Impact on seabirds of new offshore wind energy test and demonstration projects in the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP, N. Spain)

Bald, J.; Franco, J.; Menchaca, I.; Torre-Enciso, Y.; Marina, D. (2017). Impact on seabirds of new offshore wind energy test and demonstration projects in the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP, N. Spain) [Presentation]. Presented at 3rd Bilbao Marine Energy Week 2017, Bilbao, Spain.

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Abstract

Promoted by the Basque Energy Board (EVE) , BiMEP represents an offshore test site for the demonstration of wave energy converters (WEC) in Armintza (Bizkaia, Basque Country, Northern Spain). Recent developments have promoted the interest of BiMEP facilities for the testing and demonstration of offshore wind developments as well, allowing the installation of a maximum of 2 offshore floating wind mills of 5 MW each (physical dimensions showed in the picture on the left). Consequently, new and different environmental impacts from the original projects are expected. Among others, an impact over seabirds was foreseen taking into account that BiMEP project is inside an Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds declared under the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC), the ES0000490 Mundaka - Cabo de Ogoño Special Bird Protection Area .