An environmental impact assessment is mandatory when planning any offshore wind farm facilities. In the course of the environmental impact assessment, comprehensive studies are carried out to identify the possible impact of the wind farm on wildlife, as well as human health, well-being, and property. In the course of the studies, information is collected and analysed, for example, about feeding areas, migration corridors, and the migration routes of fish, birds, and bats. The study of the seabed biota is carried out and the socio-economic aspects associated with the construction of a wind farm are evaluated, etc. The results of the studies are an important input for decisions, such as where, how many, and whether or not wind turbines can be built.
The environmental impact assessment program is prepared by the environmental consulting company Roheplaan OÜ in cooperation with Hendrikson & Ko OÜ. Several leading experts in the field, both from Estonia and abroad, have been involved in the preparation of the EIA program. The lead EIA expert is licensed EIA expert Riin Kutsar (EIA license No. KMH0131)