Marine spatial plan set for Pentland Firth and Orkney waters

 
The pilot Marine Spatial Plan has been prepared for the Pentland Firth and Orkney (PFOW) waters which will guide the development activity in the area, including the renewable energy generation.

The pilot Marine Spatial Plan sets out an integrated planning policy framework to guide marine development, activities and management decisions, whilst ensuring the quality of the marine environment is protected.

These activities include renewable energy generation, fishing, tourism, recreation, aquaculture, shipping, and oil and gas.

When it comes to renewable energy generation, there are seven plan options for the PFOW area – one for wind, two for wave and four for tidal.

“The Plan Option areas represent the strategic development zones in which commercial scale projects should be sited although it is not expected that the whole of each Plan Option area will be fully developed. Plan Options are considered the preferred strategic locations for the sustainable development of offshore wind and marine renewables. Developers can propose using areas outwith these Plan Options but this may present a higher risk in consenting terms,” it is stated in the Plan.

The PFOW area has seven Crown Estate agreements for lease (ASLs) that can be used for marine renewable energy development, which are considered as ‘planned development at the licensing stage’ for the Plan.

A further five areas are leased to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) for sea trials, two of which are not planned to be grid connected.

The Plan also highlights the potential synergies between the emerging wave and tidal energy sectors, and the existing, more established sectors and activities.

James Stockan, Chair of OIC’s Development and Infrastructure Committee, said: “The first Marine Spatial Plan for Orkney waters and the Pentland Firth is an important step forward. It has an important role to play in supporting sustainable economic growth, guiding the right development in the right places, whilst safeguarding our outstanding marine and coastal environment.”

The pilot PFOW Marine Spatial Plan has been developed by a working group consisting of Marine Scotland, Orkney Islands Council and Highland Council.

The final pilot Plan will be used by the Marine Scotland Licensing Operations Team (MS-LOT) as a material consideration in the determination of marine licensing and section 36 consent applications within the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters area.

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