Abstract
Concerns and questions have been raised by the public regarding electric transmission cables making landfall from offshore wind farms and the electromagnetic frequencies associated with the transport of electricity through the onshore cables. Specifically, if frequencies from cables are dangerous to people using the beach and other public spaces, especially for those individuals with implanted pacemakers and/or implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
Electromagnetic frequencies are present continually throughout daily life, from the Earth’s geomagnetic force to non-ionizing radiation from radio waves and cell phones. Electromagnetic frequencies are also emitted from appliances, electronic devices, and transmission lines which are commonly found throughout our environment. Common electronics, the Earth’s geomagnetic radiation, and transmission lines are generally proven safe with appropriate distance from the source. This paper provides a high-level overview of electricity, electrical transmission, electromagnetic frequencies associated with electrical transmission, how electromagnetic frequencies affect humans, and the electromagnetic frequencies present with offshore wind energy transmission.
This paper was revised in April 2023, to add milligauss measurements for magnetic fields and to include modeled measurements of magnetic fields for additional onshore cable infrastructure, joint bays and duct banks.