The proposed offshore wind farm at Is-Sikka l-Bajda off Mellieħa would have significant multiple impacts on the environment, Mepa’s environment unit has warned.
The wind farm would affect land and sea uses, certain bird species and the geology of the site, as well as creating high background noise levels and having a negative visual impact.
In most cases the mitigation measures proposed in the environmental impact statement (EIS) would not be enough, and hence major residual impacts would endure.
Environment groups had criticised the proposed location
These conclusions are found in a report, submitted by the Environment Protection Directorate, looking into the EIS for the proposed development.
The project has been in the offing since 2009 and consists of a 95 megawatt offshore wind farm with a maximum of 19 turbines spread over an area of 11 square kilometres.
Its aim would be to contribute towards meeting the EU’s energy target of producing 10 per cent of the island’s needs through renewable sources by 2020, as it would generate up to four per cent of the island’s total energy consumption.
Environment groups had criticised the proposed location of the offshore wind farm which is close to special conservation areas and the Għadira Nature Reserve.
A position paper issued by Birdlife Malta in 2009 had said that rigorous environmental studies would be necessary before the government forged ahead with the project, while warning that the development would have an impact on Yelkouan shearwaters.
In its report, the directorate noted that noise and light emissions during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases would create major negative impacts. Shearwaters, ducks, raptors and waders would be the ones mostly affected. The main concern would be the population of Corys and Yelkouan shearwaters which breed in the area of the proposed development. These species carry the highest level of conservation at the two special protected areas of Rdum il-Madonna in the limits of Mellieħa and Comino, the study noted.
In addition, the project could possibly have an adverse impact on nocturnal bird migrants.
From a marine ecology perspective, the report concluded that in the absence of better information, the project would have a moderately adverse impact.
However, the visual impact would be major, as seen from Pembroke, Qawra, Buġibba, St Paul’s Bay, Mellieħa, Marfa Ridge as well as Qala, Nadur and Ta’ Ċenċ in Gozo.
As for the noise levels generated by the turbines, the impact would vary from minimal in Buġibba and Selmun to substantial at L-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa and especially in Comino.
The report also pointed out that the proposed location would restrict navigation routes for all vessels and have economic repercussions as an important bunkering area would have to be sacrificed. It would also be necessary to relocate an existing aquaculture farm in the vicinity of the proposed development.
The site at Is-Sikka l-Bajda was considered as the most favourable for a wind farm, as other alternatives such as Hurd Bank, some 15 kilometres east of the islands, were considered to be too deep for the current proven technologies.
The site was also preferred as it was at a distance from major ports but at the same time relatively close to the coast, meaning that cable connection costs and maintenance would be reduced.