The UK government has introduced new measures to minimize harmful underwater noise during the development of offshore wind farms and other projects.
These steps are part of the government’s Plan for Change, launched in December 2024 under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Developers are now required to adopt low-noise methods when clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the seabed. High-order detonations, which create loud underwater blasts, will be allowed only in exceptional cases.
Developers must also make efforts to reduce noise levels during the installation of wind turbines. The government also plans to hold public consultations to establish future noise limits for offshore wind construction.
Marine Minister Emma Hardy discussed the importance of balancing renewable energy goals with environmental protection. She said the measures will support the expansion of offshore wind while ensuring that vulnerable sea animals are also protected.
Unexploded ordnance from World Wars I and II remains a major challenge for offshore projects. According to government reports, over 300,000 pieces of UXO remain on the UK seabed, with some estimates as high as 500,000.
These explosives must be safely removed before construction can proceed.
In 2023, more than 70 unexploded munitions were found during surveys for the Moray West wind farm project in the Scottish North Sea. Last week, Shell reported finding an unexploded bomb near one of its gas pipelines, about 40 miles east of Shetland.
Dame Joanna Lumley, a British actress and activist, has been a vocal critic of traditional methods for UXO disposal. Leading the Stop Sea Blasts campaign, she has argued for the adoption of modern, less harmful techniques.
She added that outdated methods from World War II are still being used to clear underwater munitions, causing unnecessary harm to marine ecosystems.
The government is collaborating with The Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Evidence and Change program and experts from the offshore wind and explosives industries to tackle these issues.
Together, they are testing quieter technologies for clearing ordnance and piloting noise limits to reduce the impact on marine life.
The Plan for Change also aims to fast-track the delivery of clean power systems by 2030.
“These new measures are a sensible approach to balancing the need for renewable energy with protecting our oceans,” said Hardy.
Reference: Global Regulatory Insights