The main aim of the FEPA monitoring program is to determine the distribution and abundance of seabirds using the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm site and its surrounds before, during and after the construction phase of the wind farm. Standard survey methodologies have been used, following Camphuysen et al. (2004) and have remained consistent throughout the pre, during and post-construction monitoring.
The Thanet Offshore Wind Farm (Thanet) project is located in the Thames Estuary Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) area, approximately 11km off Foreness Point, within the Outer Thames Estuary. The Thanet project received consent in December 2006, with the most recent FEPA license being dated July 2010 (33119/10/1).
The Thanet project consists of 100 Vestas V90 3MW wind turbines located in water depths of 15-25m below chart datum, and extends over an area of 35km2. Each turbine is 115m tall at its highest point, with a minimum clearance above sea level of 22m. The turbine separation is approximately 500m along rows and 800m between rows.
The 2012-13 surveys are considered to be post construction as the installation of the 100 turbines and the offshore substation has now been completed.