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??