7.7.8. Potential Cumulative EffectsPotential Cumulative Effects

  1. There is the potential for the identified effects to interact with the onshore elements of Ossian and other projects particularly other offshore wind farms being developed as part of the ScotWind consenting process. Cumulatively, the development of the ScotWind projects is expected to represent a substantial increase in demand at the Scottish level for the industries that will be involved in the construction of these projects.
  2. By contributing to a critical mass, the Array will contribute to the cumulative case for potential indigenous or inward investors, by making it more financially attractive to set up new manufacturing and fabrication facilities in Scotland, as opposed to relying on overseas facilities that may have higher transportation costs. Consideration will also be given the cumulative effects on port facilities during both construction and operation and maintenance phases.
  3. The CEA will follow the methodology set out in section 4.

7.7.9. Potential Transboundary ImpactsPotential Transboundary Impacts

  1. A screening of transboundary impacts has been carried out and is presented in Appendix 3. This screening exercise identified that there is the potential for transboundary impacts upon offshore socio-economics and tourism due to construction, operational and maintenance, and decommissioning impacts of the Array. These include:
  • socio-economic impacts taking place outside of the UK, relating to non-UK supply chain during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases. These will be imports from outside of the UK, and are expected to be positive in nature; and
  • impacts on commercial fisheries and other marine users based outside of the UK during construction, operation and decommissioning.

7.7.10. Scoping Questions to ConsulteesScoping Questions to Consultees

  1. The questions below are intended to focus responses to the scoping report and inform the scoping opinion, including:
  • Do you agree with the proposed approach to the baseline characterisation?
  • Are there any additional baseline datasets to those included in Appendix 12 that should be reviewed to characterise the socio-economics baseline?
  • Do you agree with the proposed approach to the socio-economics assessment?
  • Are there other types of socio-economic impacts that should be considered in the socio-economics assessment?

7.7.11. Next StepsNext Steps

  1. When the ports that will be used during the construction and operation are known (i.e. epicentres of impact), the local socio-economic study area(s) will be defined in accordance with Marine Scotland guidance on defining local study areas (Scottish Government, 2022c). The baseline assessment for the local study area(s), will be undertaken, as described in Appendix 12.
  2. At this stage, it will also be possible to identify the appropriate organisations for consultation on socio-economic matters. These consultations will focus on the supply chain opportunities and the capacity of local study area(s), Scotland and the UK to respond to the opportunities, as well as identifying other potential socio-economic impacts that should be included in the assessment. The consultees may include enterprise agencies, port authorities, local authority economic development departments and Marine Scotland’s Marine Analytical Unit.
  3. The socio-economic assessment in the Array EIA Report will take account of relevant comments raised as in the Scoping Opinion for the Array and during the consultation programme.

8. Summary of the Array EIA Scoping ReportSummary of the Array EIA Scoping Report

8.
Summary of the Array EIA Scoping ReportSummary of the Array EIA Scoping Report

8.1. OverviewOverview

  1. The Applicant is developing Ossian, an offshore wind farm project within the E1 PO Area. The Array is the subject of this Scoping Report, which is located approximately 80 km south-east of Aberdeen, and will comprise floating wind turbines, Offshore Substation Platforms (OSPs), inter-array cables and interconnector cables.
  2. The potential significant effects associated with the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning phases of the Array on a range of receptors have been identified in this Scoping Report and are detailed in sections 5 to 7. Within each section, a proposed approach to assessment has been included.
  3. Table 8.1   Open ▸ presents the technical topics considered within this Scoping Report and whether these topics are proposed to be scoped in or scoped out of the Array EIA Report.

8.2. Cumulative Effects SummaryCumulative Effects Summary

  1. Each technical topic presented within this Scoping Report details the potential cumulative effects associated with the given topic. The Array EIA Report will include a detailed cumulative effects assessment, which will follow the methodology set out in section 4.3.7 of this Scoping Report.
  2. A summary of the projects and/or activities which will be considered for cumulative effects include:
  • marine aggregates and disposal;
  • energy (including offshore wind, wave and tidal projects (including Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) projects), cables, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Underground Coal Gasification (UCG));
  • oil and gas infrastructure;
  • cables and pipelines;
  • ports and harbours; and
  • military, aviation and radar.

8.3. Transboundary ImpactsTransboundary Impacts

  1. Appendix 3 presents the transboundary screening assessment for the Array. The following topics have been screened into further consideration of transboundary impacts:
  • offshore ornithology;
  • commercial fisheries;
  • shipping and navigation; and
  • offshore socio-economics.

8.4. Next StepsNext Steps

  1. The proposed approach to stakeholder engagement during the pre-application phase is outlined in section 4.3.4. The Array is located within Scottish offshore waters, therefore, the PAC Regulations do not apply. However, the Applicant proposes to follow the principles of the PAC Regulations for the Array as these Regulations are considered good practice for undertaking public engagement.
  2. The Applicant proposes to hold at least one pre-application event, for example, in the form of a public exhibition, in 2023 with further details of this event advertised in the future. Where appropriate to do so and if sufficient information on the grid connection and onshore elements of the project are available, public consultation will be carried out for the onshore and offshore elements at the same event to give a full understanding of the whole project.
  3. It is considered that post-Scoping consultation with key statutory and non-statutory stakeholders is required pre-application to discuss and agree key technical assessment methods to ensure a robust EIA. The Applicant has developed a dSEP which aims to optimise key consultation requirements through the pre-application phase (Appendix 1). The Applicant will aim to minimise post-scoping engagement to priority topics and will aim to keep consultation focused and restricted to specific topic areas where key parameters or techniques could not be agreed through the formal scoping process. The outcomes of this consultation will inform the preparation of technical assessments and the Array EIA Report. The Array EIA Report will provide a summary of key consultation undertaken, including the outcomes of the public exhibition.
Table 8.1:
Overview of Technical Topics Considered within this Scoping Report, Scoped In/Out Status and Justification for Scoping In/Out

Table 8.1: Overview of Technical Topics Considered within this Scoping Report, Scoped In/Out Status and Justification for Scoping In/Out

 

 

 

Appendix 1 Draft Stakeholder Engagement PlanDraft Stakeholder Engagement Plan

Appendix 1
Draft Stakeholder Engagement PlanDraft Stakeholder Engagement Plan

1.1.        Introduction

1.1.1      Aim of this document

  1. Ossian OWFL (the Applicant) have developed this dSEP for the Array and associated offshore infrastructure, which sets out the likely future consultation requirements associated with the EIA and HRA following receipt of the Scoping Opinion to application submission. 
  2. From experience of developing OWFs in Scotland, technical clarifications and engagement with stakeholders is required following receipt of the Scoping Opinion. This dSEP provides MS- LOT and Stakeholders the information on likely requirements based on this experience. The aim is to ensure further consultation is well planned, focused, direct and progresses in an efficient manner. This aims to allow consultation to be optimised and progress efficiently, limiting resource requirements from stakeholders. Annex A sets out the likely requirements.
  3. The Applicant is seeking feedback from stakeholders on their availability for this future engagement, as part of the Array Scoping Opinion, to ensure it is clear and that relevant parties are aligned on post-Scoping engagement commitments. Upon receipt of the Scoping Opinion, the Applicant will update stakeholders on actual engagement requirements as early as possible. Throughout any engagement the Applicant will ensure that meetings are focused, with clear aims and purpose. This information will be provided to stakeholders in advance to allow preparation to ensure meetings are carried out efficiently. 

1.1.2      Application Timeframes

  1. The key milestones associated with the application for the Ossian Array are set out in Apx Table 1.1   Open ▸ .

 

Apx Table 1.1:
Key Application Programme Milestones

Apx Table 1.1   Open ▸ : Key Application Programme Milestones

 

1.1.3      Consultations to Date

  1. The Applicant has engaged with MS-LOT through quarterly meetings since the conclusion of the ScotWind leasing round. These meetings are arranged by MS-LOT. The purpose of these meetings is to provide general project updates and receive notification of any forthcoming regulatory guidance or updates. NatureScot are invited to attend these calls. It is anticipated that these meetings will continue throughout the pre-application phase. Where appropriate to do so and in agreement with MS-LOT some of the technical consultation set out in Annex 1 may be incorporated into quarterly meetings.
  2. Pre-Scoping and HRA workshops for the Array were held in November 2022, covering a range of technical topics. These workshops were held with:
  • MS-LOT;
  • Marine Scotland Science (MSS);
  • NatureScot;
  • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB);
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA); and
  • Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB).
  1. The aim of these workshops was to present the approach to scoping in those impacts considered likely, based on current knowledge and baseline data, to have a significant effect on the receiving environment and therefore to be assessed as part of the Array EIA and RIAA; as well as agreeing on potential impacts to be scoped out. The information provided in the Array EIA Scoping Report and LSE Screening Report builds upon the feedback received at the pre-Scoping workshops and sets out the intended scope of the Array EIA Report and RIAA.
  2. The Applicant aims to develop a proportionate EIA Report and RIAA. Key to achieving this is engagement with stakeholders to incorporate advice, address concerns and develop appropriate mitigation required following receipt of the Scoping Opinion and prior to submission of the Application. The Applicant also aim to use stakeholder engagement to develop appropriate compensation measures, where required, following feedback on the LSE Screening Report as part of the HRA process. All consultation feedback provided will therefore inform and be included within the Array EIA Report, RIAA and wider supporting documentation that will accompany the Application.

1.1.4      strategic Collaboration

  1. The Applicant has taken part in developer led strategic collaborations with other ScotWind developers to date. As a result of this collaboration, it might be possible to combine consultation events, where appropriate to do so, to minimise stakeholder resourcing requirements. Ossian will consider this approach and discuss it with other ScotWind developers.

1.2.        Approach to Future engagement

1.2.1      Post-scoping consultation

  1. Key topic areas have been identified for further discussion as part of an iterative EIA and HRA process, to ensure that stakeholders’ views are fully incorporated into the technical assessments presented in the Array EIA Report and RIAA. These key topic areas are detailed in annex A.
  2. Whilst the Applicant has endeavoured to present key aspects of the technical assessments within the Array EIA Scoping Report, it was not possible to fully set out the final EIA approach at this stage as described above. In addition to this, the Applicant is not able to account for any new guidance that may come out following production and submission of the Array EIA Scoping Report. To account for these areas of uncertainty, ongoing (albeit focused and targeted) engagement is considered integral in developing a high quality and robust EIA and RIAA that addresses key areas of concerns while limiting potential delays to MS-LOT’s determination process. To date, it has been the intention of developers in collaboration with stakeholders to resolve key issues in advance of applications, to allow for the evaluation and determination of each application in an efficient manner. This may be more pertinent to assist in addressing the current global climate change emergency and to meet Scotland’s net zero ambitions.
  3. Annex A sets out the proposed timeline for post-Scoping stakeholder engagement for the Array.  By providing this information upfront it will hopefully aid stakeholders with forward planning. As noted above, this DSEP will be updated following receipt of the Scoping Opinion.
  4. The following provides a summary of post-Scoping consultation targets that the Applicant is seeking feedback on that aims to manage post-Scoping consultation:
  • the Applicant to provide at least six weeks notice prior to a consultation meeting;
  • the Applicant to circulate pre-meeting information for discussion during the consultation meeting three weeks in advance of said meeting;
  • Stakeholders are requested to review said documentation prior to the consultation meeting;
  • Stakeholders the Applicant to try and ensure that relevant topic-specific technical specialists can attend relevant consultation meetings;
  • the Applicant to provide meeting minutes no later than three weeks after consultation meeting; and
  • Stakeholders to review and provide feedback of any changes required to meeting minutes and any actions recorded two weeks after dissemination of meeting minutes.

1.3.        Next Steps

  1. As described in Apx Table 1.1   Open ▸ , following submission of the Array EIA Scoping Report and LSE Screening Report, the Applicant intends to continue engaging with stakeholders, where necessary, in the interest of Ossian and the determination phase. As such the key next steps for Ossian are as follows:
  • consult with relevant stakeholders on this dSEP, as part of the Array EIA/HRA Scoping process;
  • update the dSEP based on feedback received from stakeholders as part of the Array EIA Scoping Opinion;
  • incorporate feedback received in the Array EIA Scoping Opinion into the Array EIA Report and RIAA; and
  • monitor stakeholder consultation following receipt of the Scoping Opinion.