Operation and maintenance

         Up to 265 floating wind turbine foundations;

         Up to 6 mooring lines per foundation, each 750 m length, of which 200 m will fall within the water column during operation (increasing to 700 m during 50-year storm conditions). Mooring touchdown will be 25 m to 150 m from the foundation; and

         Up to 1,261 km of inter-array cable, of which the length in the water column is to be determined as a result of detailed engineering design.

Represents the greatest mooring line and inter-array cable length, based on the deepest water depth with tides (95 m) and the connection at the top of the column.

Mooring lines and dynamic inter-array cables in the water column will undergo regular inspections during the operation and maintenance phase with inspection frequency more frequent initially for the first two years and then decreasing to an annual schedule. The removal of marine debris from mooring lines and inter-array cables will be undertaken as necessary following monitoring and further relevant action taken if required, based on findings from the inspections. The removal of debris from mooring lines and cables further reduces the likelihood of secondary entanglement.

Primary entanglement is considered extremely unlikely due to the physical characteristics of cables and mooring lines (Benjamins et al., 2014) and therefore will not affect the population of any of the bird species screened in.

There is a greater risk of secondary entanglement with ghost fishing gear. However, the measures in place will reduce the potential likelihood of any entanglement, making it of negligible consequence and insufficient to result in significant disturbance or a population level effect

Inspections will be secured as a result of their inclusion in the Operation and Maintenance Programme.

Coquet Island SPA

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on breeding puffin).

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the extent and distribution of the habitats of the qualifying features;

–         the structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying features; and

–         the supporting processes on which the habitats of the qualifying features rely.

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the populations of each of the qualifying features; and

–         the distribution of qualifying features within the site.

The impact level experienced by the named seabird assemblage component, puffin, during operations and maintenance at Coquet Island SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, puffin populations as a qualifying species of the Coquet Island SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site. Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Fair Isle SPA

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on breeding gannet).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species’

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The impact level experienced by the named seabird assemblage component, gannet, during operations and maintenance at Fair Isle SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, gannet populations as a qualifying species of the Fair Isle SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Farne Islands SPA

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on breeding puffin).

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the extent and distribution of the habitats of the qualifying features;

–         the structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying features; and

–         the supporting processes on which the habitats of the qualifying features rely.

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the populations of each of the qualifying features; and

–         the distribution of qualifying features within the site.

The impact level experienced by the named seabird assemblage component, puffin, during operations and maintenance at Farne Islands SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, puffin populations as a qualifying species of the Farne Islands SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA

         gannet (breeding);

         guillemot (breeding);

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the extent and distribution of the habitats of the qualifying features;

–         the structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying features; and

–         the supporting processes on which the habitats of the qualifying features rely.

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         guillemot = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the populations of each of the qualifying features; and

–         the distribution of qualifying features within the site.

The impact level experienced by the gannet and guillemot during operations and maintenance at Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

In addition, as the impact from entanglement on gannet and guillemot populations was assessed as negligible across operation and maintenance, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed negligible.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, gannet and guillemot populations as a qualifying species of the Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         gannet = No AEOI

         guillemot = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Forth Islands SPA

         gannet (breeding);

         puffin (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         puffin = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The impact level experienced by the gannet and puffin during operations and maintenance at Forth Islands SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

In addition, as the impact from entanglement on gannet and puffin populations was assessed as negligible across operation and maintenance, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed negligible.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, gannet and puffin populations as a qualifying species of the Forth Islands SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         gannet = No AEOI

         puffin = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Fowlsheugh SPA

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on breeding razorbill).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The impact level experienced by the named seabird assemblage component, razorbill, during operations and maintenance at Fowlsheugh SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, razorbill populations as a qualifying species of the Fowlsheugh SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Hermaness, Saxa Vord and Valla Field SPA

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The impact level experienced by the gannet during operations and maintenance at Hermaness, Saxa Vord and Valla Field SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

In addition, as the impact from entanglement on gannet populations was assessed as negligible across operation and maintenance, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed negligible.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, gannet, populations as a qualifying species of the Hermaness, Saxa Vord and Valla Field SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The impact level experienced by the gannet during operations and maintenance at North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

In addition, as the impact from entanglement on gannet populations was assessed as negligible across operation and maintenance, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed negligible.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, gannet populations as a qualifying species of the North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Noss SPA

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The impact level experienced by the gannet during operations and maintenance at Noss SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

In addition, as the impact from entanglement on gannet populations was assessed as negligible across operation and maintenance, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed negligible.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, gannet populations as a qualifying species of the Noss SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

St Kilda SPA

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to ensure that the qualifying features of St Kilda SPA and the seas off St Kilda SPA are in favourable condition and make an appropriate contribution to achieving favourable conservation status.

         to ensure that the integrity of St Kilda SPA and the seas off St Kilda SPA is restored in the context of environmental changes by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature:

         the supporting habitats and processes relevant to qualifying features and their prey/food resources are maintained, or where appropriate restored, at St Kilda SPA and/or seas off St Kilda SPA

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to ensure that the qualifying features of St Kilda SPA and the seas off St Kilda SPA are in favourable condition and make an appropriate contribution to achieving favourable conservation status.

         to ensure that the integrity of St Kilda SPA and the seas off St Kilda SPA is restored in the context of environmental changes by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature:

–         the populations of qualifying features are viable components of St Kilda SPA and seas off St Kilda SPA; and

–         the distributions of the qualifying features throughout St Kilda SPA and seas off St Kilda SPA are maintained by avoiding significant disturbance of the species.

The impact level experienced by the gannet during operations and maintenance at St Kilda SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

In addition, as the impact from entanglement on gannet populations was assessed as negligible across operation and maintenance, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed negligible.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, gannet populations as a qualifying species of the St Kilda SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the Array falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for entanglement during all operations and maintenance of the Array to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, entanglement associated with the Array will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The impact level experienced by the gannet during operations and maintenance at Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA was qualitatively assessed. The outcome of the assessment deemed the impact from entanglement to be negligible on the species as the impacts are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

In addition, as the impact from entanglement on gannet populations was assessed as negligible across operation and maintenance, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed negligible.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operations and maintenance, of entanglement significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, gannet populations as a qualifying species of the Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA.

Therefore, entanglement during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from entanglement during all phases will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the SPA.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI