Masses of data collected during surveys carried out by offshore wind farm developers in the UK has been published on line in a bid to "unlock the value" of the seabed.
The Crown Estate, which manages the UK’s seabed, has put over 11.5 TB of data collected over several years by the developers of the former Celtic Array wind project off the coast of Wales and the First Flight wind farm off the coast of Northern Ireland on its online Marine Data Exchange (MDE).
The data includes information including environmental material, bird and mammal surveys, shipping, navigation and archaeological data, geophysical information and sediment sampling. Its publication follows the release last year of data from the former Atlantic Array offshore wind project in the Bristol Channel.
"We are harnessing the power of open data to help build a picture of this natural resource for different marine users," said Huub den Rooijen, Head of Offshore Wind at the Crown Estate. "By making information easily available through the Marine Data Exchange we can help stimulate research, support academia and contribute towards the sustainable development of the seabed to unlock value over the long term."
The Marine Data Exchange also provides access to wider environmental survey data and reports collated during the planning, building and operation of offshore renewable energy projects.
