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Aeronautical and military impacts

• Aeronautical issues
• The consultation process

Aeronautical issues

Wind turbines can have an impact on aviation activities, typically on radar systems or on low flying. In 2001, BERR formed the Wind Energy, Defence and Civil Aviation Interests Working Group to consider the combined interests of wind farm developers, aviators and government. This group, with representatives from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the National Air Traffic Services (NATs), the Airport Operators Association, the British Wind Energy Association and government, has produced guidelines to facilitate the development of wind energy so as to meet the UK Government’s targets, while recognising the interests of civil and military aviation.

The guidelines explain Government’s policy and the need for wind energy, the issues relating to the potential impact of wind farms on aviation activity, and the planning and consultation process.

The consultation process

The MoD, CAA and NATs have a statutory duty to safeguard certain sites and airspace from radar interference in the interests of national security and for the safe operation of passenger and military aviation - this duty was restated in the 2003 Energy White Paper.  Developers are encouraged to consult voluntarily with these bodies before their formal planning application is submitted in order to identify and, if possible, resolve issues.

Consultation with these bodies happens through a standard proforma contained with the guidelines in which developers list the exact locations, dimensions, construction details and output of all proposed turbines. Completed proformas are submitted to the MoD which consults with its various departments, as well as with the CAA and NATs. If a site falls within 30 kilometres of a safeguarded aerodrome, the CAA generally devolves responsibility for safeguarding the aerodrome in question.

You can view the proforma here.

Each development is assessed on a case-by-case basis. The CAA and NATs will object to wind energy proposals that they feel could adversely impact en-route aeronautical radar coverage.

You can find further information in Civil Aviation Publication 670 ‘Air Traffic Services Safety Requirements’.

The MoD submits holding objections to all wind energy proposals within line of sight of air defence radars, unless the developer can provide evidence that it will have no impact on the radars. Proposals within tactical training areas are also likely to raise objections.

The MoD has also placed safeguarding zones around other facilities. For example, it has imposed a precautionary 30 kilometre radius zone around a seismic monitoring facility at Eskdalemuir. The facility constitutes a key part of a global network of facilities monitoring the current nuclear test ban treaty. Wind energy proposals within the safeguarding zone will be opposed. The MoD will make a holding objection pending more detailed evaluation of proposals within a 30 kilometre and 80 kilometre radius of the facility. However, the safeguarding zone is being reviewed following detailed analysis of the impact of wind turbines on the seismic array.

The Wind Energy, Defence and Civil Aviation Interests Working Group is working to simplify and speed up the pre-planning consultation process and to develop a common and transparent assessment methodology. It is also seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the effects that wind farms can have on radar systems and to develop mitigating techniques based on that knowledge.

SDC Report

The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) report, Wind Power in the UK: The Facts was launched in May 2005. Full details of their findings on aeronautical & military impacts can be viewed in this report.