Operation and maintenance phase

                        River Dee SAC
Atlantic salmon
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Freshwater pearl mussel
  1. Adult freshwater pearl mussel are confined to freshwater environments, and there is therefore no pathway for direct effects associated with this impact. However, there is potential for indirect impacts on the larval stage of freshwater pearl mussel if Atlantic salmon (their host species) are impacted. As detailed in paragraphs 248 and 249, EMFs from subsea electrical cabling in the operation and maintenance phase are unlikely to result in barriers to migration for Atlantic salmon. Therefore, it can also be concluded that there will be no indirect impact to freshwater pearl mussel.
Conclusion
  1. Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II diadromous fish features of the River Dee SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this impact on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in paragraphs 69 to 71) are discussed in turn below in Table 5.24   Open ▸ .

 

Table 5.24:
Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Dee SAC from EMFs from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

Table 5.24: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Dee SAC from EMFs from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

 

  1. It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the River Dee SAC as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling with respect to the operation and maintenance phase of the Array alone.
                        River South Esk SAC
Atlantic salmon
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Freshwater pearl mussel
  1. Adult freshwater pearl mussel are confined to freshwater environments, and there is therefore no pathway for direct effects associated with this impact. However, there is potential for indirect impacts on the larval stage of freshwater pearl mussel if Atlantic salmon (their host species) are impacted. As detailed in paragraphs 253 and 254, EMFs from subsea electrical cabling in the operation and maintenance phase are unlikely to result in barriers to migration for Atlantic salmon. Therefore, it can also be concluded that there will be no indirect impact to freshwater pearl mussel.
Conclusion
  1. Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II diadromous fish features of the River South Esk SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this impact on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in paragraphs 78 to 80) are discussed in turn below in Table 5.25   Open ▸ .

 

Table 5.25:
Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River South Esk SAC from EMFs from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

Table 5.25: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River South Esk SAC from EMFs from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

 

  1. It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the River South Esk SAC as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling with respect to the operation and maintenance phase of the Array alone.
                        Tweed Estuary SAC
Sea lamprey
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of sea lamprey and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, sea lamprey and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Sea lamprey are considered to have significantly reduced sensitivity to EMFs in comparison with other fish species, such as elasmobranchs (Gill et al., 2005, Hutchison et al., 2018). Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
                        Conclusion
  1. Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II diadromous fish features of the Tweed Estuary SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this impact on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in paragraph 90) are discussed in turn below in Table 5.26   Open ▸ .

 

Table 5.26:
Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the Tweed Estuary SAC from EMFs from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

Table 5.26: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the Tweed Estuary SAC from EMFs from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

 

  1. It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the Tweed Estuary SAC as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling with respect to the operation and maintenance phase of the Array alone.
                        River Tweed SAC
Atlantic salmon
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Sea lamprey
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of sea lamprey and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, sea lamprey and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Sea lamprey are considered to have significantly reduced sensitivity to EMFs in comparison with other fish species, such as elasmobranchs (Gill et al., 2005, Hutchison et al., 2018). Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
                        Conclusion
  1. Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II diadromous fish features of the River Tweed SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this impact on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in paragraphs 97 to 101) are discussed in turn below in Table 5.27   Open ▸ .

 

Table 5.27:
Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Tweed SAC from EMFs from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

Table 5.27: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Tweed SAC from EMFs from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

  1. It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the River Tweed SAC as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling with respect to the operation and maintenance phase of the Array alone.
                        River Tay SAC
Atlantic salmon
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Sea lamprey
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of sea lamprey and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, sea lamprey and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Sea lamprey are considered to have significantly reduced sensitivity to EMFs in comparison with other fish species, such as elasmobranchs (Gill et al., 2005, Hutchison et al., 2018). Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Conclusion
  1. Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II diadromous fish features of the River Tay SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of subsea electrical cabling during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this impact on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in paragraphs 113 to 115) are discussed in turn below in Table 5.28   Open ▸ .

Table 5.28:
Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Tay SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

Table 5.28: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Tay SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

 

  1. It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the River Tay SAC as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling with respect to the operation and maintenance phase of the Array alone.
                        River Spey SAC
Atlantic salmon
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Freshwater pearl mussel
  1. Adult freshwater pearl mussel are confined to freshwater environments, and there is therefore no pathway for direct effects associated with this impact. However, there is potential for indirect impacts on the larval stage of freshwater pearl mussel if Atlantic salmon (their host species) are impacted. As detailed in paragraphs 274 and 275, EMFs from subsea electrical cabling in the operation and maintenance phase are unlikely to result in barriers to migration for Atlantic salmon. Therefore, it can also be concluded that there will be no indirect impact to freshwater pearl mussel.
Sea lamprey
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of sea lamprey and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, sea lamprey and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Sea lamprey are considered to have significantly reduced sensitivity to EMFs in comparison with other fish species, such as elasmobranchs (Gill et al., 2005, Hutchison et al., 2018). Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Conclusion
  1. Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II diadromous fish features of the River Spey SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur a result of subsea electrical cabling during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this impact on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in paragraphs 123 to 126) are discussed in turn below in Table 5.29   Open ▸ .

 

Table 5.29:
Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Spey SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

Table 5.29: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Spey SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

 

  1. It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the River Spey SAC as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling with respect to the operation and maintenance phase of the Array alone.
                        Berriedale and Langwell Waters SAC
Atlantic salmon
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Conclusion
  1. Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II diadromous fish features of the Berriedale and Langwell Waters SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur a result of subsea electrical cabling during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this impact on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in paragraph 133) are discussed in turn below in Table 5.30   Open ▸ .

 

Table 5.30:
Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the Berriedale and Langwell Waters SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

Table 5.30: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the Berriedale and Langwell Waters SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

 

  1. It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the Berriedale and Langwell Waters SAC as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling with respect to the operation and maintenance phase of the Array alone.
                        River Teith SAC
Atlantic salmon
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Sea lamprey
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of sea lamprey and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, sea lamprey and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Sea lamprey are considered to have significantly reduced sensitivity to EMFs in comparison with other fish species, such as elasmobranchs (Gill et al., 2005, Hutchison et al., 2018). Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Conclusion
  1. Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II diadromous fish features of the River Teith SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling in the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this impact on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in paragraph 140) are discussed in turn in Table 5.31   Open ▸ . As stated in paragraph 140, a CAP has not yet been published for the River Teith SAC, and therefore, only the overarching conservation objectives for all qualifying species features are presented in Table 5.31   Open ▸ for Atlantic salmon and sea lamprey combined. The assessment has therefore been undertaken with regard to the available conservation objectives for the site (NatureScot, 2015).

 

Table 5.31:
Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Teith SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

Table 5.31: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Teith SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

 

  1. It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the River Teith SAC as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling with respect to the operation and maintenance phase of the Array alone.
                        River Oykel SAC
Atlantic salmon
  1. As outlined in paragraphs 244 to 247, EMF may influence the behaviour of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish. These effects may be detrimental if they result in the creation of a barrier to migration routes to and from natal rivers. However, Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish are highly mobile and are considered to be capable of changing course during migration between natal rivers and the open sea.
  2. Further, as detailed in paragraphs 238 to 243, EMFs produced from buried and dynamic cables will attenuate to baseline levels within a few metres to few tens of metres (both horizontally and vertically) from the cable (Hutchison et al., 2021). Therefore, should impacts from EMF occur, they would be limited to within a few metres to few tens of metres of the cable and not represent a significant barrier to migration for this species.
Freshwater pearl mussel
  1. Adult freshwater pearl mussel are confined to freshwater environments, and there is therefore no pathway for direct effects associated with this impact. However, there is potential for indirect impacts on the larval stage of freshwater pearl mussel if Atlantic salmon (their host species) are impacted. As detailed in paragraphs 291 and 292, EMFs from subsea electrical cabling in the operation and maintenance phase are unlikely to result in barriers to migration for Atlantic salmon. Therefore, it can also be concluded that there will be no indirect impact to freshwater pearl mussel.
Conclusion
  1. Adverse effects on the qualifying Annex II diadromous fish features of the River Oykel SAC which undermine the conservation objectives of the SAC will not occur a result of subsea electrical cabling during the operation and maintenance phase. Potential effects from this impact on the relevant conservation objectives (as presented in paragraphs 146 to 148) are discussed in turn below in Table 5.32   Open ▸ .

Table 5.32:
Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Oykel SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

Table 5.32: Conclusions Against the Conservation Objectives of the River Oykel SAC from Subsea Electrical Cabling in the Operation and Maintenance Phase of the Array Alone

 

  1. It can be concluded, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that there is no risk of an adverse effect on the integrity of the River Oykel SAC as a result of EMFs from subsea electrical cabling with respect to the operation and maintenance phase of the Array alone.