Northern Ireland's offshore energy potential moves a step closer
Monday, 14 December 2009Northern Ireland’s offshore renewable energy potential has moved another step closer to realisation.
That was the message from the Energy Minister, Arlene Foster as she announced the launch of the draft DETI Strategic Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan 2009-2020 and its associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). A SEA assesses environmental issues that must be taken into early consideration when developing plans and programmes, with a view to promoting sustainable development.
The Minister said: “Increasing renewables is an imperative for Northern Ireland.
“To date, onshore wind has provided us with most of our renewable electricity and, while we will continue to develop this resource, we need to develop more of our natural assets to contribute to the challenging 40% renewable electricity 2020 targets I proposed in the draft Strategic Energy Framework earlier this year.
“Our proposals to develop offshore wind and marine renewables have been subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment. That assessment considers that a substantial capacity could be developed, without significant adverse effects on the environment or other marine users. It has also identified a range of mitigating actions which will be taken forward as we make progress with the plans.”
The main potential for offshore wind is on the North and South East coasts and tidal stream off the North coast. While wave resource has been identified, it is more limited and has not been included in the proposed targets.
The marine environment is a shared resource with many stakeholder interests such as environment and ecology, fishing, shipping routes, ferry traffic, tourism as well as renewable energy.
The SEA process, which is an EU requirement, has examined the potential impact of offshore wind and marine renewables on the interests of all stakeholders.
Arlene Foster added: “I am proposing to establish an Offshore Renewable Energy Forum to advise DETI on the implementation of the draft Strategic Action Plan and the actions arising from the SEA. I am keen to work further with those Departments and Agencies with marine responsibilities and with whom we have worked to date.
“I am also keen to engage further with the offshore renewable sector and stakeholders with an interest in this area. I am committed to developing Northern Ireland’s offshore renewable sector but this must be done sustainably.
“The development of this sector helps us address energy diversity and security and will also contribute to greenhouse gas reduction.
“It also offers business and employment opportunities to Northern Ireland firms, including our ports and harbours, within this growing national and international market.
“The launch today of these draft documents for a three month consultation is an important first step to realising the potential of offshore renewable energy.
“I want to ensure that our proposals are right for Northern Ireland and I would therefore seek comments from a wide range of stakeholders on our proposals.”
Commenting on the Energy Minister’s announcement, Rob Hastings, Head of the Marine Estate at The Crown Estate, said: “The marine renewable sector is a growth industry with an exciting future.
“The Crown Estate is very keen to play our part in enabling offshore renewables in Northern Ireland. We look forward to working with DETI over the coming months to develop the programme for commercial projects later in 2010-2011.”
Notes to editors:
1. Northern Ireland’s current renewable energy target is 12% of electricity consumption to be met from indigenous renewable resources by 2012; of this 12 %, 15% to be from non- wind resource. Current renewable electricity level stands at 8.5% and it is expected that the target will be met, mainly from onshore wind.
2. The overall aim of the draft Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan is to optimise the amount of electricity generated from offshore wind and marine ( wave and tidal )renewable resources in Northern Ireland waters in order to enhance diversity and security of supply, reduce carbon emissions, contribute to the proposed renewable electricity targets by 2020 and beyond and develop business and employment opportunities for Northern Ireland companies.
3. It proposes a target of at least 600MW of offshore wind and 300 MW from tidal resources by 2020. To support this aim and target, it sets out, for consultation, a range of operational, regulatory and legislative actions to facilitate such development.
4. The draft Strategic Action has been the subject of a Strategic Environmental Assessment, an EU Directive requirement, which ensures that the impact of key development plans on the environment and other users is considered at an early stage in their development. It has assessed the potential impact of offshore renewable energy developments over a large number of topics such as water, biodiversity, fish, mammals, cultural heritage, population and human health, landscape and seascape and climactic factors.
5. The SEA identified key actions, on which the Offshore Renewable Energy Forum would advise DETI as follows, a cross departmental approach to addressing strategic data and knowledge gaps; a “deploy and monitor “phased approach to the deployment of offshore renewable technologies; locational guidance for developers and a project level mitigation strategy to ensure that the mitigating actions identified in the SEA are considered at the project stage of development.
6. DETI has led a Project Steering Group to oversee this SEA work including representation from the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, DARD, the Agri Food and Science Institute, DRD, DCAL, DOE, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, The Crown Estate and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
7. The Crown Estate has a property portfolio which includes ancient forests, farms, parkland, coastline, including much of the seabed, shops, offices and homes.
8. All the documentation relating to this consultation can be found on a dedicated website www.offshorenergyni.co.uk The consultation will close on 8 March 2010.
9. For media enquiries, please contact DETI Press Office on 028 90529297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager Number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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