CAPABILITY STATEMENT ONSHORE WIND POWER SECTOR SERVICES.

Transcription

1 CAPABILITY STATEMENT ONSHORE WIND POWER SECTOR SERVICES

2 SINCE ITS FORMATION IN ABERDEEN IN 1989, RSK HAS EVOLVED INTO THE UK S LARGEST PRIVATELY OWNED ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANCY AND IT IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES OF ITS KIND IN EUROPE. As a fully integrated environmental, engineering, and health and safety services company employing 1015 technical staff in offices across the UK and worldwide, RSK provides support to organisations in resolving and managing their environmental, engineering, sustainability and health and safety issues. The company is one of few in its sector to have achieved certification to the ISO 9001, ISO and OHSAS standards for quality, environmental management and health and safety management. 2

3 THE RSK DIFFERENCE MAJOR ONSHORE WIND POWER PROJECT EXPERIENCE RSK has gained a wealth of experience in the onshore wind sector through large-scale (more than five turbines) wind farms, extensions to existing wind farms and smaller-scale (fewer than five turbines) wind farms. RSK s client portfolio includes onshore wind farm developers such as Peel Energy, RWE Innogy UK, EDF Energy Renewables, Force 9 Energy, Coriolis Energy and Wind Prospect Developments 2. From the planning stage through to construction and operation, our staff members have been involved in numerous onshore wind projects, including Frodsham wind farm, Cheshire (19 turbines, 57 MW); Taff Ely wind farm repowering, Bridgend (7 turbines, 17.5 MW); Spaldington Airfield wind farm, East Riding of Yorkshire (5 turbines, 12.5 MW); Aikengall wind farm, East Lothian (16 turbines, 48 MW); and Blackwood wind farm, Dumfries and Galloway (5 turbines, 10 MW). With guaranteed quality and proven environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes, we can undertake a complete service for onshore wind power projects. Our services include n screening n scoping n identification of high-level constraints and opportunities n preliminary design advice n cable routing studies n detailed baseline surveys, including protected species n landscape and visual impact assessments (LVIA) n ecological assessments n noise and vibration studies n geology and ground conditions n archaeology and cultural heritage studies n shadow flicker analyses n project management of specialist subcontractors n stakeholder management and public exhibitions n expert witness and oral hearing services. FROM THE PLANNING STAGE THROUGH TO CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION, OUR STAFF MEMBERS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS ONSHORE WIND PROJECTS. 3

4 Streamlining the development process We provide services for companies and consortia involved with onshore wind power developments throughout the UK and internationally. Our specialist technical expertise adds value at every stage from conception through to decommissioning. We contribute to cost-effective and robust designs, support timely project delivery and help to overcome obstacles in the planning system. RSK delivers innovative solutions to the many challenges faced by the renewable energy industry. We utilise best practice coupled with the most up-to-date tools and techniques to gain development consents and permits, and discharge planning conditions and requirements. Regulatory and planning authority relations RSK can provide strategic guidance to help organisations address the plethora of environmental policies, legislation and regulations relating to wind farms. We have broad experience of helping our clients to meet all the requirements of pertinent and emerging legislation, including the Planning Act We have demonstrated our ability to develop excellent relations with industry regulators and planning authorities. Planning consent for complex applications RSK has considerable experience of negotiating and obtaining consents and permits. We can advise on the increasingly complex nature of consent applications for planning, waste and other environmental issues. By identifying issues early, proposing mitigation measures that are feasible within the constraints of the proposed design and integrating the design, mitigation options and development proposals before submission of the final environmental statement (ES) and authorisation documents, RSK can help to minimise planning- and environment-related constraints. Environmental and socio-economic impacts A broad-based team of in-house specialists provides services and advice for a diverse range of environmental and socio-economic impacts. These include areas such as landscape and visual, noise and vibration, shadow flicker, ecology, archaeology, geology and air quality. Understanding the wider context of development decisions in site layout RSK evaluates and identifies options to overcome potential problems for proposed developments at an early stage. The issues and constraints considered in site layout could relate to existing or proposed wind farms, environmentally protected and sensitive areas, conservation zones, geology and existing utilities. Optimisation of mitigation measures Our in-house team of EIA specialists, engineers, landscape architects and ecologists is supplemented by the expertise of our planning consultants. They ensure that impacts are mitigated and managed in a cost-effective and timely manner, and do not unduly constrain the utility and feasibility of a development. Active stakeholder engagement management We can conduct the entire stakeholder engagement process, from feasibility, citing and design through to ensuring that practical mitigation measures are built into the commitments register of the ES and delivered during construction and operation. Our RSK Community Consultation Dashboard tool enables large numbers of diverse responses to be analysed efficiently and cost-effectively, and the data to be represented on scalable maps, plans or satellite images. 4

5 OUR SPECIALIST TECHNICAL EXPERTISE ADDS VALUE AT EVERY STAGE FROM CONCEPTION THROUGH TO DECOMMISSIONING. Provision of technical experts for public inquiries and oral hearings RSK s specialists are involved throughout the planning process and provide expert testimony at public inquiries and oral hearings. Their expertise and experience in qualifying environmental impacts and managing the mitigation measures have been rigorously challenged and tested at the highest levels and during all stages of the regulatory process. Assistance in gaining planning authorisations for new infrastructure We have successfully provided an environmental scheme planning, optioneering and ES preparation service that has enabled our clients to achieve planning consent for more than 200 separate, major public- and private-sector developments throughout the UK, including nationally significant infrastructure projects. Matching in-house resource to specific project needs RSK tailors the composition of its specific technical teams to the exact needs of each project. We have more than 1000 in-house specialists across all our disciplines. In addition, we have access to an even wider array of highly experienced and qualified subconsultants who we can call on to assist us when required. RSK has a resource of professionals with first-hand experience of onshore wind projects. RSK is a member of RenewableUK and is committed to using this forum to share experience and expertise along with presenting academic papers and publishing articles. 5

6 OUR SERVICES We provide clients with professional and technical support at several levels. We offer a wide range of specialist advice, design and consenting services for onshore wind projects, from feasibility, high-level appraisal, planning, permitting and design through construction to commissioning and operation. PROJECT MANAGEMENT From project inception, initial scoping, consultation and baseline assessment, site planning, impact assessment and mitigation through to assistance with communication and public consultation, and preparing ESs and management plans, RSK s experienced project managers can provide project management services for onshore wind energy projects. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Developing and maintaining good stakeholder relations is key to the success of onshore wind energy developments. RSK offers a comprehensive, integrated stakeholder engagement service that can cover all stages of a project, from conception through to post-operation. We ensure that engagement satisfies developers legal obligations while avoiding needless delays by identifying areas of real local importance, so that concerns can be addressed before they become problems. RSK has proven expertise in managing community and stakeholder expectations, and in facilitating community involvement. ECOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS RSK is one of the UK s largest specialist ecological service providers. We carry out phase 1 habitat surveys and surveys of protected animal and plant species; provide practical advice on mitigation measures and working with wildlife; obtain the necessary licences; and oversee habitat restoration and creation, species translocation and other ecological mitigation works. ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE RSK s in-house archaeological and heritage consultants provide environmental solutions for a wide variety of industries. RSK is a registered organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. The register is a rigorous quality assurance scheme for archaeologists and is a kite mark demonstrating the quality of RSK s archaeological work, which is recognised by the professional body for archaeology in the UK. Our archaeological consultancy services include desk-based assessments, walkover surveys, archaeological audits, historic landscape assessments, expert witness, watching briefs and archaeological monitoring. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL RSK is a registered practice with the Landscape Institute, of which our senior landscape team are all Chartered members. Our landscape architects have provided landscape consultancy support for a diverse client base, including government departments, renewable energy developers, planning consultants, multinational companies, local authorities and property companies. Our consultants combine strong traditional skills with innovative techniques and cutting-edge technology for optimal accuracy and presentation style. The landscape team specialises in the preparation of detailed LVIAs and cumulative landscape and visual impact assessments (CLVIA), having undertaken studies for a wide range of onshore wind projects in the UK and overseas. NOISE AND VIBRATION RSK s specialist acousticians have substantial experience of managing and delivering a range of projects, from architectural acoustic design, planning support and environmental permitting to large-scale EIAs. RSK s exposure to large-scale international projects provides the team with experience of interpreting and working with UK and international guidance, standards and legislation. RSK provides clients with efficient and innovative ways of solving a host of noise and vibration problems. PROVEN EXPERTISE IN MANAGING COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER EXPECTATIONS 6

7 AIR QUALITY The air quality team conducts air quality impact assessments to identify environmental constraints to future developments or variations to existing schemes to meet legislation and develop the most cost-effective mitigation measures where required. RSK s dedicated team of environmental scientists and chemical engineers provides tailored, cost-effective advice identifying the most appropriate emission reduction measures for clients. GEOLOGY AND GROUND CONDITIONS RSK has considerable experience of all aspects of work relating to soil, geology and contaminated land issues. Our consultants have expertise in various fields, including geology, contaminated land, civil engineering, hydrogeology, risk assessment and waste management issues. HYDROLOGY RSK provide flood risk management services involving the construction of watercourse models and their verification against known flood events. An important component of this is the integration of the topographical and channel cross-section data that are collected for the watercourse model. RSK s combined resources offer seamless transition of the data. RSK is experienced in integrated methods of flood risk management and takes a multi-agency approach that pulls together sewers, highway drainage, land drainage and rivers, and accounts for both flooding and environmental impacts. TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT RSK s nationwide transport planning services provide assistance at each phase of a development, from site feasibility through the planning application, to supporting the discharge of conditions and Section 106 negotiations. We have successfully delivered consultancy support for a diverse client base, including energy suppliers, house builders and property developers. We have extensive experience across a broad range of development types and offer innovative solutions that meet the demands of the transport network. SOCIO-ECONOMICS RSK s socio-economic team provides integrated stakeholder engagement, community consultation and socio-economic assessment services during the EIA and consenting phases for onshore wind projects. There are numerous benefits to this integrated approach: input from the socio-economic team can be used to inform the development of a community consultation scheme and the stakeholder engagement process can improve the robustness of the socio-economic assessment. RISK MANAGEMENT We provide services for policymakers, regulators, onshore wind and other infrastructure owners and operators, project promoters, designers and contractors. Our services cover business and strategic risk assessments, and project risk and safety risk consultancy to help identify and minimise the risks to organisations and to comply with legislation. ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING RSK develops and delivers bespoke training solutions to meet the needs of its clients, including high-level targeted responsibility and awareness training for board members and management staff right through to toolbox talks for site operatives. Popular topics in RSK training modules include CDM coordinators and senior management staff for client duties and responsibilities; CDM for designers and contractors; environmental awareness; environmental management plans and construction management; health and safety and environmental auditing; nature conservation and biodiversity; and materials and waste management plans. AIR PHOTOGRAPHY, SURVEYS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS RSK Orbital, an RSK company, specialises in data capture, including air photography and project visualisation, to aid decision making and support public and other stakeholder consultation and regulatory specifications. RSK also undertakes land-based topographic surveys and routinely utilises geographic information systems (GIS) in its project delivery. 7

8 CASE STUDIES FRODSHAM WIND FARM, UK RSK delivered the EIA for the proposed Frodsham wind farm on behalf of Peel Energy, in north-western England. The EIA comprised archaeology and cultural heritage assessments; hydrology and flood risk analyses; protected species surveys; noise assessments; socio-economic aspects; telecommunication and aviation; geology; hydrogeology and ground conditions; and shadow flicker. RSK also delivered more detailed ecological and ornithological surveys, LVIAs, a residential assessment and photomontage visualisations, and provided technical support at public exhibitions. With a local media and political expert, RSK delivered a comprehensive stakeholder engagement service. Desk-based stakeholder analysis identified key groups and individuals in the community. A traffic-light system was applied to their perceived levels of resistance to the development to identify and mitigate the risk groups. This was underpinned by an earlywarning system of informal, low-key feedback to shape the communication programme. GLENS OF FOUDLAND WIND FARM CAPACITY INCREASE, UK GLID Wind Farms Topco, a company 50% owned by Centrica, commissioned RSK to provide EIA and planning support for a proposed seven-turbine expansion project for the Glens of Foudland wind farm. This is a 26-MW, 20-turbine scheme located on and around the Hill of Bainshole and Play Hill near Huntly, Aberdeenshire. RSK undertook a year of bird monitoring, prepared the scoping report and led the consultations with key stakeholders such as Aberdeenshire Council and Scottish Natural Heritage. We prepared all the chapters of the environmental assessment, arranged and led design workshops, provided public information display boards and leaflets, attended public exhibitions and wrote the planning statement in support of the application. Since submission of the planning application, RSK has been involved in addressing consultee comments and liaising with Aberdeenshire Council on behalf of the client. The project is currently on hold following the recent sale of Centrica s stake in the business to a third party. MILFORD HAVEN WIND TURBINES, UK Total commissioned RSK to undertake an EIA for the Milford Haven wind turbine project in South Wales. The EIA included assessments of landscape and visual impact, noise, aviation, ecology, archaeology, physical environment, safety, and cumulative impact. RSK also assisted with community engagement in the form of public exhibitions and advised on the planning application for a 60-m meteorological mast. Concerns were raised as to the proximity of the project to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail. In response, RSK undertook a zone of theoretical visibility study and walked various sections of the coast path making observations and taking photographs. The report of this study contributed to the overall visual assessment. Working alongside Peel Energy, a series of communication materials was developed and subsequently presented to the statutory stakeholders and used during the public consultation days. The community consultation process continued through wind farm visits, a wind farm community group, newsletter updates, an education campaign and a second public exhibition in order to update the community on how the proposed development had been adapted following public consultation. Owing to the site s close proximity to the Pembrokeshire special area of marine conservation and site of special scientific interest and the nature of the local road network, it became apparent from initial transport appraisals that the delivery of the largest turbine sections was not achievable solely by road. The solution was to transport these sections by barge into Gelliswick Bay and complete the journey to site by road. Several transport options were considered, with the final preferred option being considered as part of the EIA. The development was reported in the local, regional and national media: Peel representatives appeared on television and regional radio to discuss the development. The development gained consent in October 2012 following a public inquiry at which RSK provided expert witness services. 8

9 LONGPARK WIND FARM, UK On behalf of Wind Prospect Developments, RSK undertook a comprehensive LVIA for a proposed wind farm in Stow, Galashiels on the Scottish Borders. When the application was refused, RSK presented expert witness evidence at the resultant public inquiry and was successful in proving to the reporter that the design and compact layout of Longpark complemented the key characteristics and features of the prevailing landscape character type. The application was subsequently consented in 2007 and construction of the wind farm was completed in 2009/2010. In 2013, the developer proposed a 10-turbine extension (20 MW) and subsequently commissioned RSK to undertake the LVIA. The ES was submitted to Scottish Borders Council in April The council s response raised several objections, primarily on the grounds of significant effects on landscape character. Scottish National Heritage did not raise an objection but recommended changes to the height of the western turbines and removal of certain turbines, primarily to the north. RSK undertook a series of design reviews that resulted in a revised proposal for a five-turbine extension (10 MW) giving an overall combined development of 24 turbines (48 MW). Throughout both the original application for the 19-turbine development and the extension application, RSK sought to balance the need to minimise the adverse effects on the prevailing landscape character with the economic aspirations of the developer, while also addressing the concerns of statutory and non-statutory consultees. The resultant large-scale wind farm of 24 turbines offers a successful and complementary fit within the local and wider landscapes. BLACKWOOD WIND FARM, UK Force 9 Energy commissioned RSK to prepare an ES for the proposed Blackwood wind farm. The development would be located within the Blackwood Estate, near Auldgirth, approximately 14 km north of Dumfries, and adjacent to the west of the existing Dalswinton wind farm. The development would consist of five wind turbines, along with a small substation and a permanent weather mast. RSK s landscape team played a key role in the design of the project through the production of the LVIA and CLVIA. The key priority for this project was to ensure that the proposed wind farm appeared as a logical extension to the existing operational Dalswinton wind farm. This was achieved through a detailed fieldwork and desk-based analysis to gain a sound understanding of the landscape of the site. Members of the landscape team also attended public exhibitions, where, through wireline images based on the scoping layout, local residents were able to understand what the wind farm might look like from their properties; feedback from the public exhibitions contributed towards the overall design layout. Following the detailed site analysis and feedback from the public exhibitions, RSK provided design advice on how best to achieve the design objective, which resulted in using two turbine heights. Using taller turbine towers located in a shallow valley between the operational wind farm and on the edge of the proposed site would enable the proposed wind farm to appear as a coherent extension. This was especially critical in key views from the Nith Valley. Following the design freeze, the landscape team carried out further fieldwork to assess the proposed scheme from agreed viewpoints and the potential impacts on the landscape character and designations within the study area. Through photomontages, RSK was able to clearly explore and evaluate the potential cumulative impacts of the development. 9

10 RSK S DEDICATED TEAM OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, ECOLOGISTS, ARCHAEOLOGISTS, HYDROLOGISTS AND OTHER SPECIALISTS PROVIDES TAILORED, COST-EFFECTIVE ADVICE, IDENTIFYING THE MOST APPROPRIATE MITIGATION MEASURES. DEUCHRIES WIND FARM, UK Force 9 Energy commissioned RSK s landscape team to conduct an LVIA and CLVIA as part of the EIA for the Deuchries wind farm. The proposed development consists of three wind turbines with a maximum height to blade tip of 100 m and an installed generating capacity of up to 6.9 MW. RSK carried out detailed fieldwork and desk-based analysis to gain a sound understanding of the baseline landscape and the visual context of the site and study area. A landscape architect was present at the public exhibitions and listened to the concerns expressed by local residents and produced computer-generated 3D wirelines visualisations so that local residents could understand what the wind farm might look like from their properties. The design of the wind farm was informed by the baseline landscape and visual studies and feedback from the exhibitions, along with wider environmental data and constraints gathered by other technical specialists within RSK. Following the design freeze, RSK carried out further fieldwork to assess the impacts on landscape character, designations and visual amenity of the 35-km study area, and then produced a detailed LVIA report for inclusion in the ES. The close proximity of the proposed wind farm to another wind farm that had recently gained planning consent meant that the cumulative landscape and visual impacts of these developments was a key issue. RSK s advice led to the scheme being designed to take advantage of the natural screening provided by the surrounding landform and thus reduce potential cumulative effects. The application gained planning consent in April SCOUT MOOR WIND FARM EXTENSION, UK Peel Energy commissioned RSK to provide the LVIA and graphics for a proposed extension to the existing Scout Moor wind farm. The scheme included the erection of 16 wind turbines located on land to the north and between the existing turbines. Using ReSoft WindFarm, Adobe Creative Cloud and ArcGIS software, the RSK visualisation and GIS team worked efficiently to meet an extremely challenging deadline and produce a range of high-quality, accurate visualisations that informed each subsequent stage of planning for this important scheme. During the early stages of the project, several preliminary wireline visualisations and zone of theoretical visibility figures were created to assist the design process. Viewpoint surveys and photographs were captured and various design iterations were considered. On design freeze, the RSK team presented a full suite of supporting graphics and visualisations to inform the LVIA. The 29 viewpoints were assessed in detail and more than 300 graphics were produced, including designation and topographic plans, zone of theoretical visibility figures, sequential graphics and wireline, photomontage and cumulative wireline visualisations. Following Scottish Natural Heritage guidelines ( Visual Representation of Wind Farms, December 2014), which are considered the most comprehensive in the industry, RSK produced wireframe and photomontage deliverables in cylindrical and planar projections. As part of the proposed development s life cycle, existing turbines will need to be removed in Therefore, a second scenario showing the effect of removing the existing wind farm was illustrated. Photorealistic renders were created alongside highquality wireline and cumulative wireline visualisations, thereby helping Peel Energy to visualise the evolution of the Scout Moor wind farm over time. 10

11 OUR CLIENTS Arcus Consultancy Services BP Alternative Energy International Community Windpower Coriolis Energy EDF Energy Renewables Falck Renewables Force 9 Energy Nilo Energy Novera Energy Partnerships for Renewables Peel Energy RDC Developments RWE Innogy UK RWE npower SSE Airtricity Total West Coast Energy Wind Prospect Developments Wind Prospect Developments 2 11

12 For further information, visit us at or contact: South East Contact: Peter Whipp, Tel: +44 (0) South West Contact: Victoria Robinson, Tel: +44 (0) North West, North East, Midlands, North Wales and Ireland Contact: Rob Domeney, Tel: +44 (0) or Contact: Wendy Hogben, Tel: +44 (0) Scotland Contact: Joe Somerville, Tel: +44 (0) RSK Group plc has achieved certification to the ISO 9001, ISO and OHSAS standards for quality, environmental and health and safety management. M0361_2