Moray Firth SAC

Bottlenose dolphin

As detailed in paragraphs 974 et seq., there were only two Tier 3 projects identified for in-combination assessment associated with this impact: Bellrock and Campion Offshore Wind Farms. Due to the lack of publicly available information on these projects, only a qualitative assessment was provided. Based on the assessment in paragraphs 974 et seq., it has been concluded that population-level effects on the bottlenose dolphin feature of this SAC are highly unlikely.

Conclusion

Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II marine mammal features of the Moray Firth SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of in-combination entanglement during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this activity on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in section 6.2.3) are discussed in turn below in Table 6.84 Open ▸ .

Table 6.84: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the Moray Firth SAC from Entanglement during the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array In-Combination with other Plans and Projects

Feature	Conservation Objectives (NatureScot, 2021)	Conclusion
Bottlenose dolphin	2a. The population of bottlenose dolphin is a viable component of the site	As concluded from the background literature reviewed in paragraphs 700 et seq., population-level effects on bottlenose dolphin due to entanglement are not likely to occur. The already low, but increased risk of entanglement associated with the Array in-combination with the Tier 3 projects will also not affect areas important for breeding and calving within the SAC (which is 175.86 km away from the site boundary), and therefore bottlenose dolphin will remain a viable component of the site. Overall, including the implementation of designed in mitigation measures of regular inspections of mooring lines and dynamic cables, entanglement is not predicted to impact the population from being able to maintain itself as a viable component of the site, impact the distribution of bottlenose dolphin, nor cause significant disturbance to the species.
2b. The distribution of bottlenose dolphin throughout the site is maintained by avoiding significant disturbance
2c. The supporting habitats and processes relevant to bottlenose dolphin and the availability of prey for bottlenose dolphin are maintained	There is no pathway for potential impact between in-combination entanglement and the habitats, supporting processes, and prey species of bottlenose dolphin. Therefore, this potential impact will not prevent this conservation objective from being maintained as a result of the Array in-combination with Tier 3 projects.

Feature

Conservation Objectives (NatureScot, 2021)

Conclusion

Bottlenose dolphin

2a. The population of bottlenose dolphin is a viable component of the site

As concluded from the background literature reviewed in paragraphs 700 et seq., population-level effects on bottlenose dolphin due to entanglement are not likely to occur. The already low, but increased risk of entanglement associated with the Array in-combination with the Tier 3 projects will also not affect areas important for breeding and calving within the SAC (which is 175.86 km away from the site boundary), and therefore bottlenose dolphin will remain a viable component of the site. Overall, including the implementation of designed in mitigation measures of regular inspections of mooring lines and dynamic cables, entanglement is not predicted to impact the population from being able to maintain itself as a viable component of the site, impact the distribution of bottlenose dolphin, nor cause significant disturbance to the species.

2b. The distribution of bottlenose dolphin throughout the site is maintained by avoiding significant disturbance

2c. The supporting habitats and processes relevant to bottlenose dolphin and the availability of prey for bottlenose dolphin are maintained

There is no pathway for potential impact between in-combination entanglement and the habitats, supporting processes, and prey species of bottlenose dolphin. Therefore, this potential impact will not prevent this conservation objective from being maintained as a result of the Array in-combination with Tier 3 projects.

It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the Moray Firth SAC as a result of entanglement during the operation and maintenance phase of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects.

6.4.7. Injury and Disturbance from Underwater Noise Generated during the Operation of Floating Wind Turbines and Anchor Mooring Lines

The LSE2 assessment during the HRA Stage One process identified that LSE2 could not be ruled out for operational noise in the operation and maintenance phase of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects. This relates to the following sites and relevant Annex II marine mammal features:

Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC;

– grey seal.

Southern North Sea SAC; and

– harbour porpoise.

Moray Firth SAC;

– bottlenose dolphin.

The MDS considered for this in-combination assessment is shown in Table 6.85 Open ▸ .

Table 6.85: MDS Considered for the Assessment of Potential Impacts to Annex II Marine Mammals due to Operational Noise during the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array In-Combination with other Plans and Projects

Project Phase	Tier	MDS
Operation and maintenance phase	1	There were no Tier 1 projects identified within the 50 km search buffer for this impact.
2	The MDS is as described above for the Array alone ( Table 6.52 Open ▸ ) assessed in-combination with operation and maintenance phase of the following project within the 50 km search buffer: Morven Offshore Wind Farm.
3	The MDS is as described above for the Array alone ( Table 6.52 Open ▸ ) assessed in-combination with operation and maintenance phases of the following projects within the 50 km search buffer: Bellrock Offshore Wind Farm; Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm; Campion Offshore Wind Farm; and the Tier 2 project.

Project Phase

Tier

MDS

Operation and maintenance phase

There were no Tier 1 projects identified within the 50 km search buffer for this impact.

The MDS is as described above for the Array alone ( Table 6.52 Open ▸ ) assessed in-combination with operation and maintenance phase of the following project within the 50 km search buffer:

Morven Offshore Wind Farm.

The MDS is as described above for the Array alone ( Table 6.52 Open ▸ ) assessed in-combination with operation and maintenance phases of the following projects within the 50 km search buffer:

Bellrock Offshore Wind Farm;
Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm;
Campion Offshore Wind Farm; and
the Tier 2 project.

In-combination assessment

There is the potential for in-combination impacts due to changes in operational noise during the operation and maintenance phase of the Array and other plans and projects. For the purposes of this assessment, this potential impact has been assessed using the tiered approach outlined in section 4.6. The plans and projects screened into the in-combination assessment for this potential impact and their respective tiers are outlined in Table 6.85 Open ▸ .

Tier 1

There were no Tier 1 projects with turbines (and therefore the potential for any in-combination operational noise) identified within the 50 km search buffer, and therefore there is no in-combination effect predicted from additional Tier 1 projects.

Tier 2

There was one Tier 2 project identified within 50 km buffer with potential for in-combination effects associated with this impact:

Morven Offshore Wind Farm ( Table 6.85 Open ▸ ).

As for the Array alone (section 6.3.6), impacts related to operational noise from turbines and anchor mooring lines are expected to be localised to within the close vicinity of the respective projects and as such, the assessment only focussed on projects within a representative 50 km buffer of the Array as a proportionate approach.
Whilst there is the potential for the operations and maintenance phase of Morven Offshore Wind Farm to overlap with the operations and maintenance phase of the Array, this potential impact was scoped out in the Morven Offshore Scoping Report (Morven Offshore Wind Limited, 2023). This project is therefore not considered further in the Tier 2 assessment.

Tier 3

There were three Tier 3 projects identified with potential for in-combination effects associated with this impact:

Bellrock Offshore Wind Farm;
Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm; and
Campion Offshore Wind Farm ( Table 6.85 Open ▸ ).

The Tier 3 projects are in a pre-application phase and no EIA Scoping Report, EIA Reports, or HRA Documentation are available to inform a quantitative assessment. Therefore, a qualitative assessment is provided below.
Operational noise from anchor mooring lines is likely to be considerably lower compared to underwater noise associated with piling and UXO clearance activities during the construction phase. Most Tier 3 projects are located in excess of 50 km from the Array. The exceptions are Bellrock, Bowdun, and Campion Offshore Wind Farms, and of these only Bellrock and Campion are floating projects. All three projects may contribute to cumulative effects with respect to operational noise (from either floating or fixed foundations) but are located between 8.67 km (Bellrock) to 44.15 km (Campion) from the Array (with the effects of operational noise likely to be highly localised) and therefore unlikely to lead to any significant in-combination effects.
The Array alone assessment (see paragraph 740 et seq.) drew on a study completed at the Hywind Pilot Park in Scotland by Burns et al. (2022). In this study, the authors concluded that the maximum distance at which the TTS could occur across all hearing groups was estimated for harbour porpoise at 50 m from a turbine assuming that the animal would remain stationary for the 24 hour period (Burns et al., 2022). The study concluded that even at a wind speed of 25 knots, the noise footprint is negligible and in the relatively noisy soundscape of the North Sea, it does not present any realistic threat of auditory injury to marine species. As discussed in paragraph 740 et seq., Risch et al. (2023a) found noise emissions from floating offshore wind turbines were similar to the operational noise of fixed offshore wind turbines, with biggest difference between fixed and floating offshore wind turbines in relation to underwater noise generation is mooring-related noise, rather the operational wind turbine noise.
Considering Bellrock, Bowdun and Campion Offshore Wind Farms are located over 8 km from the site boundary (in differing directions), and on the basis of the estimated TTS ranges associated with operational noise, the potential for in-combination impact is unlikely.
Based on the information presented in paragraphs 995 et seq., it has been concluded that population-level effects on the marine mammal features of their respective SACs are highly unlikely.

Operation and maintenance phase

Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC

Grey seal

As detailed in paragraphs 995 et seq., there were only three Tier 3 projects included in the in-combination assessment for this impact: Bellrock and Campion Offshore Wind Farms. Due to the lack of publicly available information on these projects, only a qualitative assessment was provided. Based on the information presented in paragraphs 995 et seq., it has been concluded that population-level effects on the grey seal feature of this SAC are highly unlikely.

Conclusion

Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II marine mammal features of the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of in-combination operational noise during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this activity on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in in section 6.2.1) are discussed in turn below in Table 6.86 Open ▸ .

Table 6.86: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC from Operational Noise during the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array In-Combination with other Plans and Projects

Feature	Conservation Objectives (Natural England, 2020)	Conclusion
Grey seal	The extent and distribution of qualifying natural habitat and habitats of the qualifying species are maintained	There is no pathway for potential impact between in-combination operational noise and the extent, distribution, structure and function of habitats and the supporting processes of grey seal. Therefore, this in-combination potential impact will not prevent these conservation objectives from being maintained.
	The structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species are maintained
	The supporting processes on which qualifying natural habitats and the habitats of qualifying species rely are maintained
	The populations of each of the qualifying species are maintained	As detailed from the Tier 3 assessment, population-level effects on grey seal due to operational noise are not likely to occur. Given that potential injury and disturbance ranges are likely to be low and highly localised, operational noise will also not affect areas important for breeding and pupping within the SAC, and therefore grey seal will remain a viable component of the site. Overall, this in-combination impact will not prevent the population or distribution of grey seal within the site from being maintained.
	The distribution of qualifying species within the site are maintained

It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC as a result of operational noise in the operation and maintenance phase of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects.

Southern North Sea SAC

Harbour porpoise

As detailed in paragraphs 995 et seq., there were only three Tier 3 projects included in the in-combination assessment for this impact: Bellrock, Bowdun, and and Campion Offshore Wind Farms. Due to the lack of publicly available information on these projects, only a qualitative assessment was provided. Based on the information presented in paragraphs 995 et seq., it has been concluded that population-level effects on the harbour porpoise feature of this SAC are highly unlikely.

Conclusion

Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II marine mammal features of the Southern North Sea SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of in-combination operational noise during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this activity on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in section 6.2.2) are discussed in turn below in Table 6.87 Open ▸ .

Table 6.87: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the Southern North Sea SAC from Operational Noise during the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array In-Combination with other Plans and Projects

Feature	Conservation Objectives (JNCC and Natural England, 2019)	Conclusion
Harbour porpoise	1. Harbour porpoise is a viable component of the site	As detailed from the Tier 3 assessment, population-level effects on harbour porpoise due to operational noise are not likely to occur. Given that potential injury and disturbance ranges are likely to be low and highly localised, operational noise will also not affect areas important for breeding and calving within the SAC, and therefore harbour porpoise will remain a viable component of the site. Overall, this in-combination impact is not predicted to impact the population from being able to maintain itself as a viable component of the site or cause significant disturbance to the species.
	2. There is no significant disturbance of the species
	3. The condition of supporting habitats and processes, and the availability of prey is maintained	There is no pathway for potential impact between in-combination operational noise and the habitats, supporting processes, and prey species of harbour porpoise. Therefore, this in-combination impact will not prevent this conservation objective from being maintained.

It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the Southern North Sea SAC as a result of operational noise in the operation and maintenance phase of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects.

Moray Firth SAC

Bottlenose dolphin

As detailed in paragraphs 995 et seq., there were only three Tier 3 projects included in the in-combination assessment for this impact: Bellrock and Campion Offshore Wind Farms. Due to the lack of publicly available information on these projects, only a qualitative assessment was provided. Based on the information presented in paragraphs 995 et seq., it has been concluded that population-level effects on the bottlenose dolphin feature of this SAC are highly unlikely.

Conclusion

Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II marine mammal features of the Moray Firth SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of in-combination operational noise during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this activity on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in section 6.2.3) are discussed in turn below in Table 6.88 Open ▸ .

Table 6.88: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the Moray Firth SAC from Operational Noise during the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array In-Combination with other Plans and Projects

Feature	Conservation Objectives (NatureScot, 2021)	Conclusion
Bottlenose dolphin	2a. The population of bottlenose dolphin is a viable component of the site	As detailed from the Tier 3 assessment, population-level effects on bottlenose dolphin due to operational noise are not likely to occur. Given that potential injury and disturbance ranges are likely to be low and highly localised, operational noise will also not affect areas important for breeding and calving within the SAC, and therefore bottlenose dolphin will remain a viable component of the site. Overall, this in-combination impact is not predicted to impact the population from being able to maintain itself as a viable component of the site, impact the distribution of this species, nor cause significant disturbance to the species.
2b. The distribution of bottlenose dolphin throughout the site is maintained by avoiding significant disturbance
2c. The supporting habitats and processes relevant to bottlenose dolphin and the availability of prey for bottlenose dolphin are maintained	There is no pathway for potential impact between this in-combination operational noise and the habitats, supporting processes, and prey species of bottlenose dolphin. Therefore, this in-combination impact will not prevent this conservation objective from being maintained.

Feature

Conservation Objectives (NatureScot, 2021)

Conclusion

Bottlenose dolphin

2a. The population of bottlenose dolphin is a viable component of the site

As detailed from the Tier 3 assessment, population-level effects on bottlenose dolphin due to operational noise are not likely to occur. Given that potential injury and disturbance ranges are likely to be low and highly localised, operational noise will also not affect areas important for breeding and calving within the SAC, and therefore bottlenose dolphin will remain a viable component of the site. Overall, this in-combination impact is not predicted to impact the population from being able to maintain itself as a viable component of the site, impact the distribution of this species, nor cause significant disturbance to the species.

2b. The distribution of bottlenose dolphin throughout the site is maintained by avoiding significant disturbance

2c. The supporting habitats and processes relevant to bottlenose dolphin and the availability of prey for bottlenose dolphin are maintained

There is no pathway for potential impact between this in-combination operational noise and the habitats, supporting processes, and prey species of bottlenose dolphin. Therefore, this in-combination impact will not prevent this conservation objective from being maintained.

It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the Moray Firth SAC as a result of operational noise in the operation and maintenance phase of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects.

7. Summary

A summary of the assessments presented in this RIAA, considering the relevant SACs, is provided in the sections below. Table 7.1 Open ▸ presents the conclusions of Adverse Effects on Integrity in relation to the Array alone and in-combination with other plans and projects.

Table 7.1: Summary of Conclusions

Site ID	Site Name	Relevant Qualifying Features	Project Phase	Potential Impact	Conclusion for the Assessment on the Array Alone	Conclusion for the Assessment on the Array In-Combination with other Plans and Projects
Annex II Diadromous Fish
UK0030251	River Dee SAC	Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling and UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030251	River Dee SAC	Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel	Operation and maintenance	Effects due to EMFs from subsea electrical cabling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030262	River South Esk SAC	Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling and UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030262	River South Esk SAC	Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel	Operation and maintenance	Effects due to EMFs from subsea electrical cabling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030292	Tweed Estuary SAC	Sea lamprey	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling and UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030292	Tweed Estuary SAC	Sea lamprey	Operation and maintenance	Effects due to EMFs from subsea electrical cabling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0012691	River Tweed SAC	Atlantic salmon and sea lamprey	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling and UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0012691	River Tweed SAC	Atlantic salmon and sea lamprey	Operation and maintenance	Effects due to EMFs from subsea electrical cabling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030312	River Tay SAC	Atlantic salmon and sea lamprey	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling and UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030312	River Tay SAC	Atlantic salmon and sea lamprey	Operation and maintenance	Effects due to EMFs from subsea electrical cabling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0019811	River Spey SAC	Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel, and sea lamprey	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling and UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0019811	River Spey SAC	Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel, and sea lamprey	Operation and maintenance	Effects due to EMFs from subsea electrical cabling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030088	Berriedale and Langwell Waters SAC	Atlantic salmon	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling and UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030088	Berriedale and Langwell Waters SAC	Atlantic salmon	Operation and maintenance	Effects due to EMFs from subsea electrical cabling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030263	River Teith SAC	Atlantic salmon and sea lamprey	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling and UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030263	River Teith SAC	Atlantic salmon and sea lamprey	Operation and maintenance	Effects due to EMFs from subsea electrical cabling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030261	River Oykel SAC	Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling and UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030261	River Oykel SAC	Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel	Operation and maintenance	Effects due to EMFs from subsea electrical cabling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
Annex II Marine Mammals
UK0017072	Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC	Grey seal	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Underwater noise generated during UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Injury and disturbance due to site-investigation surveys (including geophysical surveys)*	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Changes in prey availability	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
			Operation and maintenance	Entanglement	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Injury and disturbance from underwater noise generated during the operation of floating wind turbines and anchor mooring lines	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Injury and disturbance due to site-investigation surveys (including geophysical surveys)*	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0030311	Southern North Sea SAC	Harbour porpoise	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Underwater noise generated during UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Injury and disturbance due to site-investigation surveys (including geophysical surveys)*	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Changes in prey availability	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
			Operation and maintenance	Entanglement	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Injury and disturbance from underwater noise generated during the operation of floating wind turbines and anchor mooring lines	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Injury and disturbance due to site-investigation surveys (including geophysical surveys)*	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
UK0019808	Moray Firth SAC	Bottlenose dolphin	Construction	Underwater noise generated during piling	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Underwater noise generated during UXO clearance	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Injury and disturbance due to site-investigation surveys (including geophysical surveys)*	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Changes in prey availability	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
			Operation and maintenance	Entanglement	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Injury and disturbance from underwater noise generated during the operation of floating wind turbines and anchor mooring lines	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
				Injury and disturbance due to site-investigation surveys (including geophysical surveys)*	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site	No adverse effect on the integrity of the site
*It should be noted that only disturbance due to underwater noise generated during site-investigation surveys was assessed in the in-combination assessment, based on the low injury ranges modelled for the Array alone (see paragraph 895).

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