Surfers Against Sewage believe that climate change poses a major threat to recreational water users, the marine environment and the global environment as a whole, and agrees that action needs to be taken to combat it. Surfers Against Sewage supports the advancement of renewable energy sources, but will examine each new development on a case-by case basis in order to assess any potential negative impacts on coastal environments, surfing resources and recreation.

The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm is a proposed wind farm in the English Channel. If the Rampion proposal is to be developed it would sit inside an area of approximately 167 square kilometres. Inside that expansive sea area there could be a maximum of 195 three MW turbines. These would be spread out throughout the proposed area.  The developers claim the Rampion proposal could power up to 450,000 homes with sustainable energy.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is extremely concerned with E-ON’s Draft Environmental Statement identifying potentially significant negative impacts on wave height of up to -22% at Brighton Marina and surf spots to the east of the city, which are some of the country’s most popular and well established surfing beaches.  This potential reduction would be an unacceptable level to SAS and the local surfing community.  You can view SAS’s official response here:

Surfing and other wave-related sports (stand up paddle (SUP) boarding, kite surfing, wind surfing and kayaking) are incredibly popular in Brighton, and along the south coast.  Even though this stretch of coastline generally receives low quality surf, it is of high importance to a vast number of people and the local community.  These high value/low quality waves are also more sensitive to changes.

The mitigating action proposed in the Draft Environmental Statement, table 19-10: Summary of Residual Effects and Mitigation Measures is “Consultation with stakeholder groups.  No other mitigation proposed.”  This is unacceptable.  Consulting stakeholder groups about a significant reduction in wave height and therefore wave quality is not mitigation.  It will do nothing to reduce the significant impact on the wave height expected in Brighton and along the south coast.  Surfers Against Sewage have called for more information on how altering the turbine layout, size, numbers, placement, anchorage and any other mitigating actions could help reduce the potential negative impacts on surfing wave height.

To register your concerns download this STAKEHOLDER REPONSE LETTER, copy & paste, or attach and send to: rampion@eon.com before August 8th 2012.

You can download the SAS Rampion Response on draft Environmental Statement.

For more info on SAS POW click here.