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Kentish Flats Radar StudyExamining the effect of offshore wind farms on radar navigation
The Kentish Flats Radar Study is a study into the effects of offshore wind farms on maritime radar. It represents a coming together of the offshore wind industry with different government departments, together with shipping and navigation organisations to examine this issue. The study was first proposed by NOREL, the government's maritime navigation and offshore renewables group. The group felt that with the consent of the larger, round 2 offshore wind farms, clarity was required on how the farms affected navigational radar. A steering group was set up to oversee the project. Its members included the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) and Port of London Authority (PLA). The group contracted Marico Marine Ltd to collect the survey data. Funding for the study came from all round 2 offshore wind farm developers by way of an equal contribution from each project. The Kentish Flats Wind Farm was chosen for the survey due to its proximity to major shipping routes coming both into and leaving London. Between the 30th April and the 27th June 2006 Marico performed 56 transits of the farm and used a broad range of radar recording and vessel types. This included using the marine survey vessel Morven. Marico also spoke to pilots, masters, mariners, PEC holders, navigating officers and developers to gain information and comments. They collaborated with the PLA, the Medway Port Authority and Vestas on data gathering. This study is the conclusion of this work. It has the approval of the steering group and has been peer reviewed. 
In front of the survey ship, Morven, from left to right:
The study provides valuable information about navigating near offshore wind farms. The large amount of data gathered during this work will inform further studies on mitigation of these effects in due course. As part of the joint approach to this study the Minister of State for Transport, Dr Stephen Ladyman MP, joined BWEA, DTI and PLA representatives on MORVEN as it conducted trials around Kentish Flats Wind Farm (see right). BWEA would like to thank everyone who contributed. Click here to download the published version of the final report. The annexes can be downloaded below.
For more information on this work or offshore renewables in general please go to www.bwea.com/offshore or contact: Michael Hay
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