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Potential of offshore wind energy
29/10/2008
Offshore wind energy in Scottish territorial waters is to undergo strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to establish a clear and consistent approach to future development.
The Scottish Government study will ensure the significant offshore wind resource is developed consistently.
The move follows a strong response from developers to The Crown Estate's call for applications for offshore wind developments within Scottish territorial waters earlier this year. Fourteen developer companies and consortia have applied to The Crown Estate for 23 potential sites widely distributed around Scotland.
Energy Minister Jim Mather said:
"The response to The Crown Estate's application process for offshore wind has been huge. Scotland has 25 per cent of Europe's wind potential and there is clearly a lot of interest in exploiting the resource in our shallower territorial waters. Offshore wind is developing at an exciting and rapid pace and development further offshore in deeper water is now feasible.
"By undertaking an environmental assessment of territorial waters now, we can ensure that there is a clear approach to enabling development that is consistent with environmental protection and sustainable development. Having a clear understanding of the available resource will benefit developers and Government alike. That way, we can work together to generate clean energy, build on the renewables surge of recent weeks and months - worth nearly £1 billion to our economy - and make Scotland the green energy capital of Europe."
The Crown Estate currently owns the sea bed out to 12 nautical miles. Following the evaluation process of applications for offshore wind, which The Crown Estate expects to complete in December, successful applicants will be granted exclusive development rights to a given area. The grant of any lease to allow development will be subject to a favourable SEA outcome, site specific environmental impact assessment and regulatory consent.
The Scottish Government will prioritise completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment within one year. This process will run alongside The Crown Estate's evaluation of applications.
Ian Pritchard, Head of Offshore Operations at The Crown Estate, said:
"We welcome the decision by the Scottish Government to undertake a SEA. It will help ensure that potential environmental issues are understood and addressed in advance of offshore wind sites within Scottish territorial waters being developed."