Science requirements to support licensing of marine renewable
Ian DaviesMarine Scotland
Licensing marine renewable energy projects: A view from Scotland
Ian DaviesMarine Scotland Science, Aberdeen,
How much development?
TIDE
WAVE
WIND R3
WIND STW
And then? Medium term offshore wind plan
Consents Required in Scotland
• Section 34 The Coast Protection Act 1949 (CPA)• Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 (s.36)• Section 5 Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) • Section 44 European Protected Species (EPS)• Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act • Energy Act (2004) Decommissioning issued by DECC
Renewable Consenting Procedure
Pre-scoping
• Meetings – baseline surveys and monitoring requirements• General enquiries - early engagement with stakeholders & advisors• Feedback provided
EIAScoping
• Distribute to a range of consultees as defined by the EIA Regulations (formal process)
• Provide advice and feedback• Compile responses and resolve issues• Respond to the developer
EIAPreparation
• Meetings – discuss consultees advice and try to alleviate any controversial issues and conflicts
• Monitoring protocols
Application
• Receive acceptable application package• Distribute to a range of consultees• Resolve conflict and provide guidance• Compile responses and complete determination• If favourable - Licence conditions defined (including monitoring and
reporting requirements)• Prepare recommendation for the Minister• Issue FEPA, CPA and s.36
Why is consenting a problem?
Prediction of effects on mobile species in the absence of empirical data or an evidence base. Particularly important in relation to SACs/SPAs (HRAs).
Impacts on:
Seabed habitats
Mammals
Seabirds
Fish, particularly migratory species
Forms of interactions with wildlife
a) Physical collision
b) Reaction to construction and operational noise
c) Displacement/disturbance
d) “Barrier effects” – operational
e) Interference with migration – emf, noise
Wildlife interactions
We need:
Validated models of the interactions
Models of the consequences
But lack:
Technology to accurately detect/record subsea interactions.
Time and resources to understand target populations of mammals and birds such that any impacts of renewables can be reliably detected and correctly assigned.
Interactions with other users
Fishing: VMS gives good information on >15m vessels.Relatively little information on <15m vessels. What are the implications of displacement of fishing effort?
Coastal processes:Where should we go for good advice on implications of renewables for coastal processes? Sediment transport, erosion/deposition, changes in wave climate for recreational use, coastal habitats, etc
Potential positive effects
Potential for multiple uses: What activities may be compatible with some forms of renewables developments?
Potential function as MPAs to support conservation and commercial fisheries.
How can we secure socio-economic benefits at local as well as national scale?
Issues on the horizon
a) Significance to be given to Priority Marine Features?
b) Significance and management of landscape /seascape /NSA/ remoteness issues?
c) How can local communities be brought into the economic processes. How can they benefit?
d) How does tourism fit into the mix?
e) Logical basis for tradeoffs between different uses of the sea?
f) When is enough enough? Limits to growth?
g) What is the change in balance of issues as the scale of development increases/ Do any new issues arise?
Marine spatial planning??
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