The following substantial studies conclude that Excessive Amplitude Modulation (EAM) causes annoyance and sleep disturbance, i.e. EAM is detrimental to health. The report demonstrates that existing UK guidance (ETSU-R-97) is insufficient to understand the impact of wind farms on health. Our health practitioner members have raised this with the planning departments in Rossendale and Rochdale but as yet we have no recognition that they appreciate the seriousness of this issue.

Wind Turbine Amplitude Modulation and Planning Control Study

An Independent Noise Working Group (INWG) produced this report as part of Work Package 3.2 published on 27th March 2015. It makes grim reading for those concerned about the health impacts of EAM. It states in the Executive Summary (see original document for references, emphasis added):

1.1 Excessive noise is harmful to human health, particularly through adverse effects on sleep (WHO 20111). Regulation of wind turbine noise is recognised as necessary to prevent adverse effects on the human population.

1.2 UK guidance ETSU-R-97 states in its executive summary “This document describes a framework for the measurement of wind farm noise and gives indicative noise levels thought (my emphasis) to offer a reasonable degree of protection to wind farm neighbours, without placing unreasonable restrictions on wind farm development or adding unduly to the costs and administrative burdens on wind farm developers or local authorities.”. It is reasonable to infer that the authors had no certainty that their recommendations were adequate nor were they solely concerned with protecting the sleep and health of wind farm neighbours and therefore moderated their recommendations accordingly.

1.3 The acoustical shortcomings of ETSU have been discussed in detail elsewhere. Despite the growing evidence of harm and the authors’ caveats, no substantive review of the fundamental principles of ETSU has been conducted nor has any substantive research been conducted in the UK. The Hayes McKenzie Partnership conducted a small study on behalf of the DTI in 2006 as a result of which they recommended reductions in night time noise levels. These were removed from the final report, only emerging after the earlier drafts were obtained using Freedom of Information requests.

1.4 The methodology and indicative noise levels of ETSU have been adopted in many other jurisdictions.

1.5 A large body of evidence, presented below, demonstrates that human sleep and health are adversely affected at wind turbine noise levels permitted by ETSU. There is particular concern for the health of children exposed to excessive wind turbine noise. The inadequate consideration of excessive amplitude modulation (EAM) is a major factor in the failure of ETSU to protect the human population.

More damning is their final conclusion:

It is abundantly clear that wind turbine noise adversely affects sleep and health at the setback distances and noise levels permitted in UK by ETSU. There is no reliable evidence at all that wind turbines are safe at these distances and noise levels, not a single study. In contrast there is an increasing volume of studies outlined here to the contrary.

The full report is available here: 3_2_eam_wind_turbine_noise_and_health_final

Wind Turbine AM Review – Phase 2 Report

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff produced this report on behalf of the Department of Energy & Climate Change in August 2016.

This report concluded:

The review has concluded that there is sufficient robust evidence that excessive AM leads to increased annoyance from wind turbine noise, and that it should be controlled using suitable planning conditions. Key elements required to formulate such a condition have been recommended.

This report highlights a number of conclusions from earlier work demonstrating a wealth of evidence to support the damage that EAM can cause to health. The report discusses in detail the possible planning conditions that might be imposed. However, these seem problematic to this author. They include the need to modify blades and/or control systems to reduce EAM. This requires an analysis of a representative scheme similar in turbine size and quantity to that proposed for Scout Moor 2. It is difficult to see how this would be achieved. Therefore, planners could only specify conditions to trigger once the wind farm had been made operational. This would be shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted.

The full report can be read here: Phase_2_Report_-_Wind_Turbine_AM_Review_Issue_3__FINAL_ (2)