The Air Navigation Order 2016

Lighting of wind turbine generators in United Kingdom territorial waters

223.—(1) Subject to paragraph (10), this article applies to any wind turbine generator—

(a) the height of which is 60 metres or more above the level of the sea at the highest astronomical tide; and

(b) which is situated in waters within or adjacent to the United Kingdom up to the seaward limits of the territorial sea.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) the person in charge of a wind turbine generator must ensure that it is fitted with at least one medium intensity steady red light positioned as close as reasonably practicable to the top of the fixed structure.

(3) If four or more wind turbine generators are located together in the same group, with the permission of the CAA only those on the periphery of the group need be fitted with a light in accordance with paragraph (2).

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), the light or lights required by paragraph (2) must be so fitted as to show when displayed in all directions without interruption.

(5) When displayed—

(a) the angle of the plane of the beam of peak intensity emitted by the light must be elevated to between three and four degrees above the horizontal plane;

(b) not more than 45% or less than 20% of the minimum peak intensity specified for a light of this type is to be visible at the horizontal plane;

(c) not more than 10% of the minimum peak intensity specified for a light of this type is to be visible at a depression of 1.5 degrees or more below the horizontal plane.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), the person in charge of a wind turbine generator must ensure that by night, any light required to be fitted by this article is displayed.

(7) In the event of the failure of any light which is required by this article to be displayed by night the person in charge of a wind turbine generator must repair or replace the light as soon as reasonably practicable.

(8) If visibility in all directions from every wind turbine generator in a group is more than 5km the light intensity for any light required by this article to be fitted to any generator in the group and displayed may be reduced to not less than 10% of the minimum peak intensity specified for a light of this type.

(9) In any particular case the CAA may direct that a wind turbine generator must be fitted with and display such additional lights in such positions and at such times as it may specify.

(10) This article does not apply to any wind turbine generator for which the CAA has granted a permission to the person in charge permitting that person not to fit and display lights in accordance with this article.

(11) A permission may be granted for the purposes of this article for a particular case or class of cases or generally.

(12) In this article—

(a) “wind turbine generator” is a generating station which is wholly or mainly driven by wind;

(b) the height of a wind turbine generator is the height of the fixed structure or if greater the maximum vertical extent of any blade attached to that structure; and

(c) a wind turbine generator is in the same group as another wind turbine generator if the same person is in charge of both and—

(i) it is within 2km of that other wind turbine generator; or

(ii) it is within 2km of a wind turbine generator which is in the same group as that other wind turbine generator.