The majority are not disturbed by the wind turbines' obstacle lighting

The majority are not disturbed or have a positive attitude towards the wind turbines' obstacle lighting, both for medium-intensity and high-intensity lighting. This emerged in a survey conducted by Wind Sweden regarding six wind farms around Sweden.

- The result surprised us, above all that such a large proportion do not experience any disturbance from the obstacle lighting despite it being visible from people's homes. We did not expect that. In the public debate, all focus is on the disruption, which means that the problem may be magnified in some cases, says Hanna Lind, project manager.

Percentage who experience the lighting positively or not disturbing from the home Medium-intensity 81,4% High-intensity lighting 77,8

The survey was conducted among property owners with a residential property near the six different wind farms, three with medium-intensity obstacle lighting and three with high-intensity obstacle lighting. The overall conclusion is that the lighting at the wind turbines is largely perceived as non-disturbing. The parameters that according to this study have the greatest impact on the perceived disturbance from housing are the population density and to some extent the presence of urban areas with artificial lights. Obstacle lighting is often perceived as less disturbing from places with the presence of artificial light. No connection between the distance from the home and the wind turbine has been seen in the survey. What can be seen from the survey, however, is that there are several parameters and complex relationships that affect the perceived disturbance from the obstacle lighting. High-intensity lighting can in itself be experienced as something more disturbing. However, the type of obstacle lighting alone cannot be used to assess how the obstacle lighting will affect its surroundings.

Project Knowledge-raising obstacle lighting has been developed based on a clear need to increase the understanding of the environmental impact of obstacle lighting. The project is part-financed by seven companies and an industry organization in the wind power industry, all of which experience the lack of knowledge about the environmental impact of obstacle lighting as problematic. Those who have contributed to the work are OX2, RWE Renewables, Fu-Gen Energi, Rabbalshede Kraft, EnBW Sweden, Evig el, Jämt Vind and Svensk Vindkraft. Representatives from Chalmers University of Technology and Uppsala University have also participated in the project's reference group.

The report is avaible in swedish on our webbsite

Contact person for project: Hanna Lind

hanna@wind-sweden.com

+46 70 282 78 34