Scour and cable protection are a great starting point for nature inclusive design. Both solutions create a ‘reef effect,’ providing new settlement and shelter opportunities for species. Scour protection is often used in dynamic sandy conditions for fixed offshore wind turbines. Traditionally a layer of rocks such as granite is used to prevent scour in the sand around the foundation of the turbines.
The electricity cables that connect the wind turbines to the grid are protected in a similar manner. The cables are typically placed under the surface of the (mostly sandy) substrate. When this can’t be done — for example, at cable crossings — the cables are covered by large granite rocks and a ‘sprinkler’ layer of smaller rocks. The latter is required in areas outside of wind farms, to ensure safe fishing.
