Offshore Renewable Energy in Scottish Waters Policy, Planning and Licensing for the Present and Future

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Warren Summers
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1 Offshore Renewable Energy in Scottish Waters Policy, Planning and Licensing for the Present and Future

2 Licensing context: Development applications for wind farms in the Moray Firth and the requirement for CIA Gayle Holland Marine Scotland, Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen

3 The Moray Firth Wind Farms BOWL application: up to 1000 MW (277 turbines) received April 2012 addendum submitted May 2013 MORL 3 wind farm applications Telford, Stevenson and MacColl total of up to 1500 MW (339 turbines) received August 2012 additional information submitted June 2013

4 Rochdale envelope and CIA Rochdale (design) envelope approach made CIA even more challenging Numbers and dimensions of turbines Foundation types Installation methods Both developments consented March 2014 Consents granted: BOWL 750 MW (140 turbines) MORL 1,116 MW (186 turbines)

Marine mammals Birds Migratory fish Marine fish and

5 CIA issues to be resolved Throughout the consultation CIA was identified as the main concern: Marine mammals Birds Migratory fish Marine fish and commercial fisheries Navigation Aviation Defence Visual impacts

6 Basis for Cumulative Impact Assessment for Moray Firth offshore wind farms Ian Davies Marine Scotland Science

7 Marine Scotland s roles in renewable energy Planning authority Licensing authority Science support

8 Requirement for CIA EC EIA Directive. Assess effects on: Human beings Fauna and flora Landscape/seascape Material assets Cultural heritage EC Habitats Directive: Effects on protected sites and species Special Protection Areas Special Areas of Conservation

9 Moray Firth wind farms

10 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Species and SACs considered University of Aberdeen University of Aberdeen University of Aberdeen

11 Seabird species of negligible concern Black-legged kittiwake, Northern fulmar, Great skua and Arctic skua SNCBs advised no adverse effect on site integrity using a qualitative assessment due to the minimal predicted effects.

12 Seabird species of greater concern Great black-backed gull, Herring gull, Puffin, Razorbill and Guillemot) Full quantitative assessment required

13 Details of issues and approaches Kate Brookes Marine mammals Jared Wilson - Seabirds

14 Cumulative Impact Assessment of effects of renewables developments on mammals in the Moray Firth Kate Brookes

15 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Structure Species and SACs considered Methodology 1: seal assessment framework Methodology 2: fine scale days of disturbance Addressing gaps in understanding

16 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Species and SACs considered University of Aberdeen University of Aberdeen University of Aberdeen

Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Methodology 1: seal assessment framework Developed by Aberdeen University and Moray Firth wind farm

17 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Methodology 1: seal assessment framework Developed by Aberdeen University and Moray Firth wind farm developers Assess effects to individuals and puts into the context of the wider population Used by each development individually and also cumulatively

species abundance and distribution maps, in order to

18 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Methodology 1: seal assessment framework Overlays noise contours on species abundance and distribution maps, in order to calculate the number of animals exposed to particular doses of noise

19 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Methodology 1: seal assessment framework Consequence of noise exposure at different levels is determine by expert judgement, in the absence of empirical data Reduced survival and breeding success included as parameters in population model with the effects applied throughout the period of construction

20 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Methodology 1: seal assessment framework Harbour seal scenarios, run on simultaneous piling at MORL and BOWL for 4 years Sensitivity of PTS and disturbance levels tested by running with different parameters

21 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Methodology 2: Fine scale days of disturbance 4 years piling 36 days piling 25 days piling Increased vessel traffic

22 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Methodology 2: Fine scale days of disturbance

23 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Methodology 2: Fine scale days of disturbance For the whole east coast population, more than 50% of simulations had recovered to original size by the time wind farm piling ended For subset of population within the SAC, declined by between 4 and 6 individuals compared with undisturbed model runs Invergordon and Nigg both committed to significant reductions in impact piling

Provides baseline of dolphin and porpoise distribution Developers site specific

24 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Addressing gaps in understanding East coast passive acoustic monitoring, carried out by Marine Scotland Science Provides baseline of dolphin and porpoise distribution Developers site specific monitoring can supplement to assess changes in distribution resulting from pile driving

25 Marine mammal cumulative impact assessments Addressing gaps in understanding Public/private funding Scottish Government funded baseline data collection prior to consent being granted

26 CIA of effects of renewables developments on mammal & seabirds in the Moray Firth: Ornithological Common Approach Jared Wilson

27 Seabird species Species East Caithness Cliffs SPA North Caithness Cliffs SPA Hoy SPA Fulmar Shag Red-throated diver Great black-backed gull Herring gull Kittiwake Great skua Arctic skua Guillemot Razorbill Puffin

Different Approaches Displacement Collision % of birds displaced avoidance rate birds on water or all potentially vulnerable breeding season % of birds adult nocturnal activity % of adults breeding

28 Different Approaches Displacement Collision % of birds displaced avoidance rate birds on water or all potentially vulnerable breeding season % of birds adult nocturnal activity % of adults breeding flap/ gliding flight % of adults from Colony X, Y and Z Flight speed mean, peak or mean peak abundance estimate attraction to survey vessels % of displaced birds that fail to breed successfully rotor speed annual mean, seasonal mean Apportioning Thresholds SNH guidance note Population Viability Analysis (PVA) At-sea flight direction information Potential Biological Removal (PBR) GPS tracking data Starting population used Starting populations used What is acceptable effect SPA vs non-spa colonies included Maintain +ve trajectory f-value for use in PBR PBR in relation to productivity effects

29 Does it matter? Difficult to identify differences in approaches taken. Lack of transparency if different approaches used without clear rationale Unclear whether different approaches can be combined for CIA May artificially bias conclusions for/ against one project May result in CIA conclusions being opaque or open to challenge

of reasons for any remaining differences Re-running collision

30 Common Currency Discussions between developers, SNCBs and MSS Aim to reconcile any differences where possible Clarification of reasons for any remaining differences Re-running collision or displacement effect assessments using Common Currency as required

Collision Example HERGU ECC HERGU ECC CRM MORL Running Total BOWL Running Total Bird Parameters Bird Length 0.61 0.61 Wing span 1.44 1.44 Flight speed 12.8 12.

31 Collision Example HERGU ECC HERGU ECC CRM MORL Running Total BOWL Running Total Bird Parameters Bird Length Wing span Flight speed Noct Activity 2 2 Flap/Glide Flapping Flapping Option 1, 2, Avoidance Rate 98% 98% Windfarm scenario WCS MLS Annual Collisions Breeding Season Collisions Non breeding season Collisions Collision Apportioning CRM collisions Prop from SPA Prop immature birds Prop adults exclude sabatical adults Total SPA birds

32 Thresholds of Change

ABC Tool Likelihood Term Likelihood of the occurrence Probability (P) Virtually certain > 99.1% >0.991 Extremely likely 95.1-99.0% 0.951-0.990 Very likely 90.1-95.0% 0.901-0.950 Likely 66.1-90.0% 0.661-0.

33 ABC Tool Likelihood Term Likelihood of the occurrence Probability (P) Virtually certain > 99.1% >0.991 Extremely likely % Very likely % Likely % About as likely as not % Unlikely % Very unlikely % Extremely unlikely % Exceptionally unlikely < 1% <0.01

34 What Next? Lessons learned to feed into advice and guidance. More strategic approach e.g. PVAs for key colonies/ populations, estimating effects at a regional scale?

35 Licensing context: Development applications for wind farms in the Moray Firth and the requirement for CIA Roger May Marine Scotland, Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen

36 Migratory fish ISSUES HRA. Concerns principally around Construction Noise and EMF Fields. Whilst the ES did not raise serious issues the stakeholders involved were concerned about the high level of unknowns. ACTIONS Developer interaction with stakeholders did not provide a way forward and ASFB objected. Marine Scotland Science therefore took forward the need for a strategy to provide reassurance to stakeholders and a means to identify and mitigate against impacts. SOLUTIONS- Group- Following publication of a Marine Scotland scoping report, Marine Scotland initiated a process to develop a national strategy to coordinate and align research and monitoring in this area. The overall aim is to develop a national strategy to investigate the potential for interactions between diadromous fish and wind, wave and tidal renewable energy developments. This process was commenced in May 2013 with facilitated stakeholder engagement. The areas of research and monitoring prioritised through this engagement process are being incorporated in to proposed National Strategy work packages. The work packages identified in the proposed national strategy will be assessed and scoped to identify project feasibility and costing's by MSS. The National Strategy is currently being finalised for publication shortly. CONSENT CONDITIONS Annex D/annex 2/30, Piling strategy Annex D/annex 2/11

37 Marine fish ISSUES - EIA assessment found impacts from the two projects on fish and shellfish species to be primarily around construction. Herring (Spawning), Cod, Scallops, Sandeels. ACTIONS Developer engaged with stakeholders principally Marine Scotland Science. Additional surveys were carried out prior to ES submission. SOLUTIONS Individual -Monitoring post consent to include further monitoring (dependent on Rochdale Envelope if gravity bases used do not require herring Spawning to be monitored). Potential Limits on activities around spawning times. To be captured as part of Project Environmental Monitoring Programme Plan (PEMP). Covers Birds, Cod, Herring, Sandeels, Diadramous Fish, Benthic Communities and Seabed Scour. Group- To be established Moray Firth Regional Advisory Group (MFRAG) to advise on outputs of monitoring. (27) Group Scottish Strategic Marine Environment Group (SSMEG) (28) CONSENT CONDITIONS - Annex D/annex 2 /26, 33, 34

38 Commercial fisheries ISSUES EIA Commercial fishing takes place both on the area of the developments and along the cable routes to shore. Whitefish, Squid, Scallops and Shellfish ACTIONS Developers met with local fishermen and established the working group SOLUTIONS Group Moray Offshore Wind Developers Group- Commercial Fisheries Working Group. Marine Scotland will model socio economic impacts on fishermen of reduced fishing opportunities both short and longer term. Marine Scotland will commission a report to look into the real impacts of the construction and operation of offshore windfarms. CONSENT CONDITIONS- Annex D/ annex 2/ 31, Fisheries Liaison Annex D/ annex 2/ 32

39 Navigation ISSUES EIA Chamber of Shipping stated that the projects were in an area of relatively low shipping but raised concerns over cumulative impacts of the two projects. NLB unable to finalise requirements (Rochdale envelope) for lighting but will feed into the Development Specification and Layout Plan. ACTIONS Did not require additional actions post ES SOLUTIONS Individual developer to provide DSLP for consultation, Navigational Safety Plan, Lighting and Marking Plan (LMP) CONSENT CONDITIONS Annex D/ annex 2/ 12, NSP Annex D/ annex 2/ 17, LMP Annex D/ annex 2/ 19

40 Aviation ISSUES EIA Principal issue was impact on Radar but also concerns on Helicopter routes National Air Traffic Services (NATS) objected 28/08/2012 removed 2/12/13 (16 months from submission). Major Risk to timelines. No major problems from CAA for individual airports ACTIONS- Developer worked with NATS to agree and formalise a mitigation system this required not just an agreement in principal but a formal legal agreement. SOLUTIONS Individual Agreement between NATS and Developer CONSENT CONDITIONS Annex D/ annex 2/ 21, 22

41 Defence MOD/DIO ISSUES EIA Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Principal issue was impact on Radar objected 1/11/2012 removed final 3/6/2013 (10 months from submission). Major Risk to timelines. ACTIONS- Developer worked with DIO to agree and formalise a mitigation system this required not just an agreement in principal but a formal legal agreement. SOLUTIONS Individual Agreement between DIO and Developer. Whilst combined solutions might be feasible consented projects may not be built out on time or at all. CONSENT CONDITIONS Annex D/ annex 2/ 20

42 Visual impacts ISSUES EIA The cumulative visual impact of the two projects was assessed in the context of their individual Rochdale Envelopes. ACTIONS In early phases of the EIA this required a lot of cooperation between principal stakeholders (SNH/JNCC/Local Authorities) to agree methodologies and viewpoints. Did not require additional actions post ES. SOLUTIONS Individual - Development Specification and Layout Plan to give final details of what is being built (remove Rochdale envelope). Design Statement (DS) to show final visual layout. Ensure removal at end of use decommissioning plan to DECC. Ensure that inactive turbines are repaired or removed. NB while the cumulative visual impact was looked at there is no attempt to coordinate the combined visual impact of the two projects. CONSENT CONDITIONS DSLP Annex D/ annex 2/ 12, DS Annex D/ annex 2/ 13, Decommissioning Annex D/ annex 2/ 3, removal of devices that do not operate Annex D/ annex 2/ 5

43 Good Practice for CIA Greater emphasis on the pre-application process Regional developer groups Work collaboratively to address key issues Early engagement and continued communication with stakeholders Sharing/standardising approaches and information gathering across agencies and industry Using lessons learned from the Moray Firth to inform future applications

44 Contact Marine Scotland Licensing Operations Team Marine Laboratory PO Box Victoria Road Aberdeen AB11 (DB Direct Line +44 (0) Fax +44 (0) Web: Applications

45 Scenario Mapping for Offshore Renewable Energy in Scottish Waters David Pratt Project Lead Sectoral Marine Planning & Scenario Mapping for Offshore Renewable Energy

46 Projects at Licensing Stage - Islay - Inch Cape - Neart na Gaoithe - Forth Array - Beatrice Blues Seas Green Energy (BSGE) Plan for Offshore Wind Energy Medium-Term Areas of Search starting point for current Sectoral Plan development process In addition to BSGE: - 2 Round 3 Zones - Seagreen - MORL

47 Draft Sectoral Marine Plans Wind, Wave & Tidal Options

48 Offshore Renewables Onshore Planning Ports National Renewables Infrastructure Plan National Renewables Infrastructure Fund Strategic Grid Route to Market - Marine Grid Cable landing corridors? Raw materials Aggregate extraction marine / terrestrial? Human Resources Colleges / Re-training? Community Engagement Implications? Benefits?

49 Tiree Scenario Mapping

50 Argyll Array Tiree Scenario Mapping Onshore implications due to proposed offshore development

51 Scenario 1 O&M Base Scenario 2 Offshore Platform Scenario 3 Offshore Mothership Scenario 4 O&M Base / Mothership

52 Scenario 1-4 Projected needs Jobs on Tiree Houses on Tiree new build School Pupils primary & secondary Built Development Helicopter Flights per day return flights Population Growth

53 Potential Roll-out Scenario Mapping / Masterplanning 6 1. Forth & Tay 2. Moray Firth 3. Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters 4. Solway Firth? 5. Western Isles 6. Shetland? 7. Argyll? October

54 Project East and North East Regions Pan Scotland and Regional Issue - Realising economic development potential Consultants appointed Sept 2013 CH2M Hill Scottish Public Sector Initiative Marine Scotland, The Scottish Government, The Crown Estate, East Coast Renewables, Scottish Enterprise, and Highlands & Islands Enterprise Need to: Respect confidentiality Enterprise Agency initiatives Respect Local Government competitiveness to attract manufacturing Timetable for completion Summer 2014

55 Project Scenarios Mapping of Developer Scenarios 4 Offshore Wind Developers EDPR, Repsol, Mainstream, SSE Competition vs Co-operation, time to work together Developers will benefit from local supply chain evidence Base Project EIAs Scope of Rochdale Envelopes Socio-economic Impact Chapters Access development phasing Project pipeline and orders profiling Supply Chain, Resource Mapping & Assessment

56 East and North East Regions Manufacturing and Assembly Port Strategies Developers, Manufacturers, Ports and Local Government SE, HIE and SDI GEG identified exemplar, but others well placed However, there are significant market challenges. EMR - Developers require CfD to achieve FID Grid Connection Environmental Consent Economic Case Reduce CAPEX and OPEX, bigger turbines, less structures Access to greater wind resource Improve affordability - increased Rates of Return Supply Chain Plan Benefit realisation master-planning?

57 Questions? Further Information - Offshore Renewable Energy Planning Webpage ergy/planning Offshore Renewable Energy Planning Mailbox offshorerenewableenergy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement Addendum

Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement Addendum Non Technical Summary May 2013 Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm Non Technical Summary CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION... 1 2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT