Key Takeaways
1. Offshore wind farms, like the Rampion wind farm in Sussex, are becoming popular tourist attractions, appealing to many who find them photogenic.
2. The Rampion wind farm provides clean energy to approximately 350,000 homes annually since its operation began in 2018.
3. The rise in wind farm tourism is linked to the trend of staycations, as people seek unique and Instagram-worthy locations.
4. Local fishermen and small businesses benefit the most from the tourism generated by wind farms, rather than large tour companies.
5. Plans are underway to expand the Rampion wind farm by adding 90 more turbines, increasing their height to up to 325 meters.
One common opinion against offshore wind farms is that they spoil the landscape. Yet, increasing evidence indicates that a lot of people actually find these massive structures appealing and are willing to pay to see them up close. As reported by the BBC, some boat operators in Britain are taking advantage of this emerging tourism trend.
Wind Farm Overview
The Rampion wind farm, located 8.2 miles from the coast of Sussex in the UK, consists of 116 wind turbines, each standing at 140 meters tall. Since it began operations in 2018, it has provided clean energy to around 350,000 homes in Britain each year. Furthermore, it is enhancing local tourism, with many individuals considering the turbines to be photogenic.
Local Tourism Boost
Dr. Adam Jones, a strategy and marketing lecturer at the nearby University of Brighton, explains that the rise in wind farm tourism is heavily influenced by the growing trend of staycations. People are looking for unique locations and backgrounds that are perfect for Instagram or TikTok, and these wind farms fit that desire.
He emphasized that local fishermen are the ones who gain the most from this tourism surge, rather than the large tour companies. According to him, small and medium enterprises are better at distributing these economic benefits. For instance, Brighton Diver has been organizing tours since the construction of the farm began. Paul Dyer, the owner of this travel agency, mentioned that his tours have been “surprisingly popular” among local residents.
Future Plans
The Rampion wind farm is gearing up for an expansion. Plans have been approved to add 90 more turbines, which will reach up to 325 meters in height.
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