Agency's regulations and general recommendations (TFS
2017:66) regarding sea markings using maritime safety devices. In order to
ensure the safety of the facility for shipping, a maritime risk analysis will also
be carried out during the EIA process, see Section 5.2.
Air traffic
The airspace is divided into controlled and uncontrolled air space. In the
controlled airspace, there is an air traffic management system that
communicates with the pilot and directs air traffic. In uncontrolled airspace,
the pilot is responsible for avoiding collisions, but the air navigation service
can provide information (LFV 2021). The project area is located within the
Swedish Flight Information Region (FIR), where Sweden is responsible for its
airspace, but close to the FIR of Finland. This will be monitored in the event
that the project area will be changed.
The project area is not within any MSA areas or areas of national interest for
air traffic.
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Risks of accident
The report of the Swedish Rescue Services Agency regarding new accident
risks in a future energy system (Swedish Rescue Services Agency 2007)
states that wind turbines cannot be classified as hazardous, with the
exception of health and safety risks associated with construction, repair and
service work involving working at heights.
Accidents associated with the operation of the wind turbines are rare. Special
precautions have been prescribed by, among other things, the Swedish Work
Environment Authority.
The project area is located in the Baltic Sea, which is one of the world's
busiest seas (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2019c),
and there is a risk of collisions with ships and boats. Collisions can occur if
the vessels/boats run into or over structures within the wind power farm.
Due to the long distance from land, it may take a long time to obtain
assistance. A risk analysis will be created within the framework of the EIA,
which will, among other things, investigate the risk of collision and what
happens if wind turbines collapse, for example if they sink or fly off. The
emergency and protective measures taken in the event of an accident during
construction will also be reported.
The technologies and measures that will be used to prevent oil spills into the
sea will also be described in the context of the EIA.
Mines and dumped ammunition
In the Baltic Sea, there are areas at risk of the presence of dumped munitions
and the risk of the presence of sunken mines from the World War II (Swedish
Agency for Marine and Water Management, 2019c). To the south of the
project site there is one area and just west of the project site boundary there
are three areas with a low to medium risk for the presence of mines, see
Figure 28. The nearest known area of dumped ammunition is south of
Gotland (EMODnet, 2021). During the continued planning of Baltic Offshore
Delta, exploratory investigations will be conducted to identify possible
munitions and mines within and adjacent to the project area.
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FIGURE 28 Map of areas at risk for sunken mines from
World War II. The scale range is from low (1) to high
(7) risk, but only classes 1–5 are present in the figure.
Project area
80 Swedish EEZ border
Wear and extreme weather conditions
The turbines are normally operating at wind speeds of approximately 4–30
metres per second. A turbulent wind affects the performance and life of wind
turbines. The intensity of turbulence differs from site to site, but generally
the conditions at sea are more favourable (about 8 percent) than over flat
plains (13 percent) or in forests (20 percent) (Petersen et al. 1998). At
higher wind speeds, there is a high degree of stress on the ball bearings of the
wind turbine and the turbines are at risk of being damaged. To reduce the
load, the turbine blades can be angled to allow a higher proportion of wind
energy to pass through. In extreme winds, the rotor can also be temporarily
turned off.
Wind conditions and sea conditions (currents, waves), as well as the
interaction between them, will both be measured and modelled in detail to
ultimately help select the turbines and the design of towers and foundations.
Extreme winds and extreme waves, as well as extreme combinations of loads
between wind and waves, provide the basis for securing the turbine in the
case of extreme design loads. In the case of fatigue loads, this is largely
determined by the turbulence of the air together with the wind distribution,
but also by waves and the interaction with waves. All final designs of the
complete wind farm will be certified and approved.
Fire
Fire can occur in the wind turbine nacelle, and the most common causes are
lightning strikes or electrical failures. In the case of fire, this occurs in
confined spaces, and therefore the risk of fire spreading is small. The turbines
are equipped with a monitoring system that will issue an alarm and shut
down the turbine if the temperature in the turbine becomes too high.
Ice formation and ice load
In cases where water moisture is present in the air, such as fog or low clouds,
if the temperature falls below zero degrees, ice may form on the blades of the
wind turbine. This results in a loss of production, a change in the load on the
turbines and also a risk of ice falling off. In the case of offshore wind, there is
also a potential problem of ice formation on towers and foundations.
Low occurrence of turbine icing is expected for the proposed project.
Calculations based on conditions on land at an altitude of 100 metres show
that all adjacent coastal areas in a normal year have between 0–100 hours of
active icing, that is, time when new ice can form on the wind turbines (Kjeller
Wind Technology 2012). Just over 50 kilometres out of the Baltic Sea, low
temperatures are much less common, which reduces the risk of ice forming
on the rotor blades.
Based on this, the expectation is that the effect of ice on wind turbine power
generation will be negligible. Furthermore, any problems with ice falling
from the turbines will be unusual, but not negligible. The current guidelines
for falling ice states that ice is transported at most 600 metres from an
average turbine with a total height of 330 metres. The large distance between
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the wind turbines in the project area means that it will be possible to travel
through the wind power farm beyond the danger zone.
If need be, safety measures such as warning systems for the presence of
falling ice hazards, can be installed.
The frequency of falling ice and the maximum falling distance will be further
investigated.
Electromagnetic fields
Electromagnetic fields are used as a collective name for electrical and
magnetic fields. They arise, among other things, when electricity is produced,
transported and consumed. The fields are located everywhere in our
environment, e.g. around power lines, transformers and electrical appliances.
Wind turbines themselves do not produce strong electromagnetic fields.
However, transformers and power lines/electrical cables can do so.
All electrical cables generate electromagnetic fields that can affect marine
organisms to varying degrees. The impact depends on the type of cable used,
the amount of electricity transmitted, and the animal involved. The impact
can be minimised as well by taking various protective measures, such as the
use of special cables and digging the cable into the seabed (Swedish Agency
for Marine and Water Management, 2015).
However, electromagnetic fields around electric cables appear to have a
limited impact on fish, especially those using magnetic fields or electricity to
navigate and search for food, such as eels and cartilage (Vindval, 2012).
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3.18 Assembly/construction phase
For an offshore wind power farm, the construction phase includes preparing
for foundations, bottom anchorages and laying cable, as well as the
installation of foundations, wind turbines, substations, and other electrical
infrastructure. Construction work is expected to last at least two years and is
sensitive to adverse weather conditions. Normally, construction and
installation are not carried out in the entire project area at the same time,
rather in stages. During construction, a safety zone is established to protect
the assembly, personnel and third parties.
Different parts of the Baltic Offshore Delta project area have different
technological solutions for anchoring the turbines to the bottom. The
different technologies lead to differences in the construction work and
installation of the turbines. A brief description of this is given below.
Since the project area is extensive, the construction period extends over a
number of years, see Section 5.4. The turbines will be installed by a few
installation vessels simultaneously. This means that a disturbance will occur
locally for a relatively short period of time during the construction process.
Bottom-anchored wind turbines
As described in Section 2.4.2, there are primarily two types of bottom-
anchored foundations for Baltic Offshore Delta, based on current technology.
Today's monopile and gravitational foundations are not currently considered
appropriate at sea depths of 60 metres and more. The remaining options
with today's technology are Jacket Foundations and Tripod technology.
Monopile technology may become appropriate if technology for deeper
foundations is developed.
Jacket foundations and tripod foundations are available in different designs,
but mounting them to the bottom is usually done with either suction
pipe/anchor (a technique based on a created vacuum in the mounting tube
by pumping out the water) or steel pipes that are pile driven or drilled into
the seabed. The choice of technology depends on the seabed conditions at the
site.
Both types of foundation are assembled on land and transported to the
project area by boat. At the site, the structures are lowered to the sea bottom
with a crane and secured using one of the techniques above. Depending on
the conditions and the design of the foundation, erosion protection can be
provided either before or after installation of the foundation. Erosion
protection is used to prevent the bottom around the foundation from eroding
and undermining the anchoring. The corrosion protectors usually consist of a
lower layer of gravel and an upper layer of mixed-size rock.
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The most common construction method for installing deep-water offshore
wind turbines is transporting the main components (tower, nacelle, and
composite rotor) to the site by barge and assembling the turbine on site
using cranes.
Floating turbine
The floating technology, on the other hand, enables almost all of the assembly
to be carried out on land. The foundations and wind turbines are assembled
in port and then towed floating to the project area where they are connected
to the prepared anchoring lines to the bottom.
Offshore substation (OSS)
An OSS (offshore sub-station) is normally installed on its foundation by
means of a crane vessel. Depending on how the OSS and its foundation are
designed, they can also be floated out or installed using other lifting methods,
for example, with their own outriggers.
Internal cable network and connection cables
The internal cable network and connection cables for the wind turbine farm
are laid using cable vessels. If protection is needed, for e.g. anchoring, cables
can be coiled, ploughed into or buried in the seabed, normally to a depth of
approximately 1.5 metres. Coiling is usually applied for softer bottoms, while
ploughing and digging is used with harder bottoms. The final depth depends
on the geological conditions and the level of protection desired. Where
geological conditions do not allow cables to be placed in the seabed, they can
be protected by covering them with, for example, stone or placing them in
pipes. If a cable needs to cross another cable, the cables are usually protected
by concrete carpets or stone.
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3.19 Operating phase
Both wind turbines and offshore substations are unmanned and monitored
remotely during normal operations. However, the wind power farm is
continuously maintained, which requires personnel and materials to be
transported to the wind turbines by small service boats, ships, or helicopters.
An office for personnel, equipment and equipment storage will be established
on land near the wind farm.
For more extensive operations, such as replacement of major components, a
support gas carrier, a floating crane, or equivalent may be used. Cables are
inspected if necessary to ensure, for example, that the cable guards at the
base of each wind turbine are intact. In the event of cable damage, this is
repaired by lifting the relevant cable section by a cable-boat for repair, after
which the cable is placed back in the seabed. To protect the cables from
damage, it is inappropriate to run bottom trawls and anchor them across
other connecting cables inside the wind farm.
3.20 Dismantling and decommissioning
The expected lifetime for an offshore wind farm is between 30 and 35 years.
After that, the wind farm will be decommissioned, and the area restored. In
the event of decommissioning, wind turbines, any floating foundations and
substations will be dismantled and transported away from the site.
In some cases, it may be beneficial to leave foundations, bottom attachment
assemblies and cables laid on the bottom as artificial reefs (Andersson and
Öhman 2010). If, in consultation with the relevant authorities, this is deemed
inappropriate for the project area, foundations and other underwater
components will also be removed from the site, and the site will be restored
in accordance with the requirements of the authorities at the time of
decommissioning.
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4. CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
The concept of sustainable development was created by the United Nations World
Commission on Environment and Development and is defined as “a development
that meets today's needs without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to
meet their needs” (Brundtland Commission, 1987). This chapter gives a brief
description of the objectives which underpin the environmental considerations
pursued in achieving sustainable development. The next EIA will analyse how well
the planned wind power farm is in line with the global goals, environmental targets,
reduced emissions and increased production of renewable energy.
4.1 Climate and renewable energy
In 2015, the countries of the world agreed on a new climate agreement, the
Paris Agreement, which is a legally binding international agreement ratified
by Sweden in 2016. In the Paris Agreement, the EU is a party, which means
that the EU is submitting a jointly agreed climate plan that all EU member
states support. Sweden's long-term goal of zero net greenhouse gas
emissions into the atmosphere by 2045 and the goal of fully renewable
electricity generation by 2040 is linked to the Paris Agreement. The
government has stated that a major expansion of wind power is likely to be a
prerequisite for Sweden being able to meet its targets for net zero emissions
and renewable electricity generation. The national strategy for sustainable
wind power development assumes the total expansion of national wind
power needed by 2040 to be at least 100 TWh, of which about 80 TWh is
land-based and the remainder offshore (Swedish Energy Agency 2021). The
strategy assigns the various county councils in Sweden the task of producing
regional planning data for wind power and proposes distributing the need for
expansion between the counties.
The latest report (August 9, 2021) by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate change (IPCC) is unambiguous and is based on observations of actual
development, not only on modelling (IPCC 2021). The climate situation is
acute and the increase in global average temperatures is a clear effect of
human greenhouse gas emissions.
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We are in danger of passing the target of limiting the global temperature
increase to 1.5 degrees, within 10–20 years. Climate change is taking place
here and now, and the recent increases in extreme weather in the form of
drought, forest fires, and floods will become even more extreme and
frequent. Climate change must be addressed as a direct threat to life on earth.
Huge reductions in emissions are required and required quickly.
Sweden is part of the common northern European electrical system in which
the share of electricity production from fossil fuels is still high. Considering
our closest EU neighbouring countries, with whom we are directly linked,
fossil-based electricity production amounted to just over 50% of total
electricity production. Increased wind power production in Sweden, with
increased electricity exports, will replace fossil-based electricity production
from coal and gas power plants in Europe, which provides considerable
climate benefits.
There is currently an imbalance in the electrical system in Sweden; where
there is high electricity production and relatively low consumption in
northern Sweden, but low electricity production and high consumption in
southern Sweden. There is also an increased demand for renewable
electricity as the industrial and transport sectors are working to transform
themselves and become fossil-free, but also for new electricity-intensive
industries such as data halls.
The use of fossil-free energy, and thus the reduction of carbon dioxide
emissions, has a major positive impact on the sea. High levels of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere lead to acidification of the sea when carbon
dioxide in the air is dissolved in sea water. Acidification of the seas has major
negative consequences for life in the sea, including lime becoming less
soluble, hence a reduction in the availability of lime for animals and plants to
use for their shells and bones. Warmer sea temperatures cause the sea level
to rise, affecting the seabed and the animals and plants living there. Warmer
water also means that invasive species can be more easily established, while
species adapted to the current climate need to migrate north, to colder water,
or die.
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4.2 The global sustainable development goals
The global sustainable development goals have been developed by UN
member states and the system consists of 17 goals, see Figure 29. These
targets aim to achieve four main objectives by 2030 (www.globalamalen.se).
The four objectives are to
• eliminate extreme poverty
• reduce inequalities and injustice in the world
• promote peace and justice
• solve the climate crisis.
The 17 goals are linked to global development, which includes everything
from how marine resources are to be used, to how cities are built, and what
consumption patterns need to look like in order for us to achieve sustainable
development. Of the 17 goals, 9 can be linked to wind power, as shown in
Table 9. The connection can be that wind power can help achieve these goals,
but also that they are something to consider during construction so as not to
work against the goals.
FIGURE 29 The global sustainable development goals (www.globalamalen.se).
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TABLE 9. The link between global sustainable development goals and the establishment of wind
power.
Goal Focus Connection to wind power establishment
No.
Goal Good health and A general goal involving all aspects of sustainable development for all ages. Specifically for wind
No. 3 well-being power, the connection is mainly to psychosocial health (involving everything between potential
perceived disturbance to one’s living environment, to a feeling of hope for the future as a result of
increased renewable energy), as well as a reduced risk of death associated with chemical
discharges and other pollution of soil, water and other habitats.
Goal Clean water and The link to Goal No. 6 is to ensure drinking water for everyone and to protect water-related
No. 6 sanitation for ecosystems. When setting up wind power facilities, it is important to take sufficient consideration
everyone that this goal is not being counteracted.
Goal Sustainable energy Goal 7 aims, among other things, to increase the share of renewable energy in the world. Wind
No. 7 for all power plays a central role in this expansion, together with other renewable energy sources. The
more general goal also focuses on the availability of clean energy for everyone.
Goal Sustainable Goal 9 highlights the safety and stability of road networks, mobile technology, and electricity
No. 9 industry, networks, among others. To create a sustainable industrial sector, renewable energy is also
innovation, and needed. Wind power generation can be a positive contribution to this.
infrastructure
Goal Sustainable cities Sustainable urban development means, among other things, electrifying transport to a greater
No. 11 and communities degree. This requires environmentally sound and sustainably produced electricity, and wind power
can help with this.
This goal also includes the protection of the natural and cultural heritage, which in some cases
concerns areas where wind power is established. In addition, the development of wind power
technology helps to enable wind power development in more countries and cities. The need for
renewable energy is high in cities worldwide.
Goal Sustainable Goal 12 is about how to use and manage the natural resources available with regard to the
No. 12 consumption and environment, society, and the economy. Wind is a renewable resource that should be used
production efficiently, and the location where wind power set up should also be evaluated based on these
aspects. The goal also deals with responsible management of chemicals and waste and reducing
the amount of waste. In both the construction, operation and decommissioning of wind power, it
is important to manage chemicals and waste in a resource-efficient and responsible manner, and
to ensure that as much as possible of the materials used can be recycled.
Goal Combating climate The objective of goal 13 is to mitigate climate change. The focus is foremost on the need to be
No. 13 change prepared for a changing climate. This goal also includes the Paris Agreement on the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions and that global warming should not exceed 2 degrees.
Goal Ecosystems and Goal 15 deals with the sustainable use of ecosystems, among other things. The establishment of
No. 15 biodiversity wind power must take into account the ecosystems and biodiversity in the area and the
cumulative effects of setting up wind power farms in order not to work against the goal.
Goal Implementation Goal 17 is a general objective of global solidarity. The fact that the wind power industry is being
No. 17 and global driven forward (both in terms of technical and scientific capacity) can contribute to the
partnership development of the global market and promote wind power globally.
89
4.3 The Swedish environmental objectives system
Sweden's environmental objectives system consists of one generational goal,
16 environmental quality goals, and 17 intermediate goals
(www.miljomal.nu). The environmental objectives system defines how
Sweden should proceed in order to achieve the ecological aspects of the
global sustainable development goals.
The aim of the environmental objectives system is to guide the work of
sustainable development and to act as a guide for all Swedish environmental
work, regardless of where and by whom it is conducted. The installation of
wind power directly and indirectly contributes to achieving the
environmental quality goal of limiting the impact on the climate, while at the
same time not preventing the achievement of other environmental quality
goals. However, in order for wind power to be consistent with the
environmental quality goals, the location and design of the planned activities
need to be taken into account. Wind power is primarily concerned with the
objectives of limiting impacts on the climate, creating a non-toxic
environment with healthy seas, living coasts and archipelagos, as well as a
rich flora and fauna. Which of the goals are involved and whether the impact
is positive or negative depends on location, considerations, and other factors.
The other goals have no clear connection to expanding wind power capacity
if it is carried out according to established methods.
90
5. FURTHER WORK
This chapter provides a brief description of how future environmental assessment
work is structured, what underlying studies are planned and what the timetable for
the project will look like.
5.1 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
After the consultation procedure has been completed, an EIA will be
prepared. An EIA is a central document included with the permit application.
The purpose of the EIA is to lay out the environmental considerations when
planning operations and to form the basis for decision-making by the
approving authority.
An EIA will identify and describe the direct and indirect environmental
impacts on human health and the environment and enable an overall
assessment of the consequences of the planned activities.
Content and scope of future EIA
It is recommended that the future EIA follow the same approach as this
consultation document. However, the focus will be on clarifying and
providing a deeper analysis of the environmental impacts of the planned
activities and highlighting the significant environmental effects of them.
The EIA will also describe the security measures taken during the project and
which one are intended to be taken during construction, operation and
decommissioning in order to avoid, minimise, restore, and compensate for
adverse environmental effects. Based on the information available at this
stage, we assess whether there are significant environmental effects on:
• Natural environment - negative for birds, marine mammals, and bats
• Natural environment – positive for certain species such as bottom-
dwelling organisms, fish, and some seabirds linked to "artificial reef
formation" and reduced disruptions from trawling and shipping traffic
• Sound/noise and turbidity in the water
• Shipping - with regard to occupying maritime areas
• Climate – positive effect of renewable energy production in a region
with greater demand than current production
In the ongoing EIA work, these issues will be investigated and described in
more detail.
The results of the studies that will be carried out at various stages of the
project's implementation should be able to contribute to increasing
knowledge of the conditions in the field for the majority of the factors to be
analysed.
91
5.2 Planned studies until the environmental
permit is issued
A number of surveys and investigations will be carried out within the
framework of the EIA. The results will form the basis for the layout of the
wind power farm in the application, since the location of the wind power
turbines and the internal electrical and communication networks will be
adapted as far as possible to the identified circumstances in order to
minimise negative impacts. The following inventories and investigations have
or will be carried out:
Seabed and water surveys
In order to be able to assess the environment on the seabed for the EIA, a
number of different bottom samples will be taken from the area. The planned
studies are aimed at analysing the infauna (bottom-dwelling animals that are
buried in the seabed) and epiphauna (bottom-dwelling animals that live on
top of the seabed), as well as the grain size and composition of the bottom
substrate. This is complemented by video-based investigations using drop-
down video (DDV). Samples of sediment are taken using a clamshell bucket,
and infauna samples are taken using cylinder samplers, for example "Haps-
corer".
In addition, the oxygen content at the bottom will be measured and model
data for sea currents and salinity in the area will be generated.
Any findings, cultural objects, mines, or other items, will be reported to the
relevant authorities.
Permits for surveys of the seabed require separate applications, see Table 1.
92
Natural and cultural values
Infauna samples are taken to survey the fauna on the bottom and in the
bottom. Using sediment samples, the grain size, composition, and oxygen
content of the bottom substrate can be determined. This can in turn be used
to assess the opportunities for maintaining life, the possible risk of spreading
environmental toxins, and later provide input for calibration of geophysical
mapping.
• Fish and invertebrates
• Bottom surveys of bottom fauna, but also any bottom flora
• Marine mammals: Initial desktop study to clarify the importance of the
area in relation to primarily porpoises and grey seals, and to investigate
the need for conducting surveys of marine mammals
• Birds: Surveys will be carried out in different seasons depending on the
life patterns of the species concerned. The density can be determined by
plane, boat, or gps.
• Bats: A desktop study will be conducted where previous observations,
knowledge and probability are reviewed for any migration across the
project area.
• Species protection: investigation of protection for relevant species
• Marine archaeological investigation
Visualisations, measurements, and modelling
• Synthesis analysis
• Photo montage
• Obstacle light animation
• Sound calculation
• Sound calculations, including the diffusion of low frequency sounds
below the surface of the water
• Cumulative effects of the project combined with other influences from,
for example, other wind power farms and shipping
• Analysis of possible combined effects, which could be affected by the
wind farm, with regard to changes in water circulation, oxygen content
and eutrophication
93
Maritime traffic
An analysis of shipping-related risks will be conducted based on the location
of the area from a maritime perspective. The impacts on maritime trade, risks
and appropriate security measures will be analysed and evaluated in depth,
mainly in terms of the risk of disruption to ships’ navigation equipment, the
risk of collision, the need for safe distances between the wind farm and
nearby shipping routes, changes in maritime traffic patterns due to the wind
farm, the need to change, move, establish maritime safety devices in the area;
risks and measures relating to the construction and decommissioning phase,
conditions in the event of marine and environmental recovery efforts, and
marking the wind farm for maritime traffic in accordance with the
regulations and general recommendations of the Swedish Transport Agency
(TFS 2017:66) regarding maritime safety devices at sea. Cumulative effects in
relation to other offshore wind farms (existing or planned) in the immediate
vicinity will also be taken into account.
National defence interests
A study of the co-existence between the project and national defence, mainly
based on the national interest of Swedish national defence, has been initiated
in dialogue with the Swedish Armed Forces.
Electrical connection and internal grid
An application for the electrical connection has been submitted to the
Swedish National Grid, who conducts a preliminary study on connection
options. As soon as advance notice is provided regarding the appropriate
point of connection, an agreement of understanding and technical feasibility
study will be initiated. The electrical connection will likely include cable
routing to a land-based substation. This will be investigated in a separate
consultation process and permit application.
Any impact on plant and animal life from internal grid and substations, both
during the construction phase and operation, will be analysed and clarified in
the EIA and form part of the risk and vulnerability analysis in the event of
accidents or sabotage.
94
5.3 Planned studies according to given
environmental permit
Wind measurement
On-site wind conditions will be investigated by constructing one or more
measuring masts or alternatively using laser-based equipment (LI- DAR) to
increase the accuracy of production and load calculations.
Seabed surveys
Based on the results of surveys performed on the seabed prior to submitting
the application, further studies will be required after an environmental
permit is provided for the final design of foundations and fastening
installations. The scope of these will depend on the results of the studies and
choice of technology for creating foundations and anchoring the wind
turbines.
Based on the permit, the planned turbine locations and corridors for internal
cable networks will be investigated in more detail in terms of geophysics and
geoengineering. Geophysical surveys will be conducted to identify potential
obstacles and evaluate the seabed in the layout area. The studies will be
carried out using echo sounder and sonar equipment. In addition, seismic
surveys will be carried out to gain more knowledge of what is beneath the
surface of the seabed. Finally, geotechnical drilling samples at the relevant
turbine positions may be performed.
At this stage, a detailed analysis of the presence of undetonated munitions
(UXO) will also be carried out to ensure the safety of future construction
work around the turbine locations. The investigation is conducted using
magnetometers and will be performed in detail before any work is carried
out on the sea bottom. The results of the investigation will be reported to the
relevant authorities.
In parallel with the geophysical survey, a marine archaeological survey of
potential turbine positions and cable corridors will also be conducted. The
discovery of marine archaeological findings will be reported to the relevant
authorities, and no construction activity will take place closer than 100
metres from any findings.
In order to avoid disturbing porpoises and other marine mammals prior to
the seabed surveys, Passive-Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), which listens with
four hydrophones installed on a work vessel will be performed. When it is
ensured that there are no porpoises or other mammals in the area, the
bottom survey instruments are launched with soft start to keep any marine
mammals at a distance before switching to more disturbing frequencies.
High amplitude sound pulses used by sub-bottom profiles such as Innomars
SBP (Innomar, 2016) may affect the hearing ability of marine mammals. The
sound pressure level (SPL), sound exposure level (SEL) and the volume
where these measurements exceed certain limits must be taken into account
95
for the risk assessment. Due to the short sound pulses that are commonly
used and the high-directional sound pulse transmission for parametric sub-
bottom profiles, the risk of impacting marine mammals is much lower than
when using conventional (linear) acoustics such as a boomer, sparker, chirp
systems or seismic equipment such as air guns. For Innomars SBP, it can be
concluded that the SPL/SEL generated will not exceed any known limit for
temporary hearing disturbance (TTS) at a horizontal distance of more than
20 metres around the sensor. Although it is unlikely that a mammal will be
near the vessel when SBP is switched on, it will end up outside the affected
region in a very short time. For this reason, parametric subbottom profiles
like Innomars SBP have been selected as the preferred method.
96
5.4 Preliminary schedule and implementation
The timeline for realizing Baltic Offshore Delta is estimated to be roughly ten
years. An overall distribution between different project phases up until
construction is provided in Figure 30 below.
The goal is for Njordr Offshore Wind AB to submit a permit application in
accordance with the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone Act and the
Continental Shelf Act for the construction and operation of the planned wind
power farm in 2023.
The in-depth investigations listed above take place during 2022–2026, which
will form the basis for the layout of the planned wind power farm. The
investigations in their entirety will be attached to the prepared EIA.
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031
2032
Consultation under the
Swedish Environmental
Code
Permit process and
investigations
Design, procurement,
and financing
Building
network connection
Construction of wind power
farm
FIGURE 30 Schedule for the permit process, studies, and implementation.
97
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106
Appendix 1.
TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
To make it easier for the reader, we have here compiled specific terms and
definitions that we use when describing the planned activities and when describing
the project's conditions and expected environmental effects.
TABLE 10 Definitions of abbreviations used in the document:
Term Definition/explanation
Power The speed of energy conversion. Production capacity is measured in
kilowatts (kW) and its multiples:
1 000 kW = 1 megawatt (MW)
1 000 MW = 1 gigawatt (GW)
1 000 GW = 1 terawatt (TW)
Energy The product of power and time. Produced energy is
measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) and its multiples:
1 000 kWh = 1 megawatt hour (MWh)
1 000 MWh = 1 gigawatt hour (GWh)
1 000 GWh = 1 terawatt hour (TWh)
Associated A collective name for the activities required by the wind turbines: Internal
activity(s) electrical lines within the wind turbine farm, electricity connections to
land, piling and building foundations, and ship transportation of parts to
the wind power farms.
Environmental According to the Swedish Environmental Code, Section 6. 2, the impact on
effects human health, the environment, and more. For a more detailed
explanation can be found in Section 1.2 Current Legislation.
Environmental A document attached to the permit application. The document shall
Impact describe the direct and indirect environmental effects on human health
Assessment and the environment and enable an overall assessment of the
(EIA) consequences arising from the planned activities.
Project The area in which the wind power contractor has estimated that the
area project of constructing wind turbines will take place.
Consultation A document containing information on the planned project, and on an
document overall basis, describes the environmental effects that the planned
activities are deemed to have.
Precautions The measures taken to avoid, minimise, restore, and compensate for
adverse environmental effects.
Total height The turbine hub height (tower height) plus the length of the rotor blade,
i.e. the turbine height up to the blade tip when the blade tip is at the top.
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APPENDIX 2. CONSULTATION CIRCLE
Obstacle test
The following organisations have been sent an inquiry with an obstacle test
for the Baltic Offshore Delta project.
• The Swedish Armed Forces
• Swedish Civil Aviation Administration
• Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
• Swedish Maritime Administration
• Swedish Transport Administration
• Swedish Transport Agency
• Arlanda Airport
• Bromma Airport
• Hi3G access AB (Tre)
• Post and Telecom Board
• Tele2
• Telenor
• TeliaSonera AB (Telia Company)
• Teracom AB
Proposal for a consultation circle
The suggested consultation circle consists of:
• Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning (Boverket)
• Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate
• Swedish Energy Agency
• Greenpeace
• Haninge Municipality
• Marine and Coastal Fishermen's Organisation
Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management
• Swedish Institute for the Marine Environment
• Swedish Board of Agriculture
• Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency
• Royal Swedish Sailing Society (KSSS)
• Swedish Coast Guard
• County Administrative Board of Gotland County
• Stockholm County Administrative Board
• Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)
• Swedish Museum of Natural History
• Society for Nature Conservation Stockholm
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• Swedish National Environmental Protection Agency
• Northstream
• Norrtälje municipality
• Region Stockholm
• Swedish National Heritage Board
• Swedish Maritime Administration
• Stockholm County Archipelago Foundation
• SLU Aqua
• Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)
• State maritime and transport history museums
• Swedish Anglers Association
• Ports of Stockholm
• Stockholm Chamber of Commerce
• Stockholm Ornithological Society
• Swedish Boaters Union
• Swedish National Grid
• Swedish Cruising Association
• Swedish Society for Nature Conservation
• Swedish Fish Producers Organisation (SFPO)
• Geological Survey of Sweden
• Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SIG)
• Swedish Fish Producers Organisation (SFPO)
• Swedish Ornithological Society (Birdlife Sweden)
• Swedish Pelagic Federation
• Swedish Confederation of Transport Enterprises
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
• The Municipality of Värmdö
• World Maritime University
• The municipality of Österåkers
International
• All the countries concerned based on the Espoo Convention
109
APPENDIX 3. NOISE CALCULATIONS NORD
2000
Separate report
110
APPENDIX 4. NOISE CALCULATIONS (DANISH
MODEL)
Separate report
111
APPENDIX 5. PHOTO MONTAGE
Separate report
112
113
On behalf of
114