Rampion Offshore Wind

Rampion has had ongoing engagement with commercial fisherman and charter boat owners since the early days of the project. Prior to construction, Rampion held an event for sea users to present information about the construction program and activity. An offshore fishing liaison officer was on board construction vessels throughout the works.

Working with ecology consultants for nearly four years, surveys of the natural habitats were carried out along the whole proposed onshore cable route and substation. By identifying the flora and fauna that could be affected by construction work, Rampion was able to put plans in place to protect it, as part of its Ecology and Landscape Management Plan. The surveys found areas of Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat, including chalk grassland, so to minimize the impact of construction special construction methods in these places were used.

Although there are several seabird species along the South Coast, an assessment of the potential impacts to birds by ornithological experts determined that the presence of the wind farm would not result in any significant impacts to birds in the area.

Prior to construction, surveys of birds, fish and shellfish, benthic and marine mammals were undertaken to identify the use of the area by marine life.

It was found that the Black Bream spawning at the Kingmere Reef Marine Conservation Zone were particularly sensitive to noise during foundation piling, and therefore the piling activities during the most sensitive breeding season (from April to July) were stopped.