Client University of Tartu Developer Nelja Energia AS Type of Document EIA Report Date February 2017 Project number 2013_0056 NORTH-WEST ESTONIA OFFSHORE WIND PARK SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT North-West Estonia Offshore Wind Park Summary of Environmental Impact Assessment Report Version 01 Date of printing 31/01/2017 Compiled by: Aune Aunapuu, Liis Kikas, Veronika Verš, Kristiina Ehapalu, Raimo Pajula, Esta Rahno, Merje Lesta, Vivika Väizene, Andres Kask, Kaarel Orviku, Georg Martin, Markus Vetemaa, Urmas Lips, Leho Luigujõe, Hendrik Puhkim Project number 2013_0056 Skepast&Puhkim OÜ Laki 34 12915 Tallinn +372 664 5808 [email protected] 2 / 86 North-West Estonia Offshore Wind Park Summary of Environmental Impact Assessment Report TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY OF THE CONTENTS OF THE REPORT ...................................................................................... 6 1. OVERVIEW OF THE EIA PROCEDURE AND PARTICIPANTS ............................................ 11 1.1. EIA participants ............................................................................................................................................ 11 1.2. EIA procedure and development of wind park areas ..................................................................... 11 1.3. Bases and principles of impact assessment ...................................................................................... 13 1.4. Methods for forecasting the impacts and brief description of the survey methods ........... 14 2. DESCRIPTION OF PLANNED ACTIVITY ................................................................................... 17 2.1. The purpose and necessity of planned activity ................................................................................ 17 2.2. General characteristics of wind park and parameters of wind turbines ................................. 17 2.3. Types of foundations for electrical wind turbines installed in the sea ..................................... 19 2.4. Phases of construction of offshore wind park ................................................................................... 19 2.4.1. Construction of wind park ........................................................................................................................ 19 2.4.2. Installation of cables .................................................................................................................................. 20 2.4.3. Connection to electricity network .......................................................................................................... 21 2.4.4. Operation on wind park ............................................................................................................................ 21 2.4.5. Wind park demolition ................................................................................................................................. 21 2.5. Considering the alternatives ................................................................................................................... 22 3. PRESUMABLY AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENT CONDITION ......................................................................................................... 23 3.1. Hydrogeological conditions ...................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1. Geology ........................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.2. Seabed sediments ....................................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.3. Coastal processes ........................................................................................................................................ 24 3.2. Hydrodynamic and climatic conditions ................................................................................................ 24 3.2.1. Wind ................................................................................................................................................................. 24 3.2.2. Ice conditions................................................................................................................................................ 25 3.2.3. Water quality ................................................................................................................................................ 25 3.3. Seabed fauna ................................................................................................................................................ 26 3.3.1. Seabed flora .................................................................................................................................................. 26 3.3.2. Seabed fauna ................................................................................................................................................ 27 3.3.3. Seabed dwelling places ............................................................................................................................. 27 3.4. Fish ................................................................................................................................................................... 28 3.5. Sea mammals ............................................................................................................................................... 28 3.6. Birds ................................................................................................................................................................. 30 3.6.1. Spring migration .......................................................................................................................................... 33 3.6.2. Moulting .......................................................................................................................................................... 34 3.6.3. Autumn migration ....................................................................................................................................... 36 3.6.4. Wintering ........................................................................................................................................................ 37 3.6.5. International flight census of wintering birds ................................................................................... 40 3.7. Areas and objects under protection in the region ........................................................................... 40 3.7.2. Objects of heritage conservation .......................................................................................................... 43 3.8. Social-economic environment ................................................................................................................ 43 3.8.1. Hiiu county ..................................................................................................................................................... 43 3.8.2. Population of Hiiu county ......................................................................................................................... 44 3.8.3. Electricity connections ............................................................................................................................... 44 3.8.4. Harbours ......................................................................................................................................................... 45 3.8.5. Hiiumaa economics and tourism............................................................................................................ 45 3 / 86 North-West Estonia Offshore Wind Park Summary of Environmental Impact Assessment Report 4. NATURA 2000 RELEVANT ASSESSMENT ................................................................................. 46 4.1. Information about planned activity and other projects or programmes that may significantly impact Natura area ............................................................................................................ 46 5. ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ALLEGEDLY ARISING FROM THE PLANNED ACTIVITY ......................................................................................................................... 48 5.1. The size of the alleged impact area ..................................................................................................... 48 5.2. Impact on hydrodynamics ....................................................................................................................... 48 5.2.1. Impact to waves, currents and mixing ............................................................................................... 48 5.2.2. Impact to dispersion of suspension ...................................................................................................... 49 5.3. Impact on movement of sediments and coastal processes ......................................................... 49 5.4. Impact on seabed fauna ........................................................................................................................... 50 5.5. Impact on fish .............................................................................................................................................. 52 5.5.1. Impact on fishing .......................................................................................................................................