Offshore wind firms told WWII bomb disposals must be 'quiet'

---

The UK government has mandated offshore energy companies to steer clear of using “noisy” explosives while disposing of unexploded bombs on the sea floor. This decision aims to safeguard vulnerable marine life from the harmful effects of explosive blasts used to clear the sea bed. There are still over 300,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance from the First and Second World Wars in the UK waters, and they have to be cleared before several wind projects can proceed.

Emma Hardy, the Marine Minister, stated that the industry must resort to alternative methods rather than “high-order” detonations, which should be a last resort. Large explosive blasts can harm and even kill sea creatures like whales, dolphins, and other marine animals, and excessive noise can affect their behavior. The government is collaborating with Crown Estate and staff from exploding and offshore wind industries to develop and test new and quieter technologies for bomb clearance.

The government is glad that these regulations will enable the construction of additional offshore wind farms while safeguarding susceptible animals. The government requires offshore wind energy to decarbonize the country’s energy grid by 2030 under its Plan for Growth. Joanna Lumley, Stop Sea Blasts campaigner, was “thrilled to the core” by the announcement to shield the nation’s “unbelievably precious seas.” Lumley praised the government and industry participants for uniting to replace high-order detonation, wiping out its damaging effects from history books.

The adoption of the new measures marks a significant step forward in embracing technology and innovations while re-evaluating the ways things were typically done. This decision represents significant progress in this vital field, indicating that the government and industry participants will continue to pursue similar opportunities that benefit the environment and culture in the future

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

---