European Court of Auditors (ECA) report on social and environmental harm caused by offshore wind
22.9.2023
Question for written answer E-002794/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Robert Roos (ECR), Rob Rooken (ECR)
In Special Report 22/2023 on offshore energy in the EU, the ECA warns that Europe’s ambitions appear difficult to achieve and that major social and environmental harm is being caused by offshore wind.
Installed capacity for offshore energy is currently ‘only’ 16 GW. The EU’s targets are 111 and 317 GW by 2030 and 2050 respectively.
This huge increase in capacity means considerably less fishing space. In addition, according to the ECA, not enough research is being done into the environmental footprint effect on marine life. Potential negative impacts include changes in water quality, underwater noise, habitat loss, and migration patterns affected by electromagnetic fields.
In its replies the Commission acknowledges the lack of knowledge about the potential impact of offshore energy on biodiversity.
- 1.How and when will the Commission investigate the environmental footprint of offshore energy in order to establish whether what are huge ambitions are not being pursued at the expense of nature?
- 2.Will the Commission make proposals to conduct a more extensive eco-analysis before individual new projects are carried out, and if so, how?
- 3.Will the Commission make a proposal to modify the targets that are, according to the ECA, ‘difficult to achieve’, taking account of social, economic and environmental realities?
Submitted: 22.9.2023