Scientists studying the effects of a North Sea wind farm has found that the negative effect on the fauna are mostly negligible, and that the wind farm actually has a positive impact on the biodiversity by providing a calm oasis in the busy Dutch coastal zone.

The researchers studied developments in the local fauna at a offshore wind farm near Egmond aan Zee, and found that on and around the wind turbines there was an increase in seabed animals such as mussels, anemones, and crabs. The scientists also observed an increase in some fish and mammal species, speculating that the fish "seem to find shelter in the wind farm".

Source: IOP Publishing, Environmental Research Letters 6 (2011)