18.13. Proposed Monitoring

  1. This section outlines the proposed monitoring proposed for socio-economic impacts. Proposed monitoring measures are outlined in Table 18.38   Open ▸ below.

 

Table 18.38:
Proposed Monitoring and the Method of Implementation for Socio-Economics

Table 18.38: Proposed Monitoring and the Method of Implementation for Socio-Economics

 

18.14. Transboundary Effects

  1. The assessment has considered the economic impact in Scotland and the UK, as well as the potential economic impacts associated with the construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning phases. However, a significant proportion of expenditure is also expected to take place in the EU and elsewhere in the world, which will generate beneficial economic impacts.

                        Construction phase

  1. In addition to expenditure of £3.3 billion in Scotland and £0.7 billion in rUK, there is expected to be expenditure of £1.9 billion in the EU and £1.7 billion elsewhere in the world. This largest category of expenditure is expected to be wind turbine engines, which are typically manufactured in the EU. This will generate economic activity and support employment in the EU and elsewhere.
  2. While there are likely to be beneficial transboundary socio-economic effects associated with the Array, given the scale of the EU and global economies, it is therefore considered likely that, at most, there will be a negligible beneficial transboundary effect.

 

Table 18.39:
Array Construction Expenditure

Table 18.39: Array Construction Expenditure

                        Operation and maintenance phase

  1. In addition to an annual expenditure of £65 million in Scotland and £137 million in rUK, there is expected to be an expenditure of £16 million in the EU and £9 million elsewhere in the world. This is expected to lead to beneficial socio-economic effects, generating economic activity and supporting employment in the EU and elsewhere. Given the scale of the EU and global economies, it is considered likely that there will be a negligible beneficial effect.

 

Table 18.40:
Array Operation and Maintenance Expenditure

Table 18.40: Array Operation and Maintenance Expenditure

 

                        Decommissioning phase

  1. In addition to decommissioning expenditure of £52 million in Scotland and the UK, there is expected to be an expenditure of £122 million in the EU elsewhere in the world. This is expected to lead to beneficial socio-economic effects, generating economic activity and supporting employment in the EU and elsewhere. Given the scale of the EU and global economies, it is considered likely that there will be a negligible beneficial effect.
Table 18.41:
Array Decommissioning Expenditure

Table 18.41: Array Decommissioning Expenditure

 

18.15. Inter-Related Effects (and Ecosystem Assessment)

  1. For socio-economics, the following potential impacts have been considered within the inter-related effects assessment:
  • employment and GVA impacts associated with the construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning of the Array; and
  • demographic changes and demand for housing and other services.
  1. Table 18.42   Open ▸ lists the inter-related effects (Array lifetime effects) that are predicted to arise during the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning phases of the Array and also the inter-related effects (receptor-led effects) that are predicted to arise for socio-economic receptors.

Table 18.42:
Summary of Likely Significant Potential Inter-Related Effects for Socio-economics from Individual Effects Occurring across the Construction, Operation and Maintenance and Decommissioning Phases of the Array (Array Lifetime Effects) and from Multiple Effects Interacting Across all Phases (Receptor-led Effects)

Table 18.42:  Summary of Likely Significant Potential Inter-Related Effects for Socio-economics from Individual Effects Occurring across the Construction, Operation and Maintenance and Decommissioning Phases of the Array (Array Lifetime Effects) and from Multiple Effects Interacting Across all Phases (Receptor-led Effects)

 

18.16. Summary of Impacts, Mitigation, Likely Significant Effects and Monitoring

  1. Table 18.43   Open ▸ presents a summary of the potential impacts, designed in measures and the conclusion of LSE1 in EIA terms in respect to socio-economics. The impacts assessed include:
  • employment and GVA impact associated with construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning, including:

–           economic impact in the Scotland and the UK;

–           economic impact at Construction Port(s)

–           economic impact at Operation and Maintenance Port(s); and

–           contribution the UK energy sector.

  • demographic changes and demand for housing and other services, including:

–           population;

–           housing demand and availability;

–           other local services; and

–           socio-cultural impacts.

  • changes to visitor behaviour;
  • changes to commercial fisheries; and
  • changes to shipping and marine recreation.
  1. Overall, it is concluded that there will be the following LSE1 arising from the Array during the construction, operation and maintenance or decommissioning phases:
  • a temporary, beneficial and moderate significant effect on the Scottish economy, during the construction phase of the Array and
  • a beneficial and moderate significant effect on the UK energy system due to the increased supply of renewable electricity from the Array.
  1. Table 18.44   Open ▸ presents a summary of the potential impacts, designed in measures and the conclusion of LSE1 on socio-economics in EIA terms. The cumulative effects assessed include:
  • employment and GVA impact associated with construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning of the Array, including:

–           economic impacts of Ossian in Scotland and the UK;

–           increased offshore wind supply chain in Scotland and the rest of the UK; and

–           increased competition for resources.

  • demographic changes and demand for housing and other services, including:

–           population;

–           housing demand and availability;

–           other local services; and

–           socio-cultural impacts.

  • changes to visitor behaviour;
  • changes to commercial fisheries; and
  • changes to shipping and marine recreation.
  1. Overall, it is concluded that there will be the following likely significant cumulative effects from the Array alongside other projects/plans:
  • a temporary, beneficial and moderate significant effect on the Scottish economy, during the construction phase.
  1. No likely significant transboundary effects have been identified in regard to effects of the Array.

 

Table 18.43:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Secondary Mitigation and Monitoring

Table 18.43: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Secondary Mitigation and Monitoring


Table 18.44:
Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring

Table 18.44: Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring