The federal government has ordered offshore power corporations to keep away from “noisy” detonations when disposing of unexploded bombs on the seabed, in a bid to guard weak marine life.
There are nonetheless greater than 300,000 items of unexploded ordnance from the First and Second World Wars dotted round UK waters, which should be cleared for wind tasks to go forward.
Marine minister Emma Hardy mentioned “high-order” detonations of the dormant weapons ought to be a final resort and the business should undertake quieter alternate options as a substitute.
Massive explosive blasts can kill off whales, dolphins and different sea creatures, and the noise can disrupt their behaviour, specialists say.
The federal government is working with the Crown Property and workers from the explosives and offshore wind industries to check and develop new, quieter applied sciences for bomb clearance.
Hardy mentioned the principles will enable extra offshore wind farms to be constructed whereas defending weak animals.
“These new measures assist the development of offshore wind that the UK wants, whereas making smart adjustments to cease pointless hurt to underwater life,” she added.
Cease Sea Blasts campaigner Joanna Lumley mentioned she was “thrilled to the core” on the resolution to guard the UK’s “unbelievably treasured seas”.
“It is a magnificent instance of presidency and business coming collectively to embrace expertise and problem the outdated method of doing issues,” she mentioned.
“This announcement ought to make sure that high-order detonation, and the injury it wreaks, is consigned to the historical past books.”
Offshore wind is vital to the federal government’s plans to decarbonise the UK’s power grid by 2030 underneath its Plan for Progress.