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Offshore Wind and Wildlife

Maine has some of the highest potential for offshore wind development in the U.S., based on current offshore wind energy maps. Offshore wind is very likely to play a role in Maine’s energy future, though the impacts of offshore wind on wildlife have not been studied as much as land based wind. Evaluations into the potential for offshore wind energy development and its impacts on wildlife and habitats are only just beginning.

The University of Maine is taking the lead on supporting and researching the development of offshore wind in Maine. The majority of viable offshore wind energy is in water deeper than 60m, at which point floating turbines must be used instead of point fixed base turbines. The technology for these floating turbines is currently being tested in Maine waters, but we may still be years away from building commercially viable floating offshore wind facilities.

New research is required on these technologies to tap into this rich resource and to understand its impact on coastal and marine life. For wildlife, many of the same issues that occur with onshore wind projects, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as bird and bat mortality from collisions and avoidance of turbines, also occurs with offshore wind projects. But in the ocean, a whole host of additional species and habitats can also be affected. Until additional information is available from current and future research, we will not have a full understanding of the effects of floating turbines on wildlife and habitat.

A comprehensive study of what scientists know – and don’t know – about the potential wildlife impacts from proposed floating offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine, published in Habitat Magazine, 2022.
View the report here.

Maine Audubon hosts virtual, educational presentations focused on issues related to the development of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. Watch the recordings of these informational webinars.

May 25, 2023: Climate Change in the Gulf of Maine
A program about the changing conditions in the Gulf of Maine. Delivered by Dr. Katherine Allen of the University of Maine School of Earth and Climate Sciences Cooperating Appointment, Climate Change Institute.
View the recording here (YouTube)

April 19, 2022: Offshore Wind Roadmap Update
Deputy Director Celina Cunningham of the Governor’s Energy Office; Conservation Biologist/GIS Manager Sarah Haggerty of Maine Audubon; and Advocacy Director Eliza Donoghue of Maine Audubon with updates on progress towards offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine.
View the recording here (YouTube)

March 23, 2021: Offshore Wind Energy and Maine: A Primer
Dr. Habib Dagher
View the recording here (YouTube)

March 30, 2021: Offshore Wind and Birds
Wing Goodale, BRI and Dr. Roberto Albertani
View the recording here (YouTube)

April 6, 2021: Offshore Wind and the Environment
Dr. Trevor Peterson and Dr. Sofie Van Parijs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
View the recording here (YouTube)

April 13, 2021: Offshore Wind Energy in the Gulf of Maine
Director Dan Burgess and Deputy Director Celina Cunningham of the Governor’s Energy Office
View the recording here (YouTube)

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