Implementing an approach to delivering compensation strategically will provide a solution that is ecologically sound and can be scaled to deliver the Government’s 2030 and net zero targets.
The application for consent for an offshore wind farm can run to many tens of thousands of pages or more. It includes details of the design of the offshore wind farm, an Environmental Impact Assessment report, and evidence that the developer has consulted with relevant stakeholders on the project.
There are a number of tasks conducted by developers and wider stakeholders during the offshore wind consenting process - including quantifying the impacts on habitats and species such as seabirds and marine mammals, and interactions with other sea users such as commercial fisheries or maritime shipping. More clarity on assessment outcomes or acceptable solutions to environmental impacts could help streamline the consenting process for offshore wind farms, with positive outcomes for energy security, net zero targets and nature.
At present, agreeing assessment outcomes or finding solutions where impacts cannot be avoided has resulted in some consent decisions taking over 2 years to be made.
Our work is focused on areas that are currently causing delay and uncertainty in the consenting process; we are working collaboratively to resolve these.
Pathways to Growth (P2G) is the Sector Deal’s workstream focused on identifying and addressing the key environmental and consenting challenges that will be a barrier to the UK meeting its offshore wind 2030 target and playing its full role in delivering net zero. Recognising the scale of the challenge, P2G brings together government representatives, Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs), and industry across the UK’s Devolved Administrations to work together in partnership.
The work is supported by the P2G Coordination Group. This group have prioritised a list of focus areas
Maintaining an overview of all the work in consents, licencing and the environment relating to P2G
Seeking feedback from their organisations on what is already being done, or is needed to provide resolution to the identified barriers
Ensuring that these actions complement and enhance the work of existing work programmes and strategic groups;
Defining a clear road map with commitments to meet the 2030 and net-zero targets; and
Initiating new work efficiently through existing groups and bodies where gaps emerge or, if this is not possible, identify and drive the relevant means to address the gap
The P2G Co-Ordination group brings together government representatives, Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs), and industry across the UK’s Devolved Administrations to work together in partnership. This Group have identified and prioritised key focus areas that are currently causing delay and uncertainty in the consenting process. Actions to solve these issues have been identified in roadmaps – these are high level timelines showing the key actions that are planned to solve these issues. Access the roadmaps below.
Implementing an approach to delivering compensation strategically will provide a solution that is ecologically sound and can be scaled to deliver the Government’s 2030 and net zero targets.
Setting out a clear plan for how offshore wind can support Government’s net zero ambitions will provide clarity on how the marine space should be used, to ensure there is adequate area available and the necessary policy and legislation is in place to support that vision.
A clear, consistent approach that sets out how models and data are used to predict potential cumulative impacts on seabirds during the construction and operational phase will help to support more streamlined consent application discussions and consent decisions.
Implementing a more proportionate approach to EIA, will help to reduce the scale of offshore wind application documentation, and help to streamline consent application and preconstruction discharge of consent conditions.
Setting out a clear plan for how offshore wind can support Government’s net zero ambitions will provide clarity on how the marine space should be used, to ensure there is adequate area available and the necessary policy and legislation is in place to support that vision.
Providing clear guidance on how underwater noise should be managed around and within marine mammal UK Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) will provide greater certainty for marine developers and operators and streamline coordination to ensure published noise thresholds are not breached.
Providing clarity on the frameworks and measures through which biodiversity targets are to be delivered will provide greater certainty for developers and ensure that offshore wind farm sites can deliver biodiversity benefits.
The OWIC Environment and Consents team are currently working on a series of pilot studies to inform the approach to strategic compensation around offshore wind farms. These aim to improve the shared understanding of environmental compensation options relating to offshore wind’s interface with nature, and better coordinate the consenting process for offshore wind projects. This project draws on funds from the The Crown Estate's Offshore Wind Evidence and Change Programme (OWEC) with significant contributions from participating Offshore Wind Industry Council members. Project outputs will be integral to collaborative work by offshore wind industry, Government and stakeholders.
(Header image: Scroby Sands offshore wind farm)
