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The Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation published in June 2008 set out the Government’s proposals for a ten-fold increase in our use of renewable energy. The UK has access to substantial onshore and offshore wind resources and, as relatively mature technologies, we expect them to play a large part in delivering the planned expansion.
BERR is conducting an Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of a Draft Plan to hold further rounds of offshore wind leasing, offshore oil and gas licensing and licensing of gas storage in hydrocarbon reservoirs in UK waters.
For offshore wind leasing, the SEA covers the UK Renewable Energy Zone and the territorial waters of England and Wales where the water depth is around 60m or less. It does not include Scottish territorial waters or the territorial waters of Northern Ireland.
The Offshore Energy SEA Scoping Compilation was published on 4 June 2008.
In September 2008 an SEA Expert Assessment Workshop was held, and in September and October a series of Stakeholder Dialogue Sessions took place.
On 26 January 2009, DECC published the Offshore Energy SEA Environmental Report for consultation. The consultation will close on 22 April 2009. Information on how to respond to the consultation is available on the Offshore Energy SEA website.
Following the consultation, a post-consultation report will be compiled, and the Government will announce its decision on the acceptable level of offshore wind development in Sprint 2009.
In parallel with the Offshore Energy SEA, in June 2008 the Crown Estate launched Round 3 of offshore wind leasing. This was followed with an invitation to negotiate, issued to pre-registered companies, in September 2008. Bids are due by 3 March 2009, allowing Crown Estate to begin making awards under Round 3 following the Government’s decision on the SEA in Spring 2009.
Information regarding site leasing arrangements for Round 3 of offshore wind farms, and a copy of the Crown Estate press release launching Round 3, can be found on the Crown Estate (CE) website.
In addition to conducting the Offshore Energy SEA, DECC is undertaking a wide range of work to facilitate the deployment of offshore wind in UK waters. Further information on this wider work is available on the Offshore Wind: Facilitating Deployment page (update to the page in progress).
Information on the Government’s policy for commercial offshore wind farms is available in the publication “Future Offshore”.
For information for developers seeking development consents for the construction of electricity generating stations and for overhead lines, please go to the Electricity Development Consents page.
For information on offshore wind farms under construction and those generating electricity for the grid network, please visit the British Wind Energy Association website.
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