Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Offshore Wind Farms: Unexploded Ordnance

17 March 2021 · 6 other contributors · 6,885 words

Opened by John Nicolson SNP East Dunbartonshire

Responding minister: Rebecca Pow

EnergyEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

John Nicolson raised concerns about offshore wind farms: unexploded ordnance in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The disposal of unexploded ordnance for offshore wind farm construction poses a significant threat to marine life.
  • Current high-order disposal methods involve detonating munitions, causing severe environmental damage.
  • The Government should update its licensing regime to mandate the use of low-order deflagration for safer disposal methods.

Key requests to Government

The Government should update its licensing regime to mandate the use of low-order deflagration as the only option for munition disposal. This method is quieter and safer for marine life, with emissions and noise reduced significantly compared to high-order detonation methods.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

John Nicolson SNP East Dunbartonshire

The disposal of unexploded ordnance for offshore wind farm construction poses a significant threat to marine life. An estimated 100,000 bombs litter the seabed from past conflicts, and current high-order disposal methods involve detonating these munitions, which can cause severe environmental damage. Marine biologists have noted that such explosions not only kill sea life instantly but also deafen aquatic mammals like whales, porpoises, and dolphins, leading to mass strandings and deaths. For example, 19 pilot whales died after a stranding linked to a munitions disposal operation.

Other contributors (6)
  • Ben Bradshaw

    Ben Bradshaw, former Minister for the marine environment, advocated for updating regulatory frameworks governing unexploded ordnances. He requested that the Government explore less damaging alternatives in both land-based and marine environments, citing recent controlled explosions that caused significant property damage.

  • Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East

    Welcomes the Government's commitment to offshore wind but calls for more financial support and leadership to maximise its potential. Expresses concern about the threat of 500,000 unexploded ordnance items in British waters and their impact on marine life. Urges the government to shift towards deflagration methods as a safer alternative.

  • Lisa Cameron SNP East Kilbride, Strathaven and Hamilton West

    Ms Cameron expressed concern about the impact of unexploded ordnance detonation on marine mammals, urging for deflagration methods to be used instead of sea blasts. She highlighted the importance of protecting marine wildlife in the context of COP26 and G7 discussions.

  • Peter Aldous

    Supports offshore wind development but highlights the challenges of managing UK waters sustainably, including the presence of unexploded ordnance. Emphasises the need for an ecosystem approach and innovative techniques to reduce environmental impact.

  • Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park

    There needs to be a clear strategy to tackle the issue of unexploded ordnances in UK waters, which can significantly impact marine life. The Government must explore ways of safely clearing these objects with minimal environmental damage. Sarah Olney called for alternatives such as low-order deflagration and urged DEFRA to update its guidance accordingly.

  • Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South

    The MP highlighted the risk of irreparable damage to the seabed and marine life from high-order detonation methods used for clearing unexploded ordnance. She cited a study suggesting 88 explosions could cause up to 5,000 permanent hearing loss events in sea mammals. The speaker urged for an updated assessment of the harm caused by recent detonations and questioned the government's timeline on implementing changes recommended by reports.

Government Response

Rebecca Pow

The Minister thanked Members for their contributions on the issue of unexploded ordnance in offshore wind farm developments. She highlighted the Government's commitment to protecting marine life and habitats while supporting sustainable offshore wind development. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working closely with other departments to balance these interests. Deflagration methods are being tested as a quieter alternative to detonation, but further research is needed to ensure safety and effectiveness in real-world conditions.

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