Wind farms eight miles off coast would still be visible

This photo illustration shows how a 12-turbine wind farm off the coast of Little River might appear from a public beach in northern Horry County. The distance from shore to turbines is about 7.3 miles. Different light, wind and haze conditions could make them more or less visible. A Santee Cooper-commissioned study says that offshore wind farms located up to eight miles past the shoreline would still be visible from the coast. The photo simulation is part of Santee Cooper’s ongoing research project to determine whether wind farms off South Carolina’s coast could be a viable source of energy. The visibility issue relates to studying the potential impact of wind farms on tourism and commercial and residential real estate.

Staff Report
Published Nov. 6, 2009

A Santee Cooper-commissioned study says that offshore wind farms located up to eight miles past the shoreline would be visible from the coast.

The study, conducted by Clemson University’s South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies, said a typical summer haze would reduce the visibility by half.

This photo illustration shows how a 12-turbine wind farm off the coast of Little River might appear from a public beach in northern Horry County. The distance from shore to turbines is about 7.3 miles. Different light, wind and haze conditions could make them more or less visible. The photo simulation is part of Santee Cooper’s ongoing research project to determine whether wind farms off South Carolina’s coast could be a viable source of energy. The visibility issue relates to studying the potential impact of wind farms on tourism and commercial and residential real estate.

“A big part of this process is informing and engaging the public about wind energy and how offshore turbines will impact all of us,” Marc Tye, Santee Cooper’s vice president of conservation and renewable energy, said in a statement. “We know we have to consider shipping lanes and environmental impacts if we get to the point of building offshore turbines. It is equally important that we consider how the turbines may impact our state’s tourism and real estate industries.”

In Europe, offshore wind farms are a tourist attraction, Tye said.

This photo simulation compares the visibility of wind turbines placed at varying distances from shore. Specifically, the turbines are depicted at distances, left to right, of 2 miles, 3 miles, 4 miles, 5 miles, 6 miles, 7 miles and 8 miles from the shore. Different light, wind and haze conditions could make them more or less visible. “Other experience does show that an offshore wind farm in South Carolina could complement existing tourism attractions in the area we are studying,” he said. “We look forward to working with Grand Strand business and civic leaders in continuing this avenue of research.”

In the simulation, Clemson researchers photographed ocean views from various coastal points along Horry and Georgetown counties. Those areas roughly match the two areas hosting an ongoing wind buoy study by Santee Cooper and Coastal Carolina University. To see the photo simulation, click here.

The turbines in the simulation are 3.6-megawatt models depicted with a hub height of 328 feet and blades 164 feet long. These are representative of typical offshore turbines. The 12 turbines together form an array, or wind farm, capable of producing 43 megawatts.