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Offshore renewables

The UK climate change programme set out a range of measures for meeting the Kyoto protocol target of a reduction in green house gas emissions and moving towards a domestic goal of 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2010. The Governments energy white paper (2003) also set out policy on renewable energy and confirmed a target of 10% of electricity generated from renewables by 2010, rising to 20% by 2020.

Among the current initiatives in the offshore shore sector in the south west of England are the Wave Hub, off the Cornish coast at Hayle, and the Marine Current Turbines tidal device off the North Devon coast at Lynmouth. At present however, the offshore wind sector is the most advanced of the offshore renewable technologies with several windfarms commissioned and others advancing through the licensing procedures.

Nevertheless, in order to meet our Kyoto targets through development of renewables, the Government embarked on an extensive programme of research to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts of offshore windfarms. This programme is coordinated by the Research Advisory Group (RAG) created by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which comprises representatives of those organizations with regulatory responsibilities.

Current research projects include:

• Aerial surveys of water birds in strategic windfarm areas
• Development of generic guidance for sediment transport monitoring programmes
• Methodology for assessing marine navigation safety risks of offshore windfarms.

In parallel with research currently being considered by RAG, The Crown Estate has a programme of research underway through COWRIE (Collaborative Offshore Wind Research into the Environment).

PML research with potential for application in the offshore renewables sector includes:

• Evaluating the impacts of offshore renewables on marine biodiversity, including potential for habitat enhancement / restoration through use of No-Take-Zones or other management measures
• Identifying potential for aquaculture, including use of shellfish models to assess carrying capacity
• Assessment of the impacts of turbines and other structures on coastal processes, including site-based hydrodynamic and sediment transport modelling studies
• Integration of socio-economic aspects into development appraisal