Gero VellaOffshore renewable energy: a business perspective

On behalf of: Renewable Energy Systems Limited (RES) & Centrica Renewable Energy Limited (CREL)

ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

Outline

Addressing the challenges of developing offshore wind farms, whilst maintaining balance in the marine environment, through a detailed consenting process, underpinned by;

• robust Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)• Continuous consultation with stakeholders to target their concerns• Working as an industry to resolve generic issues through national liaison groups and funding research into generic issues

Examples of how we have used the latest technology to investigate and mitigate potential impacts

Industry-wide initiatives; COWRIE (environmental research), FLOWW (commercial fisheries), and NOREL (shipping and navigation)

Looking ahead to the 3rd licensing round offshore (Round 3) and what more we might do

OFFSHORE WIND LICENSING ROUNDS

Round 1 & 2 sites (2001 and 2003) Proposed R3 zones (October 2009)

CENTRICA’S WIND PORTFOLIO

ONSHOREOperational wind farms:• Glens of Foudland (26MW)• Breas of Doune (72 MW)

OFFSHOREOperational wind farms:• Barrow (Round 1 – 90 MW)• Lynn (Round 1 – 90 MW)• Inner Dowsing ( Round 1 – 90 MW)

Consented:• Lincs (Round 2 – 250 MW)

Consent being sought:• Docking Shoal (Round 2 – 540 MW)• Race Bank (Round 2 – 620 MW)

Braes of Doune

CENTRICA’S WASH PROJECTS

CONSENTING PROCESS

N.B. This process is set to change with Planning Act and Marine &

Coastal Access Bill and the creation of the Independent

Planning Committee (IPC) and Marine Management Organisation (MMO)

Scoping

Submit Planning ApplicationElectricity Act (+TCPA), FEPA, CPA

EIAData collection, analysis & assessment

Produce Environmental Statement

Consent granted (general subject to mitigation/monitoring)

Public & stakeholder consultation

Planning applications for offshore wind farms are made under the Electricity Act, FEPA and CPA all of which require EIA to inform a decision on consent

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)

We aim to

• Collect of high quality data over suitable and agreed time periods for the physical, biological and human environment

• Undertake transparent assessments to meet or exceed ‘best practice’

• Work closely with our stakeholders at local, regional and National levels to ensure that we are meeting their requirements

• Work with other developers and stakeholders to identify solutions to common problems e.g. – FLOWW - commercial fisheries Liaison group– NOREL - shipping and navigation liaison group– COWRIE – environmental liaison group funding research to benefit the industry

8

Assessment of the potential effects on:

Physical Environment:Coastal and sediment processes Geology Underwater noise and electromagnetic fields (EMF)

Biological Environment:Birds Marine mammals Fish Seabed communities Conservation (designated sites, habitats and species)

Human Environment:Shipping and navigation Landscape & seascape Commercial fishing Archaeology & cultural heritage

EIA DATA COLLECTION

EXAMPLE 1: COASTAL PROCESSES

9

Using coastal and sediment processes modelling to identify the level of impact to specific receptors (reefs and archaeological anomalies)

EXAMPLE 2: SEABED COMMUNITIES AND REEFS

10

Using the latest technology to map and avoid important seabed communities

USING RADAR TO TRACK PINK FOOTED GEESE

PRE POST

RESEARCH & COMMUNICATION - COWRIE

12

COWRIE website: www.offshorewind.co.uk

FLOWW & NOREL INDUSTRY LIAISON GROUPS

http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/offshore/stakeholder/page22667.html

CAN WE DO THINGS BETTER? … ‘ROUND 3’ IS ON THE WAY…

There is always room for improvement:

• Better scoping – making use of the data becoming available from operating wind farms to target real issues at the earliest opportunity

• Better communication – working more closely with our stakeholders to identify solutions and build bridges on a project by project level and nationally through liaison groups

• An industry approach – continuing to work together as an industry to meet generic issues