Environ ment Onshore Renewable Electricity Action September 2011 Plan: Strategic Environmental Assessment
Northern Ireland
Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan (OREAP)
Environmental Report
October 2011
Northern Ireland Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan (OREAP)
Rev No Comments Checked by Approved Date by
1 First draft for comment from Steering Group SE IAB July 2011 2 Second Draft incorporating responses to comments from Steering MM/SC IAB Sept 2011 Group 3 Final MM/SC IAB Oct 2011
This document is confidential and the copyright of AECOM Limited. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly prohibited.
Table of Contents
Glossary SECTION A: SEA CONTEXT ...... 1 Introduction...... 1 1.1 Introduction ...... 1 1.2 The Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan ...... 1 1.3 Strategic Environmental Assessment ...... 2 1.4 SEA Scoping...... 5 1.5 Purpose and Structure of this Environmental Report...... 5 1.6 Consultation on this Environmental Report ...... 6 2 The Northern Ireland Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan ...... 7 2.1 Purpose and Objectives of the Northern Ireland Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan ...... 7 2.2 Aim of the OREAP ...... 7 2.3 Background to the OREAP ...... 8 3 Policy Context ...... 10 3.1 Introduction ...... 10 4 Baseline ...... 19 4.1 Introduction ...... 19 5 SEA Approach and Method...... 20 5.1 Introduction ...... 20 5.2 Stage A Summary - Scoping ...... 20 5.3 Stage B Summary - Developing and Refining Alternatives, Assessing Effects ...... 22 5.3 Assessment of Alternatives ...... 23 5.4 Assessment Method ...... 25 5.5 Environmental Report (Stage C) and Consultation (Stage D) ...... 29 5.6 Uncertainty and Limitations of the Assessment...... 30 5.7 Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) ...... 30 6 Renewable Electricity Generation Technologies...... 31 6.1 Introduction ...... 31 6.2 Onshore Wind ...... 31 6.3 Biomass...... 32 6.4 Other Onshore Renewable Electricity Generation ...... 36 6.5 Related Infrastructure – Grid ...... 39 6.6 Related Infrastructure – Offshore Generation ...... 41 SECTION B: ASSESSMENT & MITIGATION ...... 42 7 Generic Assessment ...... 43 7.1 Introduction ...... 43 7.2 Generic Effects: Onshore Wind ...... 43 7.3 Generic Effects: Biomass ...... 55 7.4 Generic Effects: Other Renewable Energy Developments ...... 68 7.5 Generic Effects: Grid upgrades/reinforcements and associated infrastructure ...... 87 8 Cumulative Assessment: Testing Generation Scenarios ...... 95 8.1 Introduction ...... 95 8.2 Energy Demand, Required Installed Capacity and Renewable Energy Targets in Northern Ireland ...... 95 8.3 Onshore Renewable Energy Generation Scenarios ...... 95 8.4 Electricity Grid Network ...... 98 8.5 Focus and Limitations of the Cumulative Assessment ...... 98
8.6 Summary of Conclusions from the Assessment ...... 100 8.7 Offshore Renewable Energy and Grid Connections ...... 107 9 Conclusions and Mitigation Measures ...... 113 9.1 Conclusions ...... 113 9.2 Mitigation ...... 115 10 Monitoring ...... 129 10.1 Introduction ...... 129 10.2 Purpose of the Monitoring Framework ...... 129 10.3 Monitoring the SEA and OREAP ...... 129 10.4 Direct Monitoring of Plan Level Mitigation Measures (Actions) ...... 130 10.1 Monitoring Environmental Receptors...... 131 11 References ...... 133
Appendix A: Policy Context Appendix B: Baseline Description Appendix C: Review of Technologies Appendix D: Biodiversity Assessment Appendix E: Landscape Assessment
Glossary
ABPR Animal By-Products Regulations AC Alternative Current AD Anaerobic Digestion AIS Air Insulated Switchgear AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ASSI Area of Special Scientific Interest CH 4 Methane CHP Combined Heat and Power CO Carbon Oxide CO 2 Carbon Dioxide DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development DC Direct Current DCAL Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure DCMNR Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change DETI Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment DOE Department of the Environment DRD Department for Regional Development EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ELF Extremely Low Frequency EMF Electromagnetic Fields ER Environmental Report ESCR Earth Science Conservation Review EPA Environmental Protection Agency EU European Union EVA Ethylene Vinyl Acetate GB Great Britain GIS Geographical Information System H2 Hydrogen gas H2S Hydrogen Sulfyde Ha Hectares HVDC High Voltage Direct Current Isles Projtect Irish-Scottish Links on Energy Study Km Kilometres kV Kilovolts M Metres MBT Mechanical Biological Treatments mph Miles per hour MSW Municipal Solid Waste MW Megawatt NH 3 Ammonia NCALO Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order NIE Northern Ireland Electricity NIEA Northern Ireland Environment Agency Nm Nautical mile NNR National Nature Reserve ODPM Office of the Deputy Prime Minister OREAP Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan OREDP Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan
ORESAP Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan PPS Planning Policy Statement RDF Refuse Derived Fuel RED Renewable Energy Development RIA Regulatory Impact Assessment RIDP Renewables Integration Development Project ROCS Renewables Obligations Certificates RSBP Royal Society for the Protection of Birds SAC Special Area of Conservation SAP Strategic Action Plan SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SEF Strategic Energy Framework SEI Sustainable Energy Ireland SEM Single Electricity Market SLNCI Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance SPA Special Protection Area SRF Secondary Recovery Fuel UK United Kingdom WFD Water Framework Directive
SECTION A: SEA CONTEXT
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1 Introduction
1.1 Introduction
This Environmental Report (ER) has been prepared alongside the Draft Northern Ireland Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan (OREAP). The Draft OREAP has been developed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI). In accordance with environmental legislation 1 it was necessary to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the OREAP. This ER describes the findings of the SEA, including a description of the likely environmental effects of the OREAP and proposals for mitigating and monitoring effects. This chapter of the ER sets out some background regarding the DETI’s OREAP and the associated SEA. Please note that the terms ‘Action Plan’ and ‘OREAP’ are used interchangeably hereafter in reference to the OREAP.
1.2 The Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan
A summary of DETI’s OREAP is provided in Chapter 2. Table 1.1 below sets out some key facts regarding the Action Plan: Table 1.1 Key Facts Name of Responsible Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) Authority Title of Action Plan Northern Ireland Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan (OREAP) A transboundary 2008 All-Island Grid Study commissioned by DETI and the Department for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Ireland) concluded that by 2020 up to 42% of the electricity requirement could be derived from renewable sources., DETI published the What Prompted the Strategic Energy Framework (SEF) for Northern Ireland in September 2010 which sets the Action Plan target of 40% of electricity consumed in Northern Ireland should be generated from renewable sources. The Draft OREAP and the Offshore Renewable Strategic Action Plan (ORESAP), which was published in draft in December 2009, describe at a strategic level how the 40% target can be achieved. Subject Renewable Electricity Period Covered 2010-2020 Geographical Area Northern Ireland Covered
All comments on the Environmental Report and OREAP should be submitted by 20 January Contact Point 2012 to [email protected] .
1 European Directive 2001/42/EC ‘the assessment of certain plans and programmes on the environment’ and the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 (S.R. 280/2004)
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1.3 Strategic Environmental Assessment
1.3.1 Introduction
SEA is a process for predicting, reporting, mitigating and monitoring the environmental effects of plans and programmes. It is required for public sector plans and programmes with the potential for significant environmental effects, for a number of sectors including Energy. The requirement for SEA is underpinned by a European Directive 2 which was transposed into Northern Ireland Regulations 3. Both pieces of legislation came into effect in July 2004. According to Article 1 of the European ‘SEA Directive’, the objective of SEA is ‘to provide a high level of protection to the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development’ . These pieces of legislation are hereafter referred to as the ‘SEA Directive’ and the ‘SEA Regulations’.
1.3.2 The Focus and Objectives of this SEA
The purpose of this SEA is to assess the environmental effects of DETI’s OREAP. The focus of the Action Plan is onshore renewable energy generation therefore this is also the focus of the SEA. Such generation will have implications for the electrical grid which will require strengthening in order to accommodate future renewable energy generation. The SEA therefore makes reference at a high level to the in-combination effects of future generation with the potential associated grid upgrades. It is noted that future grid upgrading will be covered in greater detail by two separate plans 4 by NIE and their associated environmental studies. It also considers the coastal constraints of bringing offshore renewables onto the electricity network on shore. The Action Plan reflects the 2020 target in the SEF for 40% of consumed electricity being generated by renewable sources. The OREAP is very strategic and the limited level of detail available in the Action Plan has presented some challenges for carrying out the SEA. This is discussed further later in this ER (see Section 5.6). The focus of the assessment is underpinned by SEA legislation and the environmental topics covered are set out in Chapter 5.4.7 The SEA focuses on environmental effects and has not been extended to cover socio-economic impacts. However, in accordance with the SEA Directive and the Northern Ireland SEA Regulations, this SEA does address effects on ‘population’ and ‘human health’. The issues covered under these topics are set out in Chapter 5. At this strategic level, any socio-economic assessment would require an examination of how the proposals within the Action Plan would support communities in terms of employment and revenue as well their contribution to the wider economy of Northern Ireland. This is beyond the scope of this SEA and the requirements of SEA legislation. Economic considerations have been outlined in the OREAP. The main objectives of the SEA are as follows: Complying with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 (S.R. 280/2004); Identifying the potential outcomes of the Action Plan at a strategic level, in terms of new and upgraded infrastructure; Carrying out an environmental assessment of the Action Plan and reasonable alternatives; Assessing the environmental effects of the Action Plan, at a strategic level; Mitigating environmental effects;
2 European Directive 2001/42/EC ‘the assessment of certain plans and programmes on the environment’, commonly referred to as the ‘SEA Directive’ 3 Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 (S.R. 280/2004) 4 Renewables Integration Development Project and Northern Ireland Network 25
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Providing advice to DETI regarding the development of the Action Plan, based on predicted environmental effects; and Informing project level decision-making.
1.3.3 The SEA Process
SEA is an iterative process which should be fully integrated within the development of a plan. The outcomes of the SEA should inform the plan as it progresses; enabling environmental considerations to be taken into account throughout and mitigated where practicable. Since the introduction of SEA legislation a number of guidance documents have been produced. These include the United Kingdom (UK) guidance note ‘A Practical Guide to the SEA Directive’ (ODPM 2005), which was prepared jointly by the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now Department of Communities and Local Government), the former Scottish Executive (now Scottish Government), the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department of the Environment (DoE) in Northern Ireland. The UK guidance document divides the SEA process into five distinct stages, as follows: Stage A – Setting the context, establishing the baseline and defining the scope Stage B – Developing and refining strategic alternatives and assessing effects Stage C – Preparing the ER Stage D – Consulting on the ER Stage E – Monitoring implementation of the Plan
Table 1.2 below summarises the requirements for each of the above five SEA stages. These stages are discussed in more detail in Chapter 5: SEA Approach and Methodology. Table 1.2 Key Stages in the SEA Process
SEA Stage Description
Proposal of SEA objectives. N.B. This SEA proposes to focus the assessment on the individual SEA topics defined by the SEA Directive and key subject areas relating to those Stage A: topics e.g. European protected species and designated sites, rather than developing specific Setting the SEA objectives. Further explanation relating to the use of SEA topics as opposed to SEA Context, objectives is provided in Chapter 5, Section 5.4.7. Identification/collection of baseline data. Establishing Identification of key environmental issues/problems. the Baseline Identification of relevant plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives. and Deciding Development of a method for assessing potential environmental effects. the Scope Consultation with statutory authorities with environmental responsibilities on scope of SEA. (the Department of the Environment via the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) which leads the function on behalf of the DOE). Stage B: Developing Identification and refinement of strategic alternatives. Assessment of alternatives under consideration. Strategic Identification and evaluation of the likely environmental effects of the Plan. Alternatives Outlining of the potential measures to mitigate environmental effects. and Assessing Proposal for monitoring the environmental effects during the implementation of the plan. Effects Stage C: Preparing the Presentation of the findings of the SEA in an ER. ER Stage D: Consultation with the stakeholders, including the public, community groups, authorities with Consulting and environmental responsibilities (e.g. DoE, NIEA, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Decision (DCAL), Department for Regional Development (DRD), Department of Agriculture and Rural
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SEA Stage Description Making Development (DARD), plus other key stakeholders, industry and academics. Incorporation of comments received from consultation and findings of the ER into the plan Assessment of any significant changes to the plan if appropriate. Issuing a ‘statement’ (the ‘Post-Adoption SEA Statement’) of how the findings of the SEA and responses from consultation were incorporated into the plan. Stage E: Monitoring Monitoring of the environmental effects of the plan throughout the period of its implementation. Implementation Responding to any adverse effects. of the Plan
1.3.4 SEA and Action Plan Interactions
As noted in Section 1.3.3, the SEA should be integrated within the development of the Action Plan. Figure 1.1 below highlights some of the key interactions in the SEA and plan-making process:
Figure 1.1 Plan-Development and the SEA Processes
Scoping, Scoping Report and Consultation Initial Plan Development
Assessment of Options / Plan Options Development
Preparation of Environmental Report Finalised Draft Plan
Public Consultation on Draft Plan and Environmental Report
Review of Responses, Post-Adoption SEA Preparation and Statement Adopted of Final Plan (early 2012)
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1.4 SEA Scoping
Consultation on the scope of the SEA was undertaken in June 2010, which included the publication of an SEA Scoping Report and holding a scoping workshop. For this SEA, scoping consultation went beyond the minimum requirements of SEA legislation, which requires only that the DoE is consulted. The scoping activities undertaken are summarised below.
1.4.1 Scoping Report and Workshop
The primary purpose of the Scoping Report was to provide information to the statutory consultee on the scope and level of detail proposed for the SEA. It focused on setting the context for the SEA; including environmental topics to be assessed, baseline data, existing and potential environmental issues, and the proposed approach to the assessment. The Scoping Report was submitted to the statutory consultee (NIEA, on behalf of the DoE) in June 2010. In addition, the report was circulated to a wider stakeholder group and was published on a dedicated website (http://www.onshorerenewablesni.co.uk ). The duration of the consultation period was 5 weeks. A scoping workshop was held in the Park Avenue Hotel in Belfast in June 2010. The workshop was attended by approximately 50 people, including representatives of environmental organisations, regulators and developers. The purpose of the workshop was to seek the opinions of stakeholders regarding the proposed SEA scope. It also provided an opportunity for people to highlight issues they wished to be addressed by the Action Plan. The format of the workshop included an introduction to the Action Plan from DETI, an introduction to the SEA from AECOM, followed by two discussion sessions. The discussions focussed on key environmental issues and the proposed approach to the SEA as set out in the Scoping Report.
1.4.2 Scoping Responses
A number of written responses to the Scoping Report were received and the full responses can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.onshorerenewablesni.co.uk . Full scoping responses are also provided in Appendix A. Appendix B includes a summary of stakeholders comments on the Scoping Report, including those expressed at the scoping workshop, with a response to how these have been taken into account.
1.5 Purpose and Structure of this Environmental Report
This ER has been prepared as a consultation document. It sets out the findings of the environmental assessment of the Action Plan and includes details of mitigation and monitoring proposals. Published with the Draft Action Plan, its purpose is to inform the consultation process by providing information regarding the potential environmental effects of the Action Plan. It is accompanied by a Non-Technical Summary. The ER is divided into two sections. Section A sets the context for the SEA by providing background information regarding the SEA process and summarising some key information regarding the Action Plan. In addition, it provides updated information which was initially set out in the SEA Scoping Report, such as baseline data, details of other relevant plans and programmes and existing environmental problems. In addition it describes the methodology for the assessment. Section B of this ER summarises the results of the environmental assessment. This includes generic environmental effects and an assessment of the effects of the alternative generation scenarios considered. Mitigation and monitoring are also discussed.
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1.6 Consultation on this Environmental Report
This ER is published alongside the Draft OREAP, for a 12 week period of public consultation. Electronic versions of the documents can be downloaded from the following dedicated website: http://www.onshorerenewablesni.co.uk/ . Hard copies of the documents are available to view at DETI’s offices and can be viewed by arrangement. Contact details for arranging document viewings and for submission of consultation responses are as follows: Sandra McMillan Energy Division Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment Netherleigh Massey Avenue Belfast BT4 2JP Email: [email protected]
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2 The Northern Ireland Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan
2.1 Purpose and Objectives of the Northern Ireland Onshore Renewable Electricity Action Plan
A key target for Northern Ireland, arising from the Strategic Energy Framework (SEF), is to increase the level of electricity consumption from renewable sources to 40% by 2020. To achieve this target will require approximately 1400- 1800 MW of renewable generation installed capacity to be connected to the network from both onshore and offshore sources, depending on the technology mix going forward and the capacity factors of each technology. DETI commissioned work to recommend renewable energy targets in advance of the Strategic Energy Framework for the period up to 2020. This work used an assumption of an estimated electricity demand of approximately 11,000 GWh in 2020 with an installed capacity of 4000MW. This assumption was based on a 1.6% pa growth in electricity demand (SONI’s 2009-2015 Generation Capacity Statement medium growth rate which accounts for economic and population growth - (It should be noted that this growth forecast was up to date in 2009 at the time of the study – the most recent growth figure from SONI is reduced to 1.5%) with the study also taking into account a 1% year on year reduction in consumption in line with the 1% energy efficiency target for Northern Ireland. The Department has already considered the contribution of offshore energy sources in the draft Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan (ORESAP) which proposes a target of at least 600MW offshore wind and 300 MW from tidal resources in Northern Ireland waters by 2020. It is the potential role of onshore renewable electricity technologies that will be considered in this Action Plan, and their ability to contribute to the 40% target, in the period up to 2020. In terms of how the 40% target will be delivered, the Department encourages a mix of technologies and it will be for the market, i.e. developers and investors, to bring forward renewable electricity generation within the policy framework that DETI has set out through the Strategic Energy Framework, the OREAP and other plans.
2.2 Aim of the OREAP
The aim of the draft OREAP is to maximise the amount of renewable electricity generated from onshore renewable sources in order to enhance diversity and security of supply, reduce carbon emissions, contribute to the 40% renewable electricity target by 2020 and beyond and develop business and employment opportunities for NI companies. The development of this resource will take into account the protection of the environment and the needs and interests of other users of the land. The OREAP sets out the objectives, targets and range of actions to maximise the contribution of onshore renewable electricity in the period to 2020. The OREAP will also consider the impact of offshore renewable energy development on the onshore transmission and distribution network. It is important to note that the OREAP and this SEA relate only to onshore or terrestrial renewable electricity, not offshore or traditional generation. The OREAP will not outline any grid strengthening plans in any detail – this will be the subject of NIE’s Renewables Integration Development Project (RIDP) as well as the Utility Regulator’s NIE Transmission and Distribution Price Control 2012-2017, and subsequent price controls beyond 2017.
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2.3 Background to the OREAP
2.3.1 Grid Infrastructure
The Department does recognise that increased levels of renewable electricity are likely to require significant levels of grid strengthening, particularly in the west of the province where there is a plentiful wind resource to maximise and a current demand from developers as evidenced by the number of applications being assessed by Planning Service. This will entail not only additional electricity transmission lines but also new substations. The OREAP will reflect this need for grid strengthening but it will be for NIE as the electricity network owner, in conjunction with the Utility Regulator, to take forward detailed grid development programmes over the coming years.
2.3.2 OffShore Renewable Electricity Generation
Offshore generation has already been examined in detail in the Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 5 , currently being finalised which proposes a target of at least 600MW offshore energy and 300MW tidal energy by 2020. Therefore this Action Plan and SEA will not revisit this ground. The OREAP does however, recognise the need for suitable grid connections for this offshore energy to come onto the network and will therefore reflect the coastal constraints in bringing this offshore energy onto the electricity grid onshore, as highlighted in the Offshore Regional Location Guidance. It will be up to the electricity network owner, in conjunction with the Utility Regulator, to develop the grid to accommodate this offshore renewable energy over the next few years.
2.3.3 Constraints and Uncertainties
Given the current development status of onshore renewable electricity technologies, in particular onshore wind, it would be expected that onshore wind will make up the majority of the contribution from onshore technologies in the period up to 2020, however other technologies will play an important role in meeting the 40% target. Planning policy, consultations, environmental constraints, market conditions and political decisions will all have an influencing factor on the pace of development in the period to 2020. There are a number of uncertainties going forward in relation to how onshore renewables will develop and so to try to address this predicted uncertainty, the OREAP considers different high and low ‘generation scenarios’ all of which have been subject to environmental assessment through the SEA process.
2.3.4 Onshore Renewable Electricity Generation Mixes
The various renewable electricity generation mix scenarios are largely based on the results of research on renewable energy targets commissioned by DETI in 2009 6 as part of the evidence base that was gathered to set the SEF targets. It is important to note however that these scenarios were based on information available at that time, the level of on- shore renewable technologies in the planning system is ever changing and the OREAP reflects a snapshot in time. It is anticipated that revised incentives through the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation could encourage an unexpected uptake particularly for smaller scale developments, such as has been seen for Anaerobic Digestion in 2010. In addition, a ‘operational development’ scenario; representing only those developments which are currently generating electricity, has been assessed in order to establish the current effects of operational development and use this as a baseline for assessing the effects of additional development. The scenarios that have been environmentally assessed are listed below. Further detail on these scenarios and the rationale for selecting them can be found later in this report in Section 5 and Section 8.
5 www.offshorenergyni.co.uk 6 ARUP (2009) ‘Establishment of Northern Ireland Renewable Electricity Targets to 2020’
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Table 2.1: Generation Scenarios for Operational Development Capacity
Low Range High Range
Onshore Wind 800MW to 1000MW 1000MW to 1200MW
Biomass 30MW to 100MW 100MW to 300MW
Other* 30MW to 100MW 100MW to 200MW *Including small scale wind, hydroelectricity, photovoltaics and geothermal.
Generation technologies included in this Action Plan are onshore wind, biomass and ‘other’ which includes hydro, solar PV, small scale wind (under 1MW) and geothermal power generation. It is expected that the main contribution from onshore technologies will be from onshore wind and biomass but it is important to reflect the role of other smaller scale or lesser developed technologies. The contribution from these sources is likely to be limited so for the purposes of this Action Plan and environmental assessment they have been amalgamated under “other technologies”.
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3 Policy Context
3.1 Introduction
The international drive to develop renewable energy sources has increased significantly in response to the growing awareness of the impacts of fossil fuels on the environment, and particularly the climate. This issue was first addressed at an international level through the Kyoto Agreement, which was adopted in 1997. It has since become a focal point of both international and domestic political agendas, with targets and long term strategies for reducing carbon dioxide
(CO 2) emissions being implemented through a series of Directives, Bills and Acts. The 2009 European Union (EU) Renewable Energy Directive set new challenging and mandatory targets for increasing the proportion of energy to be provided from renewable sources. Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published its UK-wide Renewable Energy Strategy, to which Northern Ireland and the other devolved administrations will contribute as appropriate. The Climate Change Act 2008 has set out the long term goal to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. The reforms of the Renewables Obligation in Great Britain (GB) and the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation to support less well developed/currently more expensive technologies, such as offshore technologies, aims to ensure the deployment of a wider range of renewable technologies. Banding levels were introduced to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation to provide different levels of support for renewable generation depending on the cost of the technologies involved. In addition to the environmental impetus for renewable energy, a key policy driver for the development of renewable energy in Northern Ireland is the need to increase the security of the energy supply. With a lack of indigenous fossil fuel, no nuclear power stations and a wealth of potential renewable resources, the development of renewable technologies will play a key role in the diversification of the overall energy mix. Increasing renewable energy can also deliver investment and employment opportunities. Key policies, plans and programmes relating to the OREAP and the SEA are discussed in this chapter. These relate both to energy policy and the protection of the environment. The relationship of the OREAP and SEA with other energy plans and policies is also set out. This chapter is expanded on within Appendix A, where additional relevant policies, plans and programmes are noted.
3.1.1 Energy Policy
The legislative impetus for increased levels of renewables comes from international, UK and Northern Ireland commitments to changes in the way electricity is produced and transmitted. Table 3.1 below summarises some of the key plans and legislation and their relevance to the OREAP/SEA are summarised in Appendix C. Table 3.1 Key Energy Obligations, Instruments and Policies (note this list is not definitive)
Obligation/Instrument Main Aim Renewables Directive Requires the active promotion and maximisation of renewable energy sources. (2001/77/EC) Renewable Energy Sets new targets for member states, including 20% share of energy from renewable Directive (2009/28/EC) sources by 2020 and a 10% share of renewable energy specifically in the transport sector. Common Rules for Internal Market in Implements measures to achieve the objectives of social and economic cohesion, Electricity Directive environmental protection, which may include energy efficiency / demand–side (2003/54/EC) management measures and means to address climate change and security of supply.
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Obligation/Instrument Main Aim Introduced in 2005, it requires electricity producers to source an increasing proportion of electricity from renewable sources. The 2009 Order set out the obligation level for each of Renewables Obligation the Renewables Obligations on an annual basis. Order (Northern Ireland) From April 1, 2009, a new system of ‘banded’ Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) 2009 as amended came into effect which gives increased emphasis on emerging or newer technologies. (2010 and 2011) Amendments in 2010 and 2011 made further changes to banding levels for certain technologies. Energy Order (Northern Ireland) 2003 and Places an obligation on licensed electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland to source an Energy (Amendment ) increasing proportion of electricity from renewable sources. The amount of electricity is Order (Northern Ireland) determined under the Renewables Obligation Order 2005 (as amended). 2009 DETI and Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Establishes renewable resource throughout the island of Ireland and identifies scenarios Resources (DCENR), for generation levels. 'All-Island Grid Study', 2008 Details Northern Ireland’s energy future over the next ten years and illustrates the key DETI’s Strategic Energy energy goals in terms of building competitive markets, ensuring security of supply, Framework for Northern enhancing sustainability and developing energy infrastructure. It also confirms the 40% Ireland 2010 renewable electricity and 10% renewable heat targets by 2020. On 1st November 2007 the SEM went live, commencing the trading of wholesale electricity in Ireland and Northern Ireland on an All-Island basis. Single Electricity Market The SEM consists of a gross mandatory pool market, into which all electricity generated on (SEM) or imported onto the island of Ireland must be sold, and from which all wholesale electricity for consumption on or export from the island of Ireland must be purchased. Offshore Renewable Identifies Resource Zones with targets for offshore wind and tidal energy generation in Energy Strategic Action Northern Ireland waters. Plan (ORESAP)
3.1.2 Related Plans and Policies
At present renewable generation in Northern Ireland is mainly provided by onshore wind farms connected to the NIE network – this currently equates for approximately 10% of usage (376MW) therefore meeting the 40% target will be a significant step change. The 40% target outlined in the SEF was based on the findings of the All-Island Grid Study which was commissioned by DETI and the Department for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the Republic of Ireland and published in January 2008. The Study was a comprehensive technical and economic study into assessing how the electrical grid on the island of Ireland could absorb additional levels of renewable generation at 2020. The study found that up to 42% of electricity demand generated from renewable sources of energy could be absorbed by the grid, albeit with significant investment in strengthening the electrical grid necessary with grid management and planning issues to be considered in more detail over coming years. More recently the Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) which was published in July 2009 sets out a legally binding target for the UK to generate 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020, with more than 30% of electricity being generated from renewables. It recognises that increasing renewables will have implications for grid investment, grid technology and grid connection policy. These targets and studies were taken into consideration along with some research commissioned by DETI into renewable energy targets and potential electricity consumption by 2020 when drafting the Strategic Energy Framework. This OREAP is bringing all of this work together, examining the potential role of onshore renewable technologies in contributing to EU, UK and local renewable energy targets.
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3.1.2.1 Strategic Energy Framework
DETI’s Strategic Energy Framework (SEF) which was agreed by the Executive in September 2010, sets out a vision for a much more sustainable system where energy is used as efficiently as possible; where much more of Northern Ireland’s energy is from renewable sources; and where Northern Ireland ensures that all generation is as competitively priced as possible. The framework sets out four key energy goals: building competitive markets; ensuring security of supply; enhancing sustainability; and developing our energy infrastructure.
The SEF also sets out a target to increase the amount of electricity consumption from renewable source to 40% by 2020 while also recognising there are significant implications for investment in new energy infrastructure. There are opportunities to achieve local economic benefit from the deployment of renewables and achievement of these goals will help Northern Ireland become a leading region for the research, design, manufacture and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies.
3.1.2.2 Offshore Renewables Plans and Programmes
Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020: The draft Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan, which was subject to its own SEA and consulted on last year, indicated that at least 600MW of offshore wind and 300MW of tidal energy could be developed by 2020, without a significant adverse impact on the environment or other marine users. In addition, the Plan proposed a range of legislative and operational actions to facilitate the private sector investment in offshore renewable deployment in Northern Ireland waters. The draft Plan, which will be finalised shortly, provides the necessary framework within which The Crown Estate, as owners of the seabed launched the Offshore Leasing Round in NI waters in March 2011. It is expected that Expressions of Interest will be sought from developers in Autumn 2011 with rights to enable the development of offshore wind and tidal stream projects potentially awarded by Spring 2012. Following this, the necessary environmental licensing and electricity consenting processes, it is expected that 2015- 2016 onwards would see initiation stages of offshore renewable projects, most likely offshore wind first as this technology is currently more developed than marine. As with onshore renewable electricity, these offshore developments will require access to the electricity grid and will necessitate a signficant level of grid strengthening to support the increased generation and dispatch. Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) UK Offshore Energy Plan 2009: DECC published an Energy Plan for Offshore wind in GB waters and oil and gas in UK waters in early 2009. In February 2011 it published a further Plan and associated SEA on offshore wind, marine renewables in GB waters and oil and gas and carbon dioxide storage in UK waters. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) : The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland recently published a draft OREDP for a period of public consultation. The OREDP establishes a draft framework for the development of offshore renewable energy in the Republic of Ireland and was subject to SEA. The Irish-Scottish Links on Energy Study (ISLES) Project: The ISLES Project is a collaborative project between the Scottish Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government of Ireland, supported by the EU’s Interreg IVA programme, which is assessing the feasibility of creating an offshore interconnected transmission network and subsea electricity grid based on renewable energy sources off the coast of western Scotland and the Irish Sea.
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The work on ISLES is due to be completed by the end of 2011 with reports to the partner governments. The results will be shared with the renewable energy sector in late 2011.
3.1.2.3 Cross-Departmental Bioenergy Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2010-2015
The Bioenergy Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2010-2015 which was published in March 2011 aims to increase the sustainable deployment of bioenergy in Northern Ireland. This will enable bioenergy to contribute to security of energy supply, deliver carbon emission reductions, produce economic and environmental benefits and contribute to Northern Ireland’s renewable electricity and heat targets. The key objectives adopted by the Bioenergy Inter-departmental Group are as follows:-
to raise awareness and understanding of the benefits and opportunities of all forms of bioenergy within the public and private sector and the wider community; to create and maintain a supportive and encouraging policy and regulatory framework within which the bioenergy sector can develop and thrive; to encourage and support targeted investment in key areas of the overall bioenergy supply chain to stimulate growth; and to continue to encourage focussed and Northern Ireland relevant research into bioenergy and further work to address gaps in knowledge and identify future research actions.
3.1.2.4 Conventional Generation up to 2020
In Northern Ireland, electricity is primarily supplied by the three main power stations, Coolkeeragh (gas fired 402MW) which is owned by ESBI, and Ballylumford (gas fired 927MW) and Kilroot (348MW coal fired or 476MW heavy fuel oil fired) which are both owned by AES Group, to around 725,000 domestic electricity customers and 65,000 business electricity customers. All three stations have Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) that operate on gas but can also operate on distillate (oil). Currently all generation above 10MW is bid into the Single Electricity Market.
3.1.2.5 Grid Transmission Plans
NIE is currently developing a Renewables Integration Development Project (RIDP) in conjunction with Eirgrid and SONI. This programme has 4 phases, the first two of which have completed with Phase 3 due to be completed by early 2012. The RIDP phase 3 will focus on potential transmission reinforcement options for the North West region, including a large portion of Northern Ireland and County Donegal and will look mostly at onshore wind and clustering. Phase 3 will comprise of technical, environmental and economic assessment to a level to determine a preferred scheme, leading to the development of individual projects which will be taken forward to planning and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. NIE is also developing a wider plan, Network 25, for Northern Ireland following the publication of the 2010 Strategic Energy Framework and the preferred scheme from the RIDP. The Network 25 plan will explore the need for future grid strengthening and will address grid requirements for all forms of generation including offshore renewable energy. The Network 25 Plan will be subject to a separate environmental study. NIE has also indicated that it has seen a marked increase in the number of applications for small scale wind to be connected to the 11kV network, an increase which they attribute to the recent amendments to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation which currently offers incentives of 4 ROCs per MW of renewable electricity generated for
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turbines up to 250kW. Many of these applications are still seeking planning approval but there is a potential need to upgrade the existing 11kV network. NIE is therefore considering at present how best to take this forward. In the Republic of Ireland, EirGrid’s Grid 25 Plan (EirGrid 2008) sets out grid development proposals to 2025 for the Republic of Ireland, which is being implemented through a Grid 25 Implementation Plan.
The relationships between these plans and the OREAP are shown in Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1 Grid Plan Relationships
SEF 2010 EirGrid Grid 2025
DETI SAP for Onshore NIE Network 25 Plan EirGrid Grid 2025 Renewable Electricity (Need for SEA under Implementation Plan Action Plan review)
NIE and EirGrid Renewables Integration Development Programme (RIDP)
3.1.3 Smart Grid
Building a smarter grid in Northern Ireland will facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy by changing the way energy is supplied and used. Integrating more information and communications technology coupled with the associated use of active, or smart, devices such as smart meters in homes will facilitate energy efficiency, improved services for consumers, reduced costs and carbon emissions and improvements in retail competition. A smarter grid will also help co-ordinate variable renewable energy inputs with improved demand management and so help maximise the contribution sustainable energy can make. We are likely to see a shift towards electrification in the transport sector over the next decade as well, and smart grid technologies will be available to enable this and minimise the amount of new infrastructure needed. DETI recognises the importance of incorporating smart grid technologies into future transmission and distribution electricity and gas network design and will continue to explore a vision for a smart grid in Northern Ireland. DETI will continue to work with all key stakeholders in this arena to ensure a strategic fit with smart grid initiatives and the efficient use of energy by all consumers.
3.1.4 EirGrid “All Island TSO Facilitation of Renewables Studies”
Early in 2009, EirGrid and SONI (EirGrid group) initiated a suite of studies entitled the Facilitation of Renewables, to examine the technical challenges with integrating significant volumes of windfarms onto the power system of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Due to the technical characteristics of windfarms the increasing instantaneous penetration will alter the dynamic characteristics of the power systems – the Facilitation of Renewables studies provide modelling of power
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system behaviour at these unprecedented instantaneous penetrations of wind and as such address a wide variety of distinct technical challenges. Overall the findings indicate that to operate the power system securely a limit on the aggregate windfarm output is required at times. This will be related to the capability of the conventional and renewable generation, the protection of distribution connected windfarms and the level of imports and exports on the system. The results provide sufficient information that EirGrid is confident that secure and reliable operational strategies can be developed so that by 2020 Ireland and Northern Ireland can meet their respective renewable targets. This is based on four key assumptions:
• That the use of standard protection relays on the distribution network as well as the capability of generators to ride through high rates of change of frequency need to be reviewed;
• That the conventional generators meet the standards of reserve (especially primary) that the models provided indicate and that the Grid Code requires;
• That all windfarms have the appropriate control, capability and response, particularly for voltage reactive support during disturbances, as stipulated in the Grid Code. That operational strategies to beneficially use this embedded capability are developed; and
• That appropriate operational strategies are developed and implemented allowing for the installed capabilities to be utilised to the benefit of the power system and policy targets.
3.1.5 Protection of the Environment
The focus of DETI’s OREAP is on the future development of onshore renewable electricity. In developing the OREAP and undertaking the SEA, it is necessary to understand the relationships with the existing framework of international, European and domestic obligations and agreements that currently influence environmental protection. These obligations and agreements are implemented through a framework of regulatory instruments which include Directives, Acts and Regulations. Table 3.2 lists some of the current key obligations, agreements and regulatory instruments that apply to the environment in Northern Ireland. Further details of environmental protection legislation and its relevance to the OREAP / SEA are presented in Appendix C. Table 3.2 Environmental Projection Obligations/Instruments (note this list is not definitive)
Obligation / Instrument Main Aim Sets out the framework for the establishment of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for areas containing habitats of conservation importance (listed under Annex I of the Directive) or associated with species of conservation importance listed under Habitats Directive 1992 Annex II of the Directive. (Directive 92/43/EEC Requires the establishment of a network of protected (Natura 2000) sites which Conservation of Habitats and Wild Flora and Fauna) include SACs and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) (see Birds Directive below). This also now includes the designation of offshore areas for protection. Requires ‘appropriate assessment’ of plans or projects with the potential for significant adverse effects on Natura 2000 sites. Birds Directive 2009 Sets out the framework for the establishment of SPAs for areas associated with rare (Directive 2009/147/EC on or vulnerable birds (listed under Annex I of the Directive) or for regularly occurring the Conservation of Wild migratory species. Birds) Ramsar Convention (The Convention of Wetlands of Requires the protection and conservation of wetlands, particularly those of International Importance importance to waterfowl. (1971 and amendments)
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Obligation / Instrument Main Aim Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Imposes obligations to conserve specified wild flora and fauna – precursor of the Wildlife and Natural Habitats Birds and Habitats Directives. (1979) Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Imposes obligations for the conservation of migratory species on a global scale. Species and Wild Animals (1979) Agreement on the Conservation of Populations Signatories agree to work through legislation, education, conservation measures and of European Bats international cooperation to address threats to European bat species. (EUROBATS) (1994) African-Eurasian Migratory Signatories are called upon to engage in a comprehensive Action Plan, which Waterbird Agreement addresses species and habitat conservation, management of human activities, (AEWA) (1999) research and monitoring, education and information, and implementation. Legal framework for the protection, improvement and sustainable use of surface Water Framework Directive, waters, transitional waters and coastal waters (up to 1 nautical mile (nm) of territorial or WFD (Directive waters) and groundwater across Europe. 2000/60/EC of the European Main aims of the WFD include: Parliament and of the - Prevent deterioration and enhance status of aquatic ecosystems, including Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for groundwater; Community action in the field - Promote sustainable water use; of water policy) 2000 - Reduce pollution; and - Contribute to the mitigation of floods and droughts. The Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (SR Implements the Habitats and Birds Directives in Northern Ireland. No. 380 of 1995) and amendments The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Implements the WFD in Northern Ireland. Establishes an overall framework for the Regulations (Northern protection and improvement of surface and ground waters. Ireland) 2003 The Nature Conservation Allows the designation of National Parks, Areas of Special Scientific Interest and Amenity Lands Order (ASSIs), Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and nature reserves. 1985 (NCALO) The Wildlife (Northern Aims to protect wild animals, birds, plants and their habitats, with provisions for Ireland) Order 1985, as special penalties to protect listed species. All wild birds, nests and eggs are amended protected. ,. Environmentally Sensitive Provides agricultural management measures within designated natural beauty areas, Areas Designation Order to conserve flora and fauna and geological and physiographical features of those (Northern Ireland) 2005 areas; and to protect buildings and other objects or archaeological, architectural or historic interest in those areas. The Wildlife and Natural Amends the Wildlife Order, and places a duty on public bodies to further the Environment Act 2011 conservation of biodiversity. Allows the designation of Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) and the Order The Environment (Northern also deals with air quality with the specific intention of implementing Directive Ireland) Order 2002 96/62/EC, on ambient air quality assessment and management.
The Water (Northern Ireland) Contains a number of provisions to combat and prevent pollution affecting Order 1999 waterways and groundwater.
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Obligation / Instrument Main Aim Air Quality Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR Sets out objectives to reach a certain level of air quality within a given time period. 2003/342
Air Quality Standards Regulations (Northern Places responsibility on the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland Ireland) SR 2010/188 (DoE) to designate zones in which ambient air will be protected.
Clean Air Act 1993 Provides a comprehensive control mechanism to protect the environment from smoke, dust and fumes (motor fuel in NI). Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Seeks to protect the environment from smoke, dust and fumes and repeals the Order SI 1981/158 Clean Air Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 and its amendments. Controls on Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulations Discusses substances that deplete the ozone layer, which controls the production, (Northern Ireland) SR import, export, placing on the market, recovery, recycling, reclamation and 2011/239 destruction of such substances. Establishes a framework for the UK to achieve its long-term goals of reducing Climate Change Act 2008 greenhouse gas emissions and to make sure steps are taken towards adapting to the impact of climate change. Regulation (EC) 842/2006 on certain fluorinated Aims to contain prevent and reduce emissions of the fluorinated greenhouse gases greenhouse gases (FGG).
Regulation (EC) 1005/2009 on substances that deplete Sets out rules for the management of substances that deplete the ozone layer, the ozone layer
Ozone-Depleting Substances (Qualifications) Enforces the provisions of Regulation (EC) 1005/2009, on substances that deplete Regulations (Northern the ozone layer. Ireland) SR 2011/240
In parallel with the above, Northern Ireland manages development under a comprehensive set of plans and policies which provide environmental protection. These are detailed in Appendix C, with a summary of their relevance with the OREAP / SEA. Key environmental protection policies and plans are set out in Table 3.3.
Table 3.3 Key Environmental and Land Use Policies
Policy Main Aim Establishes the framework for air quality improvements across the UK. Air Quality Strategy (2007) The strategy sets out the Air Quality Standards and Objectives which have been set in order to measure the improvement of air quality. A system of Local Air Quality Management has been in place in the UK since 1997, with the overall aim of ensuring that the national air quality Local Air Quality Management objectives will be achieved in all areas.
District councils are required to review their current air quality and assess whether any locations are likely to exceed the national objectives.
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Policy Main Aim UK Biodiversity Action Plan (1996), Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy 2002 (including Northern Ireland Species and Habitat Action Plans and Recommendations on how best to sustain biodiversity. Departmental Biodiversity Implementation Plans)
River Basin Management Plans Implement the Water Framework Directive for the island of Ireland. Shaping Our Future - Regional Development Strategy for Northern Addresses a range of economic, social, environmental and community Ireland 2025, DRD, September 2001 issues which are relevant to delivering the objectives of achieving and Shaping Our Future – Adjustments sustainable development and social cohesion in Northern Ireland. to the Regional Development Strategy – 2025, June 2008 Northern Ireland land use planning policy is set out in detail in local area plans. These can contain both local geographic designations (for Local Area Plans (various) landscape, cultural heritage, ecological etc receptors) as well as policy statements. Establishes the objectives and the policies for land use and development appropriate to the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland and which A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern need to be considered on a scale wider than the individual District Ireland (DoE, 1993) Council Area. Note that it is being superseded by Planning Policy Statements (PPSs), but some policies remain in place, including those relating to electricity transmission infrastructure. PPS 2 Planning and Nature -Sets out the Department’s land-use planning policies for the Conservation (June 1997) conservation of our natural heritage. Draft PPS 2 (revised) Natural Heritage Sets out the Department's updated planning policy for the protection and (March 2011) conservation of our natural heritage. PPS6: Planning Archaeology and the -Sets out the Department’s planning policies for the protection and Built Heritage (March 1999) conservation of archaeological remains and features of the built heritage.
PPS 15: Planning and Flood Risk (June -Sets out the Department’s planning policies to minimise flood risk to 2006) people, property and the environment.
PPS 18 Renewable Energy (August Sets out the planning policy for development that generates energy from 2009) renewable resources. PPS 18 Renewable Energy Best Provides background information on the various renewable energy Practice Guidance (August 2009) technologies that may come forward in Northern Ireland and is designed to contribute to the development management process. Reports the findings of landscape sensitivity and capacity analysis carried Supplementary Planning Guidance to out in respect of the 130 Landscape Character Areas identified in the accompany PPS 18 Renewable Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000, and contains Energy (DoE August 2010) advice to assist in identifying appropriate locations for wind energy development. PPS 21 Sustainable Development in -Sets out planning policies for development in the countryside. the Countryside (June 2010)
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4 Baseline
4.1 Introduction
Baseline information and data are collected to inform the assessment of environmental effects. Baseline data was presented initially in the Scoping Report and following comments on the Scoping Report, this has been revisited and updated. The updated baseline data and information is presented in Appendix B, B1 and E (Landscape) of this ER. Where possible, baseline data has been mapped or tabulated for ease of reference. The baseline information is presented under the SEA topics, as identified in EU and Northern Ireland legislation. Under each topic the following is provided: Sources of baseline data; Summary of current baseline conditions/character with reference to the type of data source; and
Due to the strategic nature of the Action Plan and SEA, the baseline data collected is also at a strategic level. It therefore focuses for example on sites or features which are designated or protected at a regional, national or international level. More detailed baseline information for example locally protected sites, should be considered through project level environmental assessments as schemes are developed for individual planning applications.
4.2 Likely Evolution of the Environment Without the Action Plan
SEA legislation states that the ER should include information on the likely evolution of the environment without the implementation of the Action Plan. As noted in Chapter 2, the Draft Action Plan supports an approach to the future development of onshore renewables which is market-led, rather than setting targets for the development of certain generation technologies over others. Similarly the Action Plan does not include a preference for the development, or avoidance of development, in any particular locations. The approach to the Action Plan is therefore a continuation of the current situation. Section B of this ER describes the potential strategic environmental effects of the Action Plan. As the Action Plan promotes a continuation of the existing approach, the likely evolution of the environment would be the same with or without the Action Plan.
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5 SEA Approach and Method
5.1 Introduction
UK guidance 7 presents the requirements of the SEA Directive as a series of stages as follows: Stage A: Setting the context, establishing the baseline and defining the scope; Stage B: Developing and refining strategic alternatives and assessing effects; Stage C: Preparing the ER; Stage D: Consulting on the ER; and Stage E : Monitoring implementation of Plan.
The purpose of Stage A, known as ‘scoping’ is to set the context for the SEA, define the study area, identify key environmental baseline information and agree the approach for assessing the plan. The main output is the production of a Scoping Report to aid consultation. The environmental assessment (Stage B) is the most significant stage of the SEA process. Its main focus is to assess how the plan and alternatives are likely to affect the environment. It also discusses mitigation and monitoring of environmental effects. The results of the assessment are documented in an ER (this report). This chapter discusses the approach to the assessment. This includes a discussion of the assessment method, the approach to assessing alternatives, mitigation and consultation. The limitations of the assessment are also discussed and finally the potential need for a related Habitats Regulations Assessment is also noted. Proposals for monitoring environmental effects are set out in Chapter 10 of this report.
5.2 Stage A Summary - Scoping
Scoping was undertaken early in 2010 and the main output was the Scoping Report, which was issued to the statutory consultee (Northern Ireland Environmental Agency who leads the function for the Department of the Environment, the Statutory SEA Consultation Body for NI) for a 5 week period of statutory consultation. The report was also submitted to key stakeholders for comment and published on a dedicated website for this SEA: www.onshorerenewablesni.co.uk . The scoping stage of this SEA included a workshop where the statutory consultee and other stakeholders were invited to discuss the content of the Scoping Report and the proposed scope of the environmental assessment, including the proposed method. Scoping responses have been taken into account in the development of the Draft OREAP and in carrying out the SEA. Appendix B summarises how consultation responses have been addressed. Table 5.1 summarises the main tasks undertaken as part of the scoping stage of this SEA.
7 A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (ODPM, September 2005)
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Table 5.1 Stage A - Establishing the Scope of the SEA
Task Summary Task A.1: Determine the requirement for SEA according to national and EU legislation – carried Screening out as part of scoping. Task A.2: Identify key environmental topics for assessment, based on topics stated in national and Identification of international SEA legislation and guidance. environmental topics Task A.3: Identify and review relevant plans, programmes and legal obligations; and Setting the context Identify existing environmental problems, of relevance to the plan. Task A.4: Review previous studies Collect data / information and review earlier studies to establish the potential capacities regarding potential in GigaWatts for both onshore and offshore renewable electricity generation (mainly capacity for electricity onshore wind). generation from renewables Task A.5: Determine existing grid capacity; and Analyse requirements for a Analyse requirements for a strengthened grid capable of transmitting electricity from strengthened grid future renewables identified in Task A.4. Carry out desk-based research to identify and obtain existing sources of baseline data; Task A.6: Evaluate baseline data; Collate baseline Illustrate baseline information on GIS maps, where appropriate (see Section B of this information report); and Identify techniques to measure ‘value’ of baseline data. Task A.7: Desk-based review of baseline data to identify key trends in the data; and Review of baseline Present information using Geographic Information System (GIS) (maps) and text. situation Task A.8: Identify ‘potential’ environmental effects associated with onshore renewables and grid Identify potential enhancements to focus the SEA on significant issues. environmental effects Identify gaps and inconsistencies in baseline data; Task A.9: Consult with regulators, renewables experts, academics, DETI and the SEA Steering Identify additional baseline Group on the type, and level of detail of the information that needs to be obtained to fill data to be collated gaps in the baseline information; and Identify methods for collection of additional baseline information. Task A.10: Consult with DETI, Stakeholders and the SEA Steering Group on the assessment Develop assessment methodology and assessment criteria. methodology Task A.11: Ensure that the SEA Scoping Report meets the requirements of the SEA Directive and Produce Draft Scoping national legislation; and Report Ensure that the SEA Scoping Report provides a basis for workshop discussions. Task A.12: Consult DETI and SEA Present the Draft SEA Scoping Report to DETI and SEA Steering Group. Steering Group on Draft Scoping Report Task A.13: Incorporate comments from DETI and the Steering Group; and Issue Final Scoping Report Issue Final SEA Scoping Report prior to the Workshop. Task A.14: Consult on the scope of the Consult on the Scope of the SEA using scoping workshop in addition to formal SEA (including scoping submission of Scoping Report. workshop) Interpret and evaluate responses from scoping consultation; Identify any gaps, errors or additional information that needs to be obtained prior to Task A.15: commencement of the assessment; Review scoping Consult/liaise with DETI, consultees and stakeholders to identify solutions for filling data consultation responses gaps; and Where additional surveys may be required, identify these as recommendations for further work to be carried out as part of future monitoring or research studies. Task A.16: Client and SEA Steering Provide feedback to the SEA Steering Group to develop/enhance the SEA process. Group Feedback
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5.3 Stage B Summary - Developing and Refining Alternatives, Assessing Effects
This stage of the SEA involves identifying and assessing the plan and the options (alternatives) under consideration. Mitigation measures are developed to avoid, reduce or offset significant effects. Finally measures to monitor environmental effects are proposed and later adopted. Table 5.2 summarises the tasks carried out to deliver Stage B of this SEA. Table 5.2 Stage B – Alternatives and Assessing Effects
Task Summary
Task B.1: Develop and Consult with DETI on the proposed structure and content of the Plan; and refine options (alternatives) Discuss and identify options (alternatives) associated with the Plan. Only reasonable and realistic options are to be considered. Task B2: Assess the environmental effects of options and select Assess the potential environmental effects of options. preferred option(s)
Task B.3: Assess the environmental effects of Determine how the Plan will affect the SEA Topics; and the Draft Plan for onshore Present results of the assessment in a simple matrix and GIS maps (where possible) renewables and grid (see Section B of this report). enhancements • Identify cumulative effects associated with the Plan; • Consider how the Plan may interact with existing, proposed and committed onshore renewable developments, offshore renewable developments, existing grid strengthening projects and proposed interconnectors; • Task B.4: Assess Consider how the plan could interact with previously identified existing cumulative effects environmental problems; • Consider how the plan may interact with other plans, programme and strategies; • Consider how the plan may interact with plans or proposals within the Republic of Ireland; and • Include assessment of transboundary effects i.e. how the Plan may result in effects on the Republic of Ireland. Develop a mitigation strategy with the intention of avoiding, reducing and offsetting environmental effects, as well as enhancing environmental benefits associated with Task B.5: Mitigation renewables and grid enhancements. This includes recommendations for how measures mitigation and enhancement measures can be incorporated in the Plan and the identification of mechanisms for the delivery/implementation of mitigation and enhancement measures. Following agreement on mitigation measures to be adopted by the Draft Plan; identify Task B6:Assess residual the environmental effects in light of these mitigation measures. Residual effects are effects of the Draft Plan those which remain following the implementation of mitigation. • Suggest measures for updating and reviewing baseline data to monitor the effects of the Plan; • Task B.7: Monitoring Make recommendations for addressing ‘adverse’ effects identified during framework monitoring; and • Make recommendations for incorporating the results of monitoring into future energy strategies and to inform other Local, Regional, National, European, and supranational initiatives.
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5.3 Assessment of Alternatives
5.3.1 Introduction
Northern Ireland SEA legislation 8 states that the ER should ‘identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant effects on the environment of: (a) implementing the plan or programme; and (b) reasonable alternatives taking into account the objectives and geographical scope of the plan or programme.’
The Regulations also state that the ER should include an: ‘outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt with, and a description of how the assessment was undertaken including any difficulties (such as technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered in compiling the required information.’ The purpose of this section is to introduce the alternatives that have been assessed and to explain the logic behind their development. Section 2 of this ER describes the environmental effects of the Action Plan and alternatives (also referred to as ‘options’).
5.3.2 Developing ‘Reasonable’ Alternatives
As noted above, legislation states that alternatives assessed should be ‘reasonable’. Further to this, SEA guidance 9 makes the following statement regarding the development of reasonable alternatives:
‘Alternatives should be realistic, practicable and relevant. In some cases alternatives may be limited in the light of policies set in a higher tier Plan, Programme or Strategy . There is no expectation of Responsible Authorities to assess options that would be incompatible with the law or national policy, nor is there any expectation that options or alternatives must be generated merely for the sake of assessment. However, all alternatives spanning the range of reasonable options should be identified and assessed, even those rejected at an early stage because they were considered feasible but inappropriate. The Environmental Report should include an outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt with so there is the opportunity to indicate why some apparently reasonable options were not included in the assessment .’
In choosing alternatives to assess through the SEA, the issue of whether alternatives are ‘reasonable’ or ‘realistic’ is an essential starting point. Alternatives must be within the scope of the plan and within the requirements of higher-tiered policy to be considered realistic. The scope of the OREAP is defined by the over-arching SEF. Through the SEF the Northern Ireland Executive has adopted a 2020 target of sourcing 40% of electricity consumption from renewable technologies. It sets out a number of actions including the context and need for a diverse energy mix with a range of possible onshore and offshore technologies.. Within the framework of the 40% target and the Action Plan, some of the possible approaches to alternatives are discussed below, with an explanation of why they were or were not taken forward.
8 The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 9 Strategic Environmental Assessment Toolkit, Scottish Executive, September 2006
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5.3.2.1 Onshore Vs Offshore
The Action Plan relates to onshore renewable electricity generation only and a separate Strategic Action Plan (the ORESAP) has been developed to address generation from offshore wind, wave and tidal resources. The SEF identified the need for a range of renewable energy technologies to increase energy diversity and security, and in the case of offshore renewable energy, to develop the economic development opportunities for NI companies associated with this emerging sector. It is not therefore a case of either onshore or offshore developments but recognising that onshore and offshore technologies will both be needed to ensure a balanced energy mix by 2020 and beyond. Consideration of offshore options as part of this SEA would be inappropriate as the Action Plan could not adopt them. Alternatives for the Action Plan should therefore relate only to onshore electricity generation.
5.3.2.2 Technology Options
Similarly, in line with continuing to promote a market-led approach to development, DETI has determined that the Action Plan shall not include a preference for the development of certain technologies over others for example wind vs biomass. Therefore assessing alternatives with differing proportions of development from different technologies would again not influence the Action Plan or future development preferences. Such options are therefore not considered to be ‘reasonable’ or ‘realistic’. It is clear however that the degree of maturity of technology options is likely to dictate the market response and hence the early need for network infrastructure.
5.3.2.3 Spatial Options
DETI has determined that the Action Plan shall not include spatial preferences or exclusions; instead applications for development will be considered on a case by case basis as they are at present. This approach represents a continuation of the existing market-led approach to development. It would therefore not be useful to describe the effects of development in certain specified and localised areas compared with others, as the Action Plan would not take forward a preferred spatial option.
5.3.2.4 Temporal Options
A number of initial draft options were developed by DETI which were included in the Scoping Report. These initial options were temporal; setting out the predicted levels of generation for wind, biomass and ‘other’ across a range of dates. Following further consideration and comments through the scoping consultation, these have not been carried forward into the environmental assessment and OREAP as they effectively represented one generation scenario progressing over time, rather than a number of alternatives.
5.3.3 The Finalised Alternatives – Generation Scenarios
As noted previously, the Action Plan follows a market-led approach by continuing the existing market-led approach to development. The outcome of this approach in terms of the scale and location of development is unknown as it will be influenced by planning policy, consultations, environmental constraints, market conditions and political decisions. Predicting how development will proceed at this stage involves considerable uncertainty due to the lack of detail in the Action Plan regarding technologies, locations and overall levels of generation. This is discussed further in Section 5.6. In order to address this uncertainty, the SEA has assessed different high and low ‘generation scenarios’. These scenarios are for operational development by 2020. With respect to wind, as of September 2011 approximately 900MW of capacity has been consented in Northern Ireland of which about 360MW is operational (NIE, September 2011). DETI has identified that the OREAP relates to generation from onshore wind, biomass (including Anaerobic Digestion)
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and ‘ other ’. ‘Other’ comprises generation from the following technologies: small-scale wind (typically below 1 MW), hydro, photovoltaic and geothermal. Generation scenarios have therefore been developed for each of these as follows. Table 5.3 Generation Scenarios for Operational Capacity
Low Range High Range
Onshore Wind 800MW to 1000MW 1000MW to 1200MW
Biomass 30MW to 100MW 100MW to 300MW
Other 30MW to 100MW 100MW to 200MW
The generation scenarios are discussed further in Chapter 6 and Chapter 8, which highlights key assumptions such as the likely scale and location of future development. Note: the separate Offshore SEA advises that there is also potential for 600MW of offshore wind and 300MW of tidal energy in the waters around Northern Ireland.
5.4 Assessment Method
5.4.1 Approach to the Assessment of Effects
The purpose of the assessment is to identify how the implementation of the draft OREAP is likely to result in potential environmental effects (positive and negative). This provides the opportunity to build mitigation measures into the Action Plan. It also improves transparency by highlighting potential effects in this publicly available ER. The proposed approach to the assessment was consulted on at the Scoping Report stage. It was broadly supported although some minor changes have been made in light of feedback to the approach. As proposed in the Scoping Report, the assessment has comprised two parts: Part 1 : Generic Effects (Chapter 7) Part 2 : Cumulative Assessment (Chapter 8)
5.4.2 Part 1: Generic Effects
Part 1 involved the identification of potential generic effects of onshore renewable electricity. This included identifying effects from construction, operation and decommissioning on the main SEA topics. Some of the generic effects discussed are relevant to individual projects and may be more significant at a site-specific and project level rather than a strategic level or in the assessment of the generation scenarios. For example potential effects on noise levels are likely to be very specific to, and dependent on the sensitivity of nearby sensitive receptors. However, these potential effects still need to be identified and taken into account when looking at overall development of the different onshore renewable energy technologies in Northern Ireland. Further detail on the differences between the ‘strategic’ SEA subjects and the site/project specific SEA subjects is provided in Chapter 8: Assessment of Generation Scenarios.
5.4.3 Part 2: Cumulative Assessment
Part 2 focused on assessing the cumulative effects of each of the generation scenarios. As noted in Section 5.4.3, these generation scenarios represent the potential outcomes of taking the market-led approach to the development of
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renewables which is promoted by the OREAP. In addition, Part 2 includes the assessment of a ‘minimum development’ approach i.e. taking forward only those schemes which have been consented or already exist. The SEA topics and ‘important factors’ (see Table 5.4) considered relevant in the previous section, were taken forward to the cumulative assessment. Part 2 focused on the cumulative effects of each of the generation scenarios in turn. Regarding onshore renewable generation, Part 2 analyses the likely effects of taking a market-led approach to development. The assessments are based on predictions for the likely scale of future development, taking into account projects currently at different stages in the planning process. A range of possible outcomes could occur through a market-led approach, which is reflected in the generation scenarios assessed. Where the generation scenarios have the potential to result in transboundary effects, this has been noted in the ER. The future development of renewable generation will have implications for the grid. Part 2 discusses the potential effects ‘in-combination’ or ‘synergistic effects’ from generation and grid development. Grid strengthening requirements associated with the development of renewable generation are discussed in Section 6.5. Grid proposals have not yet been finalised and this will be addressed in separate plans (Network 25 and the RIDP Phase 3). These studies will require separate environmental assessments, therefore this SEA does not attempt to pre-empt that work. Discussions regarding the likely effects of grid development in this SEA are therefore at a relatively high-level given the strategic nature of the plan. The Network 25 Plan will account for the range of generation options contained in this SEA and the Offshore SEA.
5.4.4 Mitigation
As part of the assessment, potential measures to mitigate (avoid, reduce or offset) environmental effects have been considered. These have been taken into account in the assessment, which initially considered potential effects without mitigation, and then assessed likely ‘residual effects’ i.e. where it is assumed that necessary mitigation would be applied. Where there is uncertainty regarding the implementation of mitigation, this is reflected in the assessment and noted in the discussion.
5.4.5 Level of Detail
Due to the national-level and strategic nature of the Action Plan, the identifies the potential effects on SEA topics in the context of sites which are afforded protection at a regional, national or international level e.g. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) or Ramsar sites. It does not identify potential effects on sites or features protected at a local level e.g. Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs). It is recognised that locally protected sites or features must be taken into account in project-levels EIAs.
5.4.6 Study Area and Transboundary Effects
The Action Plan relates to onshore renewable electricity generation within Northern Ireland only. Due to the potential close proximity of future developments to the Irish border, it has been considered appropriate for the SEA to consider the potential for transboundary impacts. Where transboundary impacts have the potential to occur, these have therefore been identified in Section B of this report. In addition, the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been consulted on the Scoping Report and this ER.
5.4.7 SEA Topics
The topics listed in Table 5.4 below are derived from those set out in the SEA Directive and Regulations. Under each topic a number of important factors have been identified. These factors have been refined from legislation, SEA
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guidance, the authors’ knowledge of the SEA process, requirements of DETI and an understanding of the potential environmental effects that the generation scenarios could have on the environment. Table 5.4 SEA Topics SEA Directiv e Important Factors Topics Designated sites: Natura 2000 Sites: Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Special Protection Areas (SPA) Ramsar sites Biodiversity Flora and Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) Fauna National Nature Reserves (NNR) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Reserves Protected Species: European Protected Species Nationally protected species Visual amenity Landscape character Historic landscapes Landscape Areas designated for landscape value, for example: World Heritage Sites National Parks Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) World Heritage Sites Listed buildings Cultural Heritage Conservation Areas including State Care and Scheduled Monuments Archaeological and National Trust Properties Architectural Heritage Archaeology – known and unknown Areas of Significant Archaeological Interest Parks Gardens and Demesnes Contamination Water quality Effects on waterways Water Effects on waters designated salmonid or cyprinid waters Flooding Effects on groundwater. Agricultural land Geology and geomorphology Soil stability Soils Earth Science Conservation Review Sites (ESCR) ASSIs Geoparks Noise Air quality (dust and emissions) Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Population and Local air quality Human Health Radar interference Shadow flicker Waste, inc hazardous waste, from incineration/biomass and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) waste products e.g. nitrates (water impacts) Land use Agricultural land Material Assets Mineral resources / aggregate extraction Business / private property Forestry Reduced CO 2 emissions from electricity generation CO 2 emissions from construction and operation Climatic Factors CO 2 emissions associated with the promotion of renewable electricity Need for continued use of fossil fuels e.g. open cycle gas turbines Predictions for climate change
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5.4.7.1 Socio Economic Impacts
The topics listed above have formed the basis of the assessment and none of the SEA topics as defined in the SEA Directive have been ‘scoped out’. However it should be noted that, whilst some of the activities / uses identified in Table 5.4 could be considered to have a commercial focus (e.g. property); in accordance with SEA legislation and guidance, this SEA has not included a socio-economic assessment of the effects of the plan on these activities. DETI has considered economic impacts as part of the OREAP.
5.4.7.2 SEA Objectives
This SEA has focused on the main SEA topics and related features/components as the basis of the assessment rather than developing specific ‘SEA objectives’ (which is not a statutory requirement of the SEA process). The use of SEA objectives is not a statutory requirement of the SEA Directive or SEA Regulations, although it has become recognised as standard practice in the SEA process. SEA objectives are used as a mechanism for identifying all ‘possible’ effects that need to be addressed in the assessment. However, they do not always offer the flexibility required when assessing complex plans or environments, and in some cases can lead to the ‘over assessment’ of issues which may not be appropriate and can be misleading. Objectives have therefore not been used for this SEA and instead effects on the SEA ‘topics’, as defined by the Directive and refined for this plan that have been assessed. The SEA topics are presented above in Table 5.4.
5.4.8 Assessment Criteria
The assessment criteria reflect the strategic nature of this SEA and the general approach to SEA is to identify potentially significant effects; positive and negative. Significance is a measure of the magnitude of a potential effect in relation to the sensitivity or importance of the receptor e.g. the SEA topics and ‘important factors’. A detailed and robust determination of effect magnitude or sensitivity of a receptor requires a certain level of qualification or quantification. This is generally based on the information contained within the plan or programme being assessed and the information contained within the baseline review. Through research, data collation and monitoring of existing developments, the potential environmental effects of grid and renewables development is relatively well understood. However, given the high-level nature of the OREAP and its national scope, the assessment has not attempted to qualify ‘significance’ in detail. The assessment undertaken in Part 2 is therefore based on the criteria outlined in Table 5.5 as follows: Table 5.5 Criteria for Assessing Significance
Significance Assessment Criteria The precise measure for significant adverse effect will vary across the different SEA topics. However, in general, the key factors influencing the potential for a high significant adverse effect to occur are likely to include: Permanent, long term or irreversible change in baseline conditions e.g. reduction in quality of baseline environment or effect on baseline features (receptors). Direct and indirect effects on baseline features of international or European High importance e.g. habitats, species and sites designated under the EU Habitats or Birds Directives, where habitats and species are known to be sensitive to interactions with generation or grid infrastructure. Direct effect on baseline features of national importance (e.g. habitats or species of national value/importance) where habitats and species are known to be sensitive to interactions with generation or grid infrastructure. Direct, permanent or long term effects on sensitive receptors e.g. local residents. As above, the measure for adverse effect will vary across the different SEA topics. However, in general, the key factors influencing the potential for a medium adverse effect to Medium occur are likely to include: Medium term or reversible change in baseline conditions e.g. reduction in quality of baseline environment or effect on baseline features (receptors).
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Significance Assessment Criteria
Indirect effect on baseline features of national importance (e.g. habitats or species of national value/importance) where habitats and species are known to be sensitive to interactions with generation or grid infrastructure. Direct, temporary effects on nearby sensitive receptors e.g. local residents. As above, the measure for adverse effect will vary across the different SEA topics. However, in general, the key factors influencing the potential for a low adverse effect to occur are likely to include: Temporary, short term or reversible change in baseline conditions e.g. reduction in Low quality of baseline environment or effect on baseline features (receptors). Direct effect on baseline features that are of local importance but not designated under international, European or national legislation but which are known to be sensitive to interactions with generation or grid infrastructure. Indirect or short term effects on nearby sensitive receptors e.g. local residents. Negligible effects will be identified where there is likely to be change in baseline, or effect Negligible on a baseline feature (receptor), but the level of change/effect will be indiscernible/very slight. Negligible effects may be positive or negative. No Effect There will be no change in baseline environment/features as a result of the Plan. As above, the measure for positive effect will vary across the different SEA topics. However, in general, the key factors influencing the potential for a positive effect to occur Positive are likely to comprise small-scale, temporary, short term or reversible changes in baseline conditions. The precise measure for significant positive effect will vary across the different SEA topics. However, in general, the key factors influencing the potential for a significant positive effect Significant Positive to occur are likely to comprise large-scale, permanent, long term or irreversible change in baseline conditions. 5.4.9 Connecting Offshore Generation to the Grid
DETI’s Draft ORESAP, published in December 2009, set proposed targets for generating electricity from offshore wind and tidal technologies. Grid connections will be required for any future offshore developments and the locations of these connections will be influenced by potential environmental impacts, as well as important social, technical and financial factors. While The Crown Estate’s Offshore Energy Leasing Round for NI is underway and focusing on the Resource Zones identified in the Offshore Plan, it is still too early for specific planning/licensing applications for large-scale renewable developments. Details of specific projects will be known following The Crown Estate’s consideration of bids and award of development rights, likely in Spring 2012. Access to the grid will be a key issue in the overall feasibility of such projects. To help facilitate early stage consideration of possible opportunities and constraints, DETI within its Regional Locational Guidance has developed some high-level information regarding environmental sensitivities associated with connecting offshore developments with the onshore grid. This includes the identification of broad locations where environmental impacts are likely to be most significant, at a strategic level – this information is set our in Chapter 8. In due course as projects come forward within the Offshore Leasing Round, detailed studies, including environmental assessments, will be required to identify the most appropriate locations for connecting offshore developments to the grid network.
5.5 Environmental Report (Stage C) and Consultation (Stage D)
The main aim of the SEA and this ER is to provide consultees with the necessary environmental information to inform their views on the proposals within the Draft OREAP. The consultation process helps to ensure that the findings from the SEA are accurate and correct and that all potential environmental issues have been dealt with appropriately. All formal responses to the consultation on the ER will be taken into account in the preparation of the Final Action Plan. All comments received during consultation on the ER and Draft Action Plan will be made available on the following dedicated website: www.onshorerenewablesni.co.uk . Following consultation there will be a period of review where all
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comments received on the SEA and Action Plan are considered and changes integrated into the final Action Plan as necessary. Following adoption of the Final Action Plan an SEA Statement will be prepared. This will document how the findings from the SEA and relevant comments received from public consultation were taken into account in the preparation of the Final Action Plan. This document will also be made available on the SEA website.
5.6 Uncertainty and Limitations of the Assessment
The SEA has sought to assess and mitigate the environmental effects of the Action Plan, however, the lack of sufficiently detailed information regarding future development, both in terms of the types of technologies and locations where development would occur, has limited the environmental assessment. The Draft OREAP supports the 2020 target of 40% of consumed electricity being sourced from renewable technologies, which was formally adopted through the SEF in September 2010. Beyond the 40% target, no adopted policy or document sets out how this will be achieved. The Draft Action Plan promotes the continued market-led approach to achieving this target and does not promote certain technologies over others. Therefore it is not known what proportion of the 40% is likely to be sourced from different technologies e.g. wind or biomass. However, NIE advise that applications for connections of onshore wind are likely to be at or above 1200MW within 5 years. Looking at the wider picture, neither is it known what proportion of the 40% will be generated onshore. DETI has assumed for the purposes of this Action Plan that the 40% target would require approximately 1400 to 1800 MW of installed generation capacity by 2020 depending on the technology mix going forward and will be made up of both on- and off-shore technologies. The Draft ORESAP, published in December 2009, identified targets for offshore generation to ‘develop at least 600 MW of offshore wind and 300 MW from tidal resources in Northern Ireland waters by 2020’. However there is no certainty that this level of offshore generation will be achieved by 2020, given, as noted above, the current stage in the Offshore Energy Leasing Round. To address this limitation High and Low generation scenarios have been developed for the different technologies, in order to capture a range of possible outcomes of the Action Plan.
5.6.1 Spatial Information
For many of the environmental effects which could occur through the development of onshore renewable electricity generation, the location of development will determine the significance of effects. However the Action Plan does not include any spatial proposals and it is therefore not possible to determine the precise effects which will result. Whereas the location of future housing and commercial development is ‘zoned’ in development plans, the same is not true of onshore renewable generation. Guidance, i.e. PPS 18, does exist to inform developers and decision-makers regarding appropriate location and scale for developments, however this does not define the locations where development should occur. It has therefore been necessary to make assumptions, where possible, regarding the location of development and this is discussed for each technology in Chapter 6.
5.7 Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)
A formal screening exercise has been undertaken in consultation with NIEA to determine whether it is necessary for the Action Plan to be subject to a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA). The screening exercise has identified that the Action Plan is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the qualifying features / conservation objectives of Natura 2000 sites (SPAs and SACs, as designated under the European Habitats Directive) therefore a full HRA is required. This will be undertaken in advance of the adoption of the finalised OREAP.
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6 Renewable Electricity Generation Technologies
6.1 Introduction
This chapter summarises the key characteristics of the onshore renewable electricity generation technologies addressed by DETI’s Action Plan. It focuses on those characteristics which could cause environmental effects (positive and negative) in order to inform the identification of generic environmental effects in the following chapter. In addition to the physical characteristics of devices and schemes, relevant aspects of their operation are noted. These include activities and processes occurring during the operational phase of generation, such as vehicle or shipping movements to deliver fuel. Outputs from the generation process are also noted where appropriate, such as the production of waste products. Construction and decommissioning activities are also noted to inform the identification of generic environmental effects. It is recognised that for the most part, construction and decommissioning impacts are relevant at a project-level rather than a strategic-level and will therefore be more relevant to EIA of individual schemes. Information is presented under the same headings as the generation scenarios (see Section 5.3.3) i.e. onshore wind, biomass, and ‘other’ generation. ‘Other’ comprises small-scale wind, hydroelectric, photovoltaic, and geothermal. Similar information is provided regarding the electricity grid. This information is provided to inform the identification of ‘in-combination’ or ‘synergistic’ effects.
6.2 Onshore Wind
Table 6.1 below summarises the key characteristics of onshore wind generation. Small-scale wind generation (defined as less than 1 MW) is discussed in Section 6.4. Table 6.1 Onshore Wind Characteristics
Key Features of Device / Scheme: Key turbine features: Turbines greater than 1 MW are typically 60-130 metres (m) in height (base to the blade tip). Typically painted light grey or white with a semi-matt finish to reduce their contrast with the background sky and minimise reflections. Designs commonly consist of the horizontal axis type, with three blade rotor. Foundations are generally around 2 m deep and 10-20 m in diameter. Each turbine has an associated transformer located either within the tower at the turbine base or in an adjacent structure. Key wind farm features: Permanent hardstanding area for construction / maintenance / decommissioning. Access tracks are typically around 5 m wide with increased width at junctions and bends. Wind farms have an onsite electricity substation, control building and underground cables (typically along the access tracks). Other masts are required onsite such as those to monitor meteorological conditions or provide telecommunications links. Masts are typically smaller than wind turbines. Wind farms have a large overall footprint, although infrastructure comprises a small area within. The remainder of the site can be used for grazing or other agricultural use. Operation – Processes and Outputs Operation commences on connection to the grid. Once operational wind farms require no permanent staff, although visits are required for monitoring and maintenance. Turbines are typically operated at 10 to 20 revolutions per minute. Power is, on average, generated for wind speeds between 5 and 55 miles per hour (mph). At greater wind speeds, turbines are usually shut down for self-protection. Planning permission is typically granted for an operating period of 25 years. Wind farms can also be ‘repowered’ with
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newer turbines / other upgrades to replace older machinery. The re-powering process typically requires a new planning application and supporting documentation (such as an Environmental Statement). Construction and Decommissioning The construction phase is typically 12-18 months - subject to a number of constraints, such as timing construction to avoid environmental impacts (e.g. avoiding ground clearance in the bird breeding season). Initially turbines are delivered to a nearby port and taken to the wind farm site along public roads. The upgrading of roads and junctions may be required along this ‘construction access route’. It is common for construction materials such as ground ‘fill’ to be sourced locally. Borrow pits can be opened on sites where suitable resource exists. Temporary construction compound(s) and a temporary construction storage area are usually established. Wind farm decommissioning would involve removing the turbines and ancillary works onsite. Access tracks and hard standing areas can remain onsite for use by the landowner, or these can be reinstated. Decommissioning is a similar process to construction, with specific areas set out for working and the removal of materials via a designated access route.
6.3 Biomass
6.3.1 Overview
Broadly speaking, biomass energy resource is derived from the use of organic material as a fuel source for the production of energy. Although the OREAP only addresses electricity generation, biomass can produce both heat and electricity and can also be used for transport purposes. DETI have published the Bioenergy Action Plan (August 2009) which along with the DARD Renewable Energy in the Land Based Sector – A Way Forward (2010), provide an initial action plan for how biomass will become part of the renewable energy stream in Northern Ireland. Biomass electricity can be produced from a wide range of products and by-products including forestry and agriculture, as well as municipal or industrial waste streams. Techniques for biomass electricity production include Anaerobic Digestion (AD), landfill gas, biomass from waste (including incineration and advanced thermal treatment) and biomass from grown fuel. The physical characteristics of biomass plants range substantially; from small-scale plants producing electricity for a home or business, to supplementary plants at a site which produces a different main output, to large-scale commercial operations whose main output is electricity. This section addresses large-scale biomass over 1 MW and small-scale plants (less than 1 MW) are addressed in Section Error! Reference source not found. . AD, biomass from grown fuels and biomass from waste have been addressed individually. These are considered to be the likeliest large-scale schemes to be constructed in Northern Ireland up to 2020.
6.3.2 Anaerobic Digestion
The process of AD uses anaerobic bacteria to breakdown organic material in the absence of oxygen. AD plants
produce biogas (CO 2 and methane) which can be burned in a gas engine to generate electricity and heat. AD plants typically use combined heat and power processes, but can also use gasification technology. AD can utilise any biodegradable organic material, including waste such as elements of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and sewage. In Northern Ireland, AD is seen as a potential waste management solution within the food processing sector. To this end, research is taking place to gauge if AD can become part of the existing waste management process. There is the potential for AD use at a local level as it can effectively process agricultural wastes of less consistent quality(such as slurry). However, these plants are likely to be less than 1 MW and are addressed under ‘other’ renewable generation (Section Error! Reference source not found.).
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Table 6.2 AD Characteristics
Key Features of Device / Scheme: AD is the breakdown of organic wastes by anaerobic bacteria to simpler chemical components in the absence of oxygen. The process can be used to treat biodegradable wastes – sewage sludges, organic farm wastes, green wastes, organic Municipal Solid Wastes, Commercial and Industrial wastes, etc. Takes place in a digester – an enclosed airtight vessel. Associated equipment for pre-treatment of incoming wastes and post digestion treatment of outputs. Variety of sizes and scales are possible, due to the ability to use modular units. Typical sizes range from 1 MW up to 20 MW plants. Larger plants are more energy efficient. Requires environmental permit or waste management licence, and Animal By-Products Regulations apply if meat wastes are included. Although common in sewage sludge treatment for over 100 years, AD is relatively untried technology for waste especially in the UK – Many plants in the UK are due to come on-stream in the next year or two. A typical AD facility consists of a large waste reception hall, a series of tanks and interconnecting pipework and a range of smaller buildings and cubicles housing control systems, staff accommodation, etc. The land take clearly depends on the scale of the facility – up to 3 hectares (Ha) for the bigger facilities. There are now small scale plants that can be housed in building basements. Operation – Processes and Outputs Pre-treatment of wastes is usually required. This may involve mixing or sorting and shredding of materials, which produces a more uniform feedstock and avoids the inclusion of unsuitable materials. Care must be taken to avoid poisoning or ‘shock-loading’ the bacteria by inputting unsuitable wastes. Wet or dry digesters may be used depending on the solids content of the wastes being treated. Single or multi-stage process. Multi stage processes use more than one reactor to make the process more efficient. Mesophilic (20-45°C) or thermophilic (50-65°C). Smaller units usually require heat input, especially in colder climates, while larger units are self-sustaining. Retention times between 2 and 4 weeks, depending on technology employed. There may be a sterilisation stage depending on the input materials used. Biogas output is largely methane. Biogas is normally cleaned and then burnt in reciprocating engines driving turbines to generate electricity. Ideally waste heat from engines is captured for use either in the process or an external use. Gas can be burnt directly in boiler for steam generation. Digestate output - used as compost or soil improver. Impurities and contaminants must be eliminated from feedstock or removed after treatment if higher quality compost is desirable. Plants will operate 24 hours a day although waste deliveries are generally within normal working hours. Large plants will require full-time staffing at all times although extensive use of automatic controls and warning systems limits staffing requirement out of normal working hours. Construction and Decommissioning Construction for AD plants can be handled as standard civil/structural/M&E engineering works. Unless there has been any pollution by way of escape of wastes and by-products of process or similar, then decommissioning of plants is straightforward.
6.3.3 Biomass from Grown Fuel
Biomass from grown fuel comprises the combustion of biomass fuel grown specifically for biomass production. This is different from other biomass plants as the resource or ‘feedstock’ has to be produced. This can be derived from the burning of forestry or agricultural products (such as short rotation coppice willow) or through a chain of operations from the biomass resource to the energy consumer which may include an intermediate product such as a fuel pellet, wood chip or liquid bio-fuel.
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Table 6.3 Biomass from Grown Fuel
Key Features of Device / Scheme: Can utilise timber, specialist crops (e.g. miscanthus, willow coppice) or crop residues (e.g. straw). Varying degrees of fuel pre-treatment: drying, cutting into logs chipping, pelletising, etc. These increase energy input and reduce overall efficiency but raise efficiency within the biomass facility. Can fuel boilers for heat/hot water or generate steam for electricity generation. Ideally integrated as combined heat and power (CHP). Equipment available from small scale residential up to full scale commercial >50 MW. Traditionally was a combustion process in the presence of air but facilities based on innovative thermal processes are being widely promoted at present. These produce syngas (varying proportions of methane (CH 4), Hydrogen gas (H2), carbon monoxide (CO) and other gases), oils and a char depending on the exact nature of the process. These can then fuel engines driving generators or as a fuel source or input for other processes. Operation – Processes and Outputs Nature of fuel dictates efficiency. Sophisticated controls and better efficiency generally associated with more controlled fuel sources i.e. manufactured pellets. Ash is produced as a waste – 15% of input biomass. Has a fertiliser value. Generally housed in a ‘tin shed’ type building. If pre-treating biomass on site then a raw material storage and treatment facility will be required. This could be outdoor or enclosed depending on scale. Requires a means of venting smoke, including high stacks on larger scale schemes. Construction and Decommissioning Straightforward construction. Straightforward decommissioning assuming site was well managed and ash disposed of correctly.
6.3.4 Biomass from Waste
Biomass energy production from waste refers to the burning of wastes in typically highly controlled and efficient machinery. This can include incineration and advanced thermal treatments. Fuels can include MSW, sorted elements of MSW or other wastes, residual wastes from Mechanical Biological Treatments (MBT), and waste streams such as poultry waste. Wood waste fuel is subject to constraints under the EU Waste Incineration Directive which includes treated woods, such as old furniture. Some wood wastes are considered to be excluded from the Directive requirements e.g. forest trimmings and untreated off cuts. Plants can range significantly in scale. A facility taking biomass from a waste source will essentially be very similar to a biomass facility taking grown fuel. However utilising wastes also have a number of other issues: May require a permit to ensure Waste Incineration Directive compliance. May require more extensive pre-treatment depending on the nature and source of the waste feed. Burning of waste woods contaminated with wood treatments may require control of emissions and also make disposal of ash more of a problem. Ash may contain physical contaminants (e.g. glass, metals, etc.) or chemical contaminants. Emissions may require varying degrees of gas clean up depending on nature of the wastes source. Wastes tend to be much more variable which generally implies a less sophisticated system to allow for the variability. Some innovative residual waste treatment facilities produce a RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) or an SRF (Secondary Recovered Fuel) which may be considered as biomass. However these may contain high proportions of non biomass materials e.g. plastics, which may render them as not biomass.
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6.3.5 Biomass from Landfill Gas
The existing decomposition processes within landfall sites can also be harnessed to produce renewable energy. It is an IPPC requirement for landfill site to include a gas management plan. Using landfill gas to produce electricity serves the dual purpose of remediating a waste production product and generating energy. Characteristics of this type of generation are provided below in Table 6.4. Table 6.4 Landfill Gas Characteristics
Key Features of Device/Scheme: Offers an economic solution to managing landfill gas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and control odour. Approx 15-20 years viable life after waste filling ceases. Normally required as a condition of site permit. Operation – Processes and Outputs Normally procured under a Design, Build, Own, Operate contract paying a royalty to the site operator based on sales and ROCs income. Extraction wells and pipework collection system operates under vacuum to collect gas and deliver to generation plant. Feeds gas to conventional reciprocating engines to generate electricity. This is normally modular containerised equipment which can be readily exchanged so that capacity can be suited to gas supply. Gas flare included to deal with gas during planned and unplanned shutdowns. Outputs are normally electricity to national Grid although there is technology to produce liquefied gas as a fuel. Waste heat up to 60+% of the thermal value of gas is produced. This is normally vented to atmosphere but can be captured and utilised if a local use can be identified. Once economic extraction ceases there is still an on-going requirement to deal with decreasing levels of gas which may have to be managed for many decades. This would involve a flare which as gas quality declines would require supplementary fuel. Construction and Decommissioning Most schemes are relatively small with a footprint of c.200 metres squared (m2) for a single engine. Multiple engines would only add a relatively small additional footprint as a lot of other equipment would be common to all. Collection pipework generally buried although manifolds are exposed. The plant is generally within a fenced compound and consists of the containerised equipment and interconnecting pipework and smaller cubicles containing control equipment. A flare is required to burn gas during down time. These are generally low level and shrouded so are relatively inconspicuous even when working. Generation plant removed once economic recovery ceases and replaced by a flare until such time as gas emissions reduced to an acceptable level agreed with regulators. Once all extraction and management ceases then all above ground extraction pipework and generation plant, etc, is removed. No long term pollution should remain assuming that plant has been properly managed (e.g. control of fluids used during operation).
6.3.6 Small-Scale Biomass from Landfill Gas
The characteristics of generation from anaerobic digestion, biomass from waste/grown fuel are discussed in Section 6.3. Other than size, small-scale biomass (less than 1 MW) would have similar characteristics to large commercial scale; therefore this information has not been duplicated. In addition to these forms of generation, small-scale biomass generation could include generation of electricity (and heat) from landfill gas. Characteristics of this type of generation are provided below in Table 6.5.
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Table 6.5 Landfill Gas Characteristics
Key Features of Device/Scheme: • Offers an economic solution to managing landfill gas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and control odour. • Approx 15-20 years viable life after waste filling ceases. • Normally required as a condition of site permit. Operation – Processes and Outputs • Normally procured under a Design, Build, Own, Operate contract paying a royalty to the site operator based on sales and ROCs income. • Extraction wells and pipework collection system operates under vacuum to collect gas and deliver to generation plant. • Feeds gas to conventional reciprocating engines to generate electricity. This is normally modular containerised equipment which can be readily exchanged so that capacity can be suited to gas supply. • Gas flare included to deal with gas during planned and unplanned shutdowns. • Outputs are normally electricity to national Grid although there is technology to produce liquefied gas as a fuel. • Waste heat up to 60+% of the thermal value of gas is produced. This is normally vented to atmosphere but can be captured and utilised if a local use can be identified. • Once economic extraction ceases there is still an on-going requirement to deal with decreasing levels of gas which may have to be managed for many decades. This would involve a flare which as gas quality declines would require supplementary fuel. Construction and Decommissioning • Most schemes are relatively small with a footprint of c.200 metres squared (m 2) for a single engine. Multiple engines would only add a relatively small additional footprint as a lot of other equipment would be common to all. • Collection pipework generally buried although manifolds are exposed. The plant is generally within a fenced compound and consists of the containerised equipment and interconnecting pipework and smaller cubicles containing control equipment. • A flare is required to burn gas during down time. These are generally low level and shrouded so are relatively inconspicuous even when working. • Generation plant removed once economic recovery ceases and replaced by a flare until such time as gas emissions reduced to an acceptable level agreed with regulators. • Once all extraction and management ceases then all above ground extraction pipework and generation plant, etc, is removed. • No long term pollution should remain assuming that plant has been properly managed (e.g. control of fluids used during operation).
6.4 Other Onshore Renewable Electricity Generation
6.4.1 Introduction
In addition to onshore wind and biomass, DETI’s OREAP addresses ‘other’ forms of renewable electricity. These comprise small-scale wind, small-scale biomass, hydro, photovoltaic and geothermal technologies. This section highlights some of the key characteristics of these generation types.
6.4.2 Small-Scale Wind
Small-scale wind generation is defined as that capable of generating less than 1 MW and is typically derived from individual wind turbines. Wind development over 1 MW was discussed at the start of this chapter and many of the characteristics of turbines, other than their size, are the same. Key different characteristics are as follows:
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A small-scale wind turbine would range typically from approximately a few meters to 90 m in height from the base to the blade tip. Larger ‘small-scale’ turbines were often previously used in wind farms which have been decommissioned / upgraded. The most common types are horizontal axis turbines, consisting of three blades. Other types, such as vertical axis turbines, can also be used. As with large-scale turbines small turbines are typically painted light grey or white with a semi-matt finish to reduce their contrast with the background sky and minimise reflections. The larger of the small-scale turbines would require a turbine foundation and an associated hardstanding area for construction. Smaller turbines can be affixed to other structures, such as gable walls. Grid connection of individual wind turbines can typically occur without any large-scale electricity substations or converters, however there may be significant network reinforcement requirement when the level of connections is considered in aggregate. Typically no onsite works such as control buildings are needed.
6.4.3 Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric or ‘hydro’ power plants generate electricity from the flow or movement of water. These plants are contingent on the constant flow of water to produce electricity, unless there is provision for storage of water, wherein electricity can be produced at specific times by releasing stored water. The power generated by a hydro scheme is dependent on: The head, that is the difference in height between the source / intake and the outflow/discharge; and The volume of water abstracted.
The main forms of hydroelectric generation are: Run-of-river Schemes; and Pumped Storage Schemes.
Table 6.6 Hydro Characteristics
Key Features of Device / Scheme:
Run-of-river schemes have no water storage facility and will only operate when there is sufficient natural water flow within a river. They operate by removing water from a watercourse at an intake and diverting it via a buried pipeline or open channel to a turbine. The water drives the turbine generating electricity. The water is then returned to the original watercourse via an outflow or tailrace and is unchanged in quantity or quality. Sufficient water is required to be available in watercourse or water body before abstraction will occur. This means that there will always be flow, known as the compensation flow or ‘hands off’ flow, left within the watercourse which will not be used to generate electricity. A typical run-of-river scheme will include the following components: • An intake structure located within the river. This will include a screen and connection to the buried pipeline. • A buried pipeline or open channel which conveys abstracted water to a turbine house. • A turbine house which houses the turbine and other specialist electrical equipment. • An outflow or tail race which return water back to the watercourse. • Access tracks and permanent parking at the turbine house. • A connection to the electricity transmission or distribution system.
Pumped storage hydro plants are typically larger in size than run-of-river schemes. They require the creation of reservoirs or ponds to store water. Water is pumped from a lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation reservoir. During periods of peak electricity demand water is released from the higher reservoir back into the lower reservoir
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through a turbine. The release of water drives the turbine and generates electricity. A typical pumped storage scheme will include the following components: • Two reservoirs or waterbodies - one at higher elevation and one at a lower elevation. These can be manmade reservoirs with dams or naturally occurring waterbodies. • Water conveyance system to allow transfer of between the two reservoirs. • Turbine house which houses the turbine and other specialist electrical equipment. • Access tracks and permanent parking at the turbine house. • A connection to the electricity transmission or distribution system. Operation – Processes and Outputs For a run-of-river development, the operation of a scheme involves the abstraction of water into the intake structure, which then drives a turbine before being discharged into the watercourse. Schemes are generally unmanned with access only required for routine maintenance. Operational processes for a pumped storage scheme would involve the abstraction and discharge of water from both Waterbodies, as well as the operation of the turbine. Schemes can range significantly in scale and can be permanently manned. Construction and Decommissioning The construction of a run of river scheme would generally involve in-river works to install infrastructure, diversion of the watercourse, excavating or blasting a trench to bury the pipeline (penstock) and tailrace, construction of intakes, turbine house and access tracks. Construction and decommissioning of a pumped storage scheme would be similar to the above, but may also involve the construction of a dam. With the likelihood of pumped storage comprising larger developments, they may be permanently manned with a requirement for the construction of offices and large buildings to house turbines.
6.4.4 Photovoltaics
Solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity is produced from panels which convert the radiation of the sun to electricity. PV panels can be mounted on many types of structures and are most commonly located on building roofs. In sunnier climates groups of photovoltaic panels are used as ‘solar farms’ in ground arrays. This is not currently considered to be appropriate in Northern Ireland due to the latitude and weather conditions, although innovation in incentive or technology could make arrays more popular in the future. Due to the size of a typical PV panel grid connection is provided through relatively straight forward electrical connection to the distribution grid. Due to the size and available technology, PV is often used for heating water within a building, with excess electricity sold onto the grid. Materials for panels commonly comprise tempered white glass, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) plastic, weather-protection foil and anodised aluminium frame. During operation the panels have no externally moving parts and no emissions (noise, air quality etc). Installation and removal of panels can be undertaken quickly with minimal disturbance. Table 6.7 Photovoltaic Characteristics
Key Features of Device / Scheme: Most systems do not use direct sunlight, but there is a correlation between light intensity and amount of energy generated. The site selection stage of any development requires that the average total solar energy received a year is calculated. Operation – Processes and Outputs Solar cells are generally manufactured from silicon and generate electricity through electron exchange within the cell which is precipitated by the absorption of photons. Construction and Decommissioning Depending on the solar conditions, PV systems can be anchored to buildings and roofs, however larger scale schemes can be ground mounted. While the grid connection infrastructure can be installed and decommissioned like most generation technologies. Depending on the PV system employed, they can be removed from their standings and taken off site without any permanent damage to the anchoring environment.
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6.4.5 Geothermal
The potential geothermal resource in Northern Ireland is being commercially pursued, although no large-scale electricity schemes are currently operational. Table 6.8 below highlights some of the key characteristics of commercial-scale geothermal generation. Table 6.8 Geothermal Characteristics
Key Features of Device / Scheme: • Geothermal energy can produce both heat and electricity. • Larger-scale electricity plants generally entail using water heated below the surface of the earth to heat a liquid, which then drives turbines in a binary cycle plant. • In addition to turbines and buildings to house infrastructure, geothermal schemes generally require drilling of wells/boreholes at depths of up to 4,000 m. Operation – Processes and Outputs • During operation of a low- medium temperature plant, water and fluid would typically be used to mechanically turn turbines. The extracted geothermal fluid is used to heat a secondary fluid, usually an organic fluid that has a low boiling point and high vapour pressure at low temperatures, when compared to steam. The plant gives heat to the secondary fluid through heat exchangers, in which the secondary fluid is heated and vaporises. The vapour produced drives a normal axial flow turbine. • Geothermal fluids consist of steam or hot water; more likely hot water at the temperatures encountered in Northern Ireland. The fluid usually contains CO 2, hydrogen sulphide (H 2S), ammonia (NH 3), CH 4, and trace amounts of other gases, as well as dissolved chemicals. • When used geothermal fluids with high concentrations of chemicals need to be treated or returned into the earth reservoir. • Power plants require machinery appropriate to turn heat into electricity, and thus be of a similar size of conventional plant generation. Plants would therefore be staffed and would require facilities such as offices, car parking etc. Construction and Decommissioning • Construction would require the drilling of wells/boreholes. • Temporary construction of lagoons to hold liquid waste while the wells/boreholes are drilled to their optimum depth. • Above ground development would require the construction of pipelines, buildings and turbine installation.
6.5 Related Infrastructure – Grid
6.5.1 Overview
In a general sense the electricity network consists of a transmission network, which transmits electricity between locations using the higher voltages (275kV and 110 kV), and a distribution network, which distributes electricity to customers (generally below 110 kV). The Northern Ireland transmission network comprises some 2,000 circuit kilometres (km) of 110 kV and 275 kV overhead lines and cables and substations at various locations. There is one 275 kV connection and two 110 kV connections to the electricity system in the Republic of Ireland. There is a DC Interconnection from Moyle to Scotland. The current transmission system is illustrated in Figure 6A. Grid infrastructure is summarised in Table 6.9. The transmission network in Northern Ireland operates at 275 & 110kV. The entire network uses overhead conductors, supported by steel lattice towers, to connect the major switching and voltage reduction points (substations), which then interface to the more widespread and lower voltage, distribution network. The system operates on Alternating Current (AC).
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Table 6.9 Grid Infrastructure Summary
Key Features of Device / Scheme: • 11 kV Overhead Line – wooden pole. • 33 kV Overhead Line – in the main wooden pole, very limited steel towers. • 110 kV Overhead Line – Infrastructure consists of both single circuit Portal or AP1 construction with limited use of smaller Towers for angle positions. Double circuit lines utilize steel towers. • 110 kV Overhead Line – radial circuit e.g. supply to large windfarms, typically comprises a single pole with stays and/or double poles needed at angles. Heights typically range from 12 m to 24 m with 15.2 m average using AP1 construction. 9 poles required per km on average (Averages taken from the Magherakeel 110 kV project). • 275 kV Overhead Line – Tower. 275 kV double circuits currently exist on the Northern Ireland grid. Double 275 kV circuits are taller than single 275 kV circuits and single 400 kV circuits. • 400 kV Overhead Line – Tower. The proposed Tyrone-Cavan Tie-Line (only 400 kV project in Northern Ireland) consists of steel towers of intermediate or angle design. Intermediate tower height ranges from 28 m to 42 m base varies between 7.4 m 2and 11.25 m 2. • Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) Substation - Open Air Substations. 110/33 kV substation contained in a 180 m by 125 m fenced compound (Magherakeel). 275/110 kV substation contained in a 160 m by 170 m fenced compound (Tamnamore). • Gas Insulated Switchgear (AIS) Substation – Switchgear enclosed within a building with underground cable connections. In general GIS can take one third of the footprint needed for equivalent AIS site, much more expensive. • Cables – Both onshore and offshore cables are typically buried. In some cases for offshore cabling seabed conditions don’t allow for burial. A double circuit onshore transmission cable typically occupies a corridor approximately 20 m wide, requiring 40 m for construction. There is as yet no substantial transmission cabling in Northern Ireland, although it is used in small lengths in some locations. • Convertor station - A converter station is required to transform Direct Current (DC) into AC, or vice versa. As offshore cabling is often DC, a converter station is typically required at each landing point. Converter stations are generally similar in size and characteristics to an electricity substation.
Operation – Processes and Outputs • Once operational, overhead lines, substations and converter stations have local emissions of noise and electromagnetic fields. • Noise emissions from overhead electricity lines generally consist of corona noise, which is intermittent and depend on weather. Noise emissions from substations and converter stations additional have machinery which can produce noise. • All operational electricity equipment is a source of power-frequency or extremely-low-frequency (ELF) alternating EMF. This includes both the electricity grid and electricity generation devices. EMF is mentioned in regard to grid infrastructure as an emission as it can be of public interest.
Construction and Decommissioning • The means of construction for a grid development will depend on the nature of the development, which vary substantially. • Overhead lines of voltages of up to 110 kV can be carried on wood poles, with foundations of a few metres depth. Construction is relatively flexible and short for these lower voltages. 275 kV and 400 kV overhead lines require towers, which require foundations in the order of 0.7 m to 1.5 m in diameter and up to 10 m deep. Temporary or permanent access tracks are needed to tower sites. The construction period of a tower site can in the order of four to six months. • Substations and converter stations range in size and content depending on technical requirements and site location. Construction requirements would reflect this range of requirements as well. • The construction of a cable route both on and offshore requires the excavation of a trench for the cable. Subsea cable is laid from specialist vessels and installed using jet or ploughing machines depending on the seabed conditions. • Grid development is considered not likely to be decommissioned.
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6.6 Related Infrastructure – Offshore Generation
6.6.1 Overview
Draft targets for offshore generation were set out in DETI’s ORESAP which was published in draft in December 2009. The ORESAP was subject to SEA and the associated ER was published with the Draft ORESAP. The ER included a description of the characteristics of offshore renewable energy technologies. An electronic version of the ER can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.offshorenergyni.co.uk/EnvironmentalReport.html .
6.6.2 Current and Future Generation
The current installed capacity for offshore generation comprises 1.2 MW from the MCT SeaGen tidal turbine in Strangford Lough. The ORESAP includes a draft target ‘ to develop at least 600 MW of offshore wind and 300 MW from tidal resources in Northern Ireland waters by 2020 ‘. The ORESAP SEA assessed the effects of these levels of generation and this assessment information has not been duplicated within this document. However to inform discussion of the potential for ‘in-combination’ or ‘synergistic’ effects between onshore and offshore generation, assumptions regarding future offshore generation are stated. Assumptions regarding the locations of offshore generation required to meet the draft 2020 offshore target are stated below. These are based on the Resource Zones set out in the ORESAP and SEA (the locations of the offshore Resource Zones are mapped on Figure 6A. The target referred to above relates to the development of ‘at least’ 900 MW from wind and tidal technologies. The SEA concluded that up to 1200 MW of electricity could be generated offshore without significant effects. Generation of such levels could be based on a combination of the following scenarios: 300 MW from commercial offshore wind development located in Resource Zone 1 – North Coast; 600 MW from commercial offshore wind developments located in Resource Zone 2 - East Coast; 100 MW from commercial tidal energy development located in Resource Zone 1 - North Coast; and 200 MW from commercial tidal energy developments located in Resource Zone 2 – Rathlin Island and Torrhead.
At the present time no large-scale offshore developments have been consented and no applications are currently in the planning system. There may also be potential for developing pre-commercial scale arrays in other areas within Northern Island waters. These may or may not be grid connected. However, these are not expected to contribute towards these overall targets for offshore renewable energy set out in the ORESAP.
[Type text]
SECTION B: ASSESSMENT & MITIGATION
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7 Generic Assessment
7.1 Introduction
This chapter provides a description of the potential generic effects associated with onshore renewable energy developments and associated infrastructure. The assessment focuses on the installation, operation, maintenance and decommissioning stages of a development. This assessment is non – spatial. It focuses purely on the types of effects that could occur for each technology, and at each stage of development. A detailed assessment of the potential effects of onshore renewable energy developments and associated infrastructure on key sensitive receptors known to be present in Northern Ireland is presented in Chapter 8 (Cumulative Assessment: Assessment of the OREAP Generation Scenarios). This chapter does not include any mitigation measures. Information on proposed mitigation measures are discussed in Chapter 9 in relation to specific types of development and generation scenarios.
7.2 Generic Effects: Onshore Wind
This section provides a description of the potential effects that could occur during the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning phases of onshore wind developments. Construction and decommissioning effects are likely to be similar and where appropriate these have been considered together in the assessment.
7.2.1 Potential Effects on Landscape and Visual Amenity
The potential for landscape effects from onshore wind development are considered in this section. Onshore wind development has the potential to impact on:
7.2.1.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Effects on landscape character/resource: There is potential that construction activities including earth movements, the installation of turbines, and construction of access routes could have temporary effects on landscape character and resource. The presence of site compounds, construction equipment and installation of haul routes/temporary access roads may also have a temporary effect on landscape character. The overall significance of any effects on landscape character/resource depends on the overall sensitivity of the landscape area and its capacity to accommodate change. Effects on designations: The main designated areas in Northern Ireland include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). AONBs are areas designated to protect and enhance their distinctive landscapes and scenic beauty and to promote their enjoyment by the public 10 . There is potential that construction activities, construction equipment and installation of haul routes/temporary access roads could temporarily affect the quality and intrinsic value of these sites and reduce the enjoyment for the public. Effects on visual amenity: Construction activities, equipment and the installation of haul routes/temporary access roads could have temporary effects on visual amenity in an area. The significance of effects on visual amenity depend on the sensitive receptors affected (e.g. viewpoints/ views from residential properties and/or recreation facilities and tourist sites/attractions) and the extent to which development would change/intrude on an existing view.
10 http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/protected_areas_home
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7.2.1.2 Operation Effects
Effects on landscape character/resource: Landscape effects arise from changes to the physical components of the landscape, its character and how this is experienced. Landscape character effects can also occur in neighbouring character areas. The extent to which onshore wind developments may affect landscape character is dependent on the capacity of the existing landscape to absorb or accommodate the proposed development. This will vary according to variations in the relative sensitivity and quality of different character areas and landscape components comprising the landscape area. There is potential that the presence of onshore wind developments will affect landscape character. The significance of the potential effect depends on landscape sensitivity and the magnitude of the effect. Sensitivity refers to the sensitivity of the landscape character type to the change induced by the presence of an onshore wind farm development. The Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000 identifies 130 individual Landscape Character Areas (LCAs). The publication ‘Wind Energy Development in Northern Ireland's Landscapes - Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to PPS 18’ provides sensitivity ratings for each of these 130 LCAs in relation to wind farm development. This guidance also identifies and provides an overview of six strategic landscape areas across Northern identifying issues particular to each in respect of wind energy. These six strategic areas have been used as the basis of the landscape assessment carried out as part of this SEA. The sensitivities of the six broad ‘distinctive landscape’ areas are therefore a summarised evaluation of the SPG to PPS18 sensitivity ratings which uses the following sensitivity criteria – scale; landform; enclosure; complexity of land cover and features; man-made influence; skylines and settings; visibility and views; landscape quality (condition); scenic quality; wildness and tranquillity; natural and cultural heritage features; cultural associations and amenity and recreation. Each of the 130 landscape character areas were given a sensitivity rating using a five point ranging from ‘ High sensitivity - Landscape is very vulnerable to change and would be adversely affected by wind energy development, which would result in a significant change in landscape and visual characteristics and values’ through ‘High to medium sensitivity; Medium sensitivity; Medium to low sensitivity’ to ‘Low sensitivity - Landscape is not vulnerable to change and would not be adversely affected by wind energy development, which would not result in significant change in landscape and visual characteristics and values .’ The magnitude of the development depends on a number of factors including scale, footprint, turbine size and height, number of turbines, configuration/layout of the development and overall design. Effects on landscape designations: In total there are eight AONB’s in Northern Ireland. These are discussed in more detail in Chapter 8 and Appendix D: Baseline Description. AONBs are designated to provide protection to distinctive landscapes and areas of scenic beauty. There is potential that onshore wind farms within AONBs could, depending upon the siting, scale and appearance of the development affect the quality and intrinsic value of the AONB and its overall character. Effects on visual amenity: The presence of onshore wind farms could potentially effect visual amenity and affect areas of scenic beauty and intrude on views from significant viewpoints. Development can change people’s direct experience and perception of the landscape depending on the existing context, scale, form, colour and texture of the proposals, the nature of activity associated with the development and the distance and angle of view. However, for there to be a visual effect there is the need for a viewer, usually referred to as a receptor. Receptors can include residential properties, workplaces, recreational facilities, road users, pedestrians and other outdoor sites and viewpoints which would be likely to experience a change in existing view as a result of a development. The assessment of visual effects of renewable developments of the various scales considered within this SEA would require a range of experiential and perceptual factors to be taken into account, which could include: Backdrop: development(s) seen against a simple backdrop will generally appear more coherent than those viewed against a complex variety of backdrops. Scale: the scale of the receiving landscape affects its ability to accommodate particular development(s). In general, larger scale developments tend to be better accommodated in a large scale and relatively simple landscape;
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Focus: specific views often focus in a particular direction. The location of development(s) in relation to this focus can influence the visual effect, particularly as some development(s) can form strong new focal points within the landscape; Unity: the relationship of the individual components of a development to each other affects whether it reads as a cohesive development or appears fragmented. Other built elements, such as pylons or other industry can also detract from the unity of development(s) and add to a sense of visual confusion; and Setting: the combination of landform, foreground, background and features within a view, which provide the landscape setting, influences the nature of the effect of a development. Setting also relates to the complexity or simplicity of the landscape or view and the sense of remoteness or development, both of which provide visual context for development(s). Visual effects result from the changes in the composition of available views, due to changes to the landscape and to the overall visual amenity. The degree to which receptors are affected by changes to available views depend on a number of factors, including: Receptor activities, such as relaxing at home, taking part in leisure, recreational and sporting activities, travelling or working; Whether receptors are likely to be stationary or moving and how long they will be exposed to the change at any one time; The importance of the location, as reflected by designations, inclusion in guidebooks or the facilities provided for visitors; Extent of the route or area over which the changes would be visible; Frequency – whether receptors will be exposed to the change daily, frequently, occasionally or rarely; and Orientation of receptors in relation to development(s), whether views are oblique or direct.
7.2.2 Potential Effects on Biodiversity Flora and Fauna
The following is a discussion of the potential effects of onshore wind farm developments on biodiversity:
7.2.2.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Direct habitat loss, damage or modification: There is potential for direct land take or fragmentation of habitat within the main footprint of a proposed wind farm development and associated overhead transmission line infrastructure. Habitat loss, damage or modification may result from the excavation of turbine foundations and earth movements/ vegetation removal during the construction of access tracks, location of temporary crane pads, substations, transmission pylons, construction compounds and storage areas for construction machinery and materials. In upland moorland areas, earth movements and vegetation removal during the construction of wind farms can affect the structure, hydrology and function of areas of blanket bog habitats, the dominant priority habitat type over much of upland Northern Ireland. This can occasionally lead to peat/bog slides which can cause direct habitat loss or degradation, and damage bird breeding habitats on deep peat.
Disturbance to species: Disturbance comprises many components including the physical presence of construction equipment and construction activities, noise and vibration. There is the potential that construction activities such as the excavation of foundations, construction of access roads and implementation of wind farm infrastructure could result in disturbance to bird species of conservation concern and other species such as bats. Noise and vibrations generated by construction activities could potentially have significant effects on breeding success and on foraging and roosting behaviour of various bird species and other species such as bats. Extensive disturbance could result in species displacement, see below.
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Displacement of species: There is potential that vegetation removal, earth movements, the physical presence of construction equipment, noise and vibrations associated with construction activities could lead to the displacement of species of conservation concern from key breeding or foraging areas. Depending on the duration of the construction period, the time of year of construction activities and the importance of the habitat being disturbed in terms of breeding or foraging areas, the displacement of species can vary from temporary (short term) to long term. The significance of any potential effects in terms of species displacement will depend on the sensitivity of the species affected.
Changes to hydrology: The construction of access roads, excavations for turbine foundations, and all other associated infrastructure could potentially affect the hydrology of sensitive habitats such as bogs and marshes by altering drainage patterns (increasing or decreasing flows, flow distribution). This could have an effect on associated plant species by either increasing or decreasing runoff or altering spatial and temporal distribution of surfacewater . Changes in water quality: Earth movements and vegetation removal associated with construction activities can result in increased sediment loading in surface water runoff. Where increased sediment is discharged into water courses this could have an adverse effect on water quality with possible effects on aquatic habitats and species such as otter, salmon and white-clawed crayfish, both locally and downstream. Construction activities can also lead to the accidental contamination of watercourses, through accidental discharges or spillages of fuels, oils and lubricants from construction equipment, and accidental discharge of cimentitious material. This could also potentially affect aquatic habitats and species through changes in water quality and water chemistry.
7.2.2.2 Operational Effects
Direct habitat loss, damage or modification: There is the potential for permanent loss and fragmentation of habitat from the location of a turbine and its associated infrastructure (access roads etc). Improving access to wind farm development sites has the potential to increase local access, making the adjacent habitats more vulnerable to degradation from agricultural improvements, and recreational activities, and potentially giving greater access to mammalian predators on protected species. Improved access to wind farms adjacent to designated sites may also provide opportunities for the provision of habitat restoration schemes as a compensatory or migratory measure, contributing to BAP targets for habitat improvement or creation. This is particularly the case where past management or land use has produced habitats of low conservation value.
Physical damage to species (collision risk): There is the potential for mobile species such as birds and bats to collide with turbine rotors or transmission line infrastructure, resulting in fatalities or physical damage. This is of particular importance where wind farms are sited on migration routes or in key foraging, breeding or roosting areas. As well as birds and bats of Northern Ireland provenance, there is a potential for those of transboundary provenance, including eagle species, to be at risk from collision.
Displacement of species: The physical presence of wind turbines in an area may act as a barrier to movement or lead to the physical exclusion of certain species from key areas of habitat such as breeding and foraging areas. Depending on the scale of the development this could have wider implications in terms of reducing the overall available area of suitable breeding and foraging habitat. This is of particular significance for species where suitable areas for breeding or foraging are already limited/constrained or for small populations of species of European conservation concern which have very specific habitat requirements. This is mainly of concern for bird species but can also affect bats and other mobile species.
Behavioural modifications: Clustered or very large scale wind farms can divert bird species from their desired migration/foraging routes, leading to increased flight times and additional risks (predation, energy requirements etc). The concentration over time of wind farms within an upland block may also increasingly become a barrier to movements of mobile species, particularly for migrating or commuting birds or bats. Barotrauma (bats): Barotrauma has been identified as a possible cause of bat fatality associated with wind farms. Barotrauma is caused by rapid air pressure reductions near moving turbines. This reduction in air pressure has been
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linked to possible internal tissue damage and an expansion of the lungs. Research into fatalities of bats associated with wind farms identified that in some cases a large proportion of the bats did not exhibit any external injuries that would be consistent with collision impacts but had internal haemorrhaging and the majority of the bats that did have external injuries also had internal haemorrhaging (Baerwalda et al 2008 ), Physiological adaptations to flight (Maina and King 1984) that are common to bat species (thin blood-gas barriers, large pliable lungs) and result in susceptibility to sudden changes in air pressure suggest that barotrauma is also likely to be a potential cause of mortality in those species that occur in Northern Ireland.
7.2.3 Potential Effects on Water
The following is a description of the potential effects associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of onshore wind turbines on the water environment.
7.2.3.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Release of sediment: There is potential for earth movements, vegetation removal and the creation of new access roads during construction to result in the exposure of underlying soils and bedrock in the main area of development. This may lead to an increased potential for surface run-off and increased rates and speeds of overland flow which will increase the potential for erosion and transportation of sediment into local watercourses. Excavations on site may also require the removal of groundwater and direct rainfall which could further increase the transportation of sediments into local watercourses. Most potential effects during construction will be localised, short-term and temporary. However, depending on the levels of sediment discharged in to the surrounding watercourses, there could be longer term effects on aquatic habitats and species. There is also potential for the increased transport of sediment to watercourses during the removal of areas of hard standing as part of decommissioning. Disturbance of contaminated sediments: There is potential for earth movements and foundation excavations during the construction of a wind farm to lead to the disturbance of historically contaminated sediments. The significance of any potential effects depends on the nature of the materials disturbed (e.g. domestic or industrial waste) and the sensitivity of the local receptors. In terms of water quality most potential effects resulting from the disturbance of contaminated sediments are likely to be temporary. However, depending on the type and amount of material released, these effects could be longer term with potential contaminants being dispersed over a much wider area and persisting for a longer time within the environment.
Accidental release of contaminants: There is potential that construction and decommissioning activities may lead to the accidental spillage or leakage of oils, lubricants or other chemicals which may potentially entre nearby watercourses. Depending on the proximity of watercourses effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short –term and temporary. However, as with contaminated sediments, depending on the type and amount of materials released these effects could be longer term with contaminants being dispersed over a wider area and persisting for a longer time within the environment.
Creation of pollutant pathways: If piled foundations are used in the construction of the wind development there is a potential for pollutant pathways to be created which may adversely affect the groundwater quality.
Increased surface water run-off: The construction of the wind turbines requires the creation of hard standing and potentially access tracks. Relatively small changes from undeveloped ground to hard surfacing and surface gradients can cause flooding. The construction process may also involve the stripping of surface vegetation which will expose underlying soils and bedrock increasing the total surface run-off and the rate and speed of overland flow which can contribute to increased flood risk. The increase in impermeable areas and therefore surface run-off in a catchment has the potential to increase pluvial and surface water run-off flooding. This effect will continue through the operational and decommissioning phase unless hard standing is removed during decommissioning in order to reinstate the site to its original use.
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Pollution of groundwater and surface water: Pollution can arise due to improper management of waste, sanitary plumbing and other liquid storage in the construction compound. Concrete is highly alkaline, i.e. has a high pH, and changes in the pH balance could impact on the chemical water quality and the species that depend upon the current baseline conditions. This could occur from leakage of liquid concrete during pours resulting in release of suspended solids into the on-site water courses.
Watercourse crossings: Bridges and/or culverts required as part of new access routes have the potential to effect natural water flows and stream geomorphology.
7.2.3.2 Operation Effects
Accidental release of contaminants: There is a possibility that routine maintenance operations may lead to release of contaminants to water. These could include fuel and lubricating oils, cleaning fluids, paints, specialised chemicals and litter. Depending on the proximity of watercourses effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short –term and temporary. However, the implementation of pollution prevention practice will minimise these potential effects. Increased surface water run-off : Increased hard standing associated with turbine foundations and access tracks could potentially lead to an increase in the rate and amount of surface run-off. This could potentially lead to increased levels of soil erosion in areas of exposed earth/ground. An increase in the amount of impermeable surface area in a catchment also has the potential to increase localised pluvial and surface water flooding.
7.2.4 Potential Effects on Soils and Geology
The following section includes a description of the potential effects from construction, operation and decommissioning of wind farm developments in on soils and geology.
7.2.4.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Erosion of exposed ground: The construction process may involve the removal of surface vegetation and/or topsoil which may expose underlying soils and bedrock. The construction of tracks and cable trenches has the potential to alter natural drainage on a site by the development of preferential flow pathways; this may increase the speed of run-off with the potential for the erosion of exposed ground.
Loss of agricultural land: The construction of access tracks and hard standing for wind turbine foundations, typically makes up approximately 5 – 10% of the total site area, This infrastructure may be retained on site, resulting in a loss of productive agricultural land. There may also be a loss of areas for temporary uses during construction and decommissioning activities. The significance of these effects will depend on the quality of land to be lost and the type of farming activity. There is also the potential for a cumulative loss of productive land. Areas used for temporary compounds will have short-term temporary effects where as the turbine hard standing and access tracks could lead to longer term permanent effects unless land is reinstated after decommissioning.
Effects on peat: The construction of wind developments in peat areas may lead to habitat loss, loss of associated sensitive species, hydrological disruption and the release of carbon, which will reduce the overall carbon saving benefits of renewable wind development. The construction of hard standing areas and drainage ditches associated with wind farm developments has the potential to remove water from the peat, leading to erosion. In some areas the construction of drainage ditches may also cause the lowering of the water table leading to fresh peat being exposed on the surface which will lead to the fresh peat drying out and oxidising releasing carbon dioxide and water. This release continues the lowering if the water table continuing the drying out process. The drying out process leads to peat desiccation which can cause peat slides, where huge volumes of peat can be lost from the hillside.
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Loss of geological/geomorphological features, including designated sites/features: The construction of access tracks and the excavation of foundations for wind turbines could potentially result in the direct loss of, or damage /disturbance to geological/geomorphological features. These potential effects are likely to be permanent. The overall significance of these effects depends on the importance of the geological feature e.g. if a site is designated as an ASSI for its geological value.
Accidental release of contaminants: There is potential that construction and decommissioning activities may lead to the accidental spillage or leakage of oils, lubricants or other chemicals. This risk is greater near to excavations where higher permeability strata are exposed. Effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short – term and temporary. However, depending on the type and quantity of materials released there is potential that contaminants could be dispersed over a wider area and persist in the environment for a longer period of time.
7.2.4.2 Operation Effects
Accidental release of contaminants: There is a possibility that routine maintenance operations may lead to release of contaminants to land. These could include fuel and lubricating oils, cleaning fluids, paints, specialised chemicals and litter. Effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short – term and temporary although some substances could be dispersed over a wider area and persist in the environment for a longer period of time.
7.2.5 Potential Effects on Cultural Heritage including Archaeological and Architectural Heritage
The following is a description of the potential effects that the construction, operation and decommissioning of onshore wind could have on archaeological sites and features and archaeological heritage.
7.2.5.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
During construction and decommissioning, archaeological sites and features in the area of the development and local vicinity could be affected in the following ways: Physical effects on designated, undesignated and unknown historic and archaeological resources: There is a potential for significant adverse effects resulting from the destruction or disturbance of previously undiscovered sites and artefacts, both surface and buried, within the footprint of the wind turbines. Effects may arise as a result of excavation of turbine foundations, construction of access tracks, temporary crane stands, substation and compound locations, storage areas and/or Infrastructure improvements for turbine delivery route. The potential for damaging/disturbing an archaeological site will depend on the opportunity to avoid the resource either through the siting of the development as a whole or modifying the placement of foundations or the layout of a wind farm. There is also potential for significant effects on previously unrecorded archaeological sites or remains which could be accidentally disturbed and potentially damaged or destroyed during construction. The potential for construction activities to disturb unrecorded remains depends on the overall archaeological potential of an area. It may be necessary to carry out trail trenching or employ a watching brief during the construction period if development is located in an area which has been identified as having potential for archaeological remains to be present.
Visual effects on the setting of designated and undesignated historic sites and features: During construction or decommissioning there is potential for the physical presence of machinery and construction activities to visually intrude on the setting of important archaeological or historic sites. The significance of the potential effect will depend on the vicinity of the resource to the development, the feature of concern, the duration of the construction period and the degree of visual intrusion caused.
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7.2.5.2 Operational Effects
During operation, archaeological sites in the vicinity could be affected in the following ways:
Visual effects on the setting of designated and undesignated historic sites and features: The physical presence of a wind farm could potentially have a permanent, long-term effect on the setting of archaeological sites and heritage assets. The significance of these effects depends on the level of visual intrusion on the setting of the archaeological or historic site/feature. This is influenced by the proximity of the development to the site/feature and the importance of the site or feature, the layout and scale of the development, its overall appearance and whether there are any opportunities for screening the development.
7.2.6 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Recreation and Tourism
7.2.6.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Potential effects on recreational sites and tourist attractions: There is potential for construction activities associated with the installation of wind farms such as the installation of turbines, associated infrastructure and access routes, the physical presence of construction equipment and storage areas/compounds, excavations, earth moving and vegetation removal, transportation of turbine parts, and noise and vibrations to effect the recreational and amenity value of an area. These activities may also affect the quality and value of key tourist attractions either directly or by affecting the setting of such sites/attractions. Most effects during construction would be short term and temporary. However, depending on the timing of construction activities and the importance of the area/tourist attraction these effects could be significant, in particular if construction activities result in restricted access to recreation sites and tourist attractions or affects the quality and general visitor experience of an area or attraction. This could result in a temporary displacement of visitors from a particular site/area or attraction. Diversion/redirection of recreational routes (footpaths, cycleways, bridleways): There is potential that, during the construction of wind farms and associated infrastructure and access routes, there could be a requirement to close or divert existing public rights of way, coastal paths and national trails and other footpaths, cycleways and bridleways. These closures/diversions would mainly be a health and safety measure, and in most cases, recreational routes would be reopened following once construction of the wind farm has been completed. However, depending on the location of a development, it may be necessary for some recreational routes to be diverted permanently where routes pass through the wind farm site. However, there is also potential for new or improved access to be provided. Given the site specific nature of the diversion/redirection of recreation routes, it cannot be fully addressed strategically.
7.2.6.2 Operation Effects
Potential effects on recreational sites and tourist attractions: There are a number of areas designated across Northern Ireland for their recreational value or are recognised as important tourist attractions. These include the eight main Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site (WHS). The Giant’s Causeway WHS is recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s most important tourist sites, attracting large numbers of visitors every year. Further detail on the AONBs, Giant’s Causeway WHS and other tourist attractions is present in Appendix B: Baseline. There is potential for the physical presence of a wind farm to affect the intrinsic scenic, amenity and recreational value of recreational areas and tourist attractions. These effects would either be directly as a result of a development being located within an area of importance for recreation or tourism or indirectly as a result of the development affecting the setting of, or views from, important recreational areas and tourist attractions. It is acknowledged that the presence of a wind farm could potentially affect an area or attraction. However, it is necessary to take into account the variations in perceived and actual public opinion/views on wind farms. Not all
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individuals agree that the presence of wind farms has a negative effect on landscape character and in some cases the presence of wind farms is considered to have positive effects. Furthermore, no evidence is available which demonstrates that effects on landscape character from wind farms results in a reduction in tourism/recreational activity.
Permanent diversion or closure of recreational routes (footpaths, cycleways and bridleways): There is potential that as part of the development there could be a requirement to close or permanently divert existing public rights of way, coastal paths and national trails and other footpaths, cycleways and bridleways. The significance of any potential closures or diversions would depend on the level of use on the route and the importance and recreational value of the route nationally, regionally and locally. There are a large number of footpaths, cycleways and bridleways distributed across Northern Ireland. Potential effects on specific routes would have to be examined on a project and site specific basis.
7.2.7 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Noise, Air Quality, Waste and Transportation
The following section provides a description of the potential effects of onshore wind developments on noise, air quality and waste. The effect of noise on biodiversity, flora and fauna is discussed in Section 7.2.2.
7.2.7.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Noise and vibration: During construction of a wind farm the main sources of noise and vibrations are likely to include ground excavations, earth movements, transportation of turbine parts, turbine installation, construction of access routes and the operation of other construction equipment. The potential for adverse effects associated with noise and vibrations depends on the proximity of the development to sensitive receptors e.g. local residential properties, the duration of the construction period and working hours e.g. works limited to between 8am and 5pm or 24 hour operations. All potential effects are likely to be short term and temporary in nature. Air quality effects: Nuisance and health effects due to dust emissions and vehicle and plant exhaust emissions: During construction and decommissioning of a wind farm there is potential for adverse effects on local air quality due to dust, particulate and vehicle emissions generated by construction/decommissioning activities e.g. ground excavations and earth movements, construction of access routes, operation of construction equipment and transportation of turbine parts. The significance of any potential effects depends on the proximity of the development, associated infrastructure and access routes to sensitive receptors e.g. local residential properties. Most effects will be localised, temporary and short term in nature. Waste: Depending on the location of the development there may a requirement for materials to be removed from the site. Where appropriate all soil and aggregates should be recycled on site. However, where potentially contaminated materials are present these may need to be removed from the site to be treated and disposed of appropriately e.g. in suitable landfills. There may also be a requirement if there are invasive species on the site for these to also be removed for controlled disposal. The removal of waste from a site could generate noise and dust nuisance from the ground excavations, vegetation removal and vehicle movements. The significance of the effects associated with the removal of waste depends on the overall quantities of materials to be removed, the nature of the materials and the proximity of the development and associated access routes to sensitive receptors. Traffic and transport: There will be a requirement, as part of the construction and decommissioning of a wind farm, for the transportation of the various components of the wind turbines. This will include the movement of components from the point of production to the development site. Due to the size of wind turbines the main effects on traffic and transport are associated with the movement of large abnormal loads. This can lead to congestion on local roads caused by large, slow moving vehicles, increased noise levels and vibrations, reduced air quality from vehicle emissions and general environmental and public disturbance. In most cases, access routes to development sites will be assessed to ensure that the movement of large vehicles can be accommodated and suitable routes to the sites avoiding local communities and utilising large, well maintained roads should be used as much as practically possible.
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7.2.7.2 Operation Effects
Noise: The main source of noise from operational wind turbines is from the rotation of the turbine blades with noise outputs from the grid connection infrastructure. There are two sources of turbine noise, the turbine blades passing through the air as the hub rotates, and the gearbox and generator in the turbine. The potential for operational wind farms to have adverse effects on local noise levels depends on the proximity of the development to sensitive receptors. Wind farms developments in remote locations generally will have less of an effect on noise levels and noise nuisance than developments close to residential areas. Noise levels and the potential for noise nuisance is also determined by the layout of a development and its orientation in relation to prevailing wind directions and surrounding receptors. Air quality effects: Operational wind farms do not have any effects on air quality as there are no emissions to air from either the wind farm or associated infrastructure. There may be emissions from maintenance vehicles. However, due to the limited requirements for site maintenance in terms of frequency and number of personnel involved, the potential effects of these emissions on local air quality are negligible. Waste: There is unlikely to be any requirement to remove or dispose of waste from an operational wind farm site as all waste will have been dealt with during the construction of the development. Therefore there are no effects associated with waste. Traffic and transport: Other than the transportation of new/replacement parts for operational wind turbines and the movement of maintenance vehicles and general traffic levels associated with operational wind farms will be minimal to negligible. Therefore there will be no effects on local road networks or traffic flows.
7.2.8 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Shadow Flicker
The following section provides a description of the potential effects of wind farm developments in terms of shadow flicker and EMF. These effects are only associated with the operation of a wind farm and associated electrical infrastructure and therefore have only been discussed in terms of operation effects.
7.2.8.1 Operation Effects
Shadow flicker: Under certain combinations of conditions e.g. geographical position, time of day and year, wind speed and wind direction, the sun may pass behind wind turbine rotors and cast shadow over neighbouring buildings’ windows. When the blades rotate, and the shadow passes a window, to a person within that room the shadow appears to flick on and off; this effect is known as shadow flicker. It is recommended that for receptors which are witin 500m of the turbine locations, shadow flicker should not exceed 30 hours per year or 30 minutes per day (DOE Planning Service). The shadow flicker problems are reduced as distance from the turbine increases, to the point that at a distance of 10 rotor diameters from a turbine, the potential for shadow flicker very low. It occurs only within buildings where the flicker appears through a window opening and only buildings within 130 degrees either side of north relative to a turbine. Where sShadow flicker is present, it creates a nuisance to amenity where people are within the rooms affected by the phenomenon and at certain frequencies the flickering effect caused can have the potential to induce epileptic seizures, through a condition known as photosensitive epilepsy. The overall significance of effects associated with shadow flicker depends on the proximity of a development to residential properties and the orientation and layout of a wind farm.
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7.2.9 Potential Effects on Material Assets
The following section provides a description of the potential effects of onshore wind developments on material assets.
7.2.9.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Land use: There is potential that construction activities such as the installation of turbines and the associated electrical infrastructure, construction of access routes and the transportation of turbine parts could lead to temporary disruptions in access to surrounding land uses e.g. agricultural land, forestry, business/industrial premises and residential properties. These disruptions to access are likely to occur either as a result of closure or diversion of existing access routes/points or due to congestion caused by the transportation of wind farm parts (discussed in Section 7.2.7.1). Construction activities may also affect access to or use of recreational facilities/areas (including footpaths, cycleways and bridleways) and tourist attractions as discussed in Section 7.2.6.1). The significance of potential effects on land use depends on the duration of the construction period and the number of properties/types of land uses affected. Most effects will be temporary and short term in nature. Mineral resource/aggregates and forestry: As discussed above, there is potential that construction activities could lead to restrictions in access to key areas used for mineral and aggregate extraction and forestry. The likely significance of these effects would depend on the duration of the construction period and the number of properties/types of land uses affected. Most effects will be temporary and short term in nature Commercial and residential property: In addition to restricted access there is potential for construction activities to have effects on commercial and residential properties in terms of affecting views from properties and the overall setting and aesthetic value of a property. Further details on potential effects of wind farms on landscape character and visual amenity is provided in Section 7.2.1. The main sources of potential effects on properties include the physical presence of construction equipment and the appearance of a construction site and construction activities and general disturbance and nuisance (noise and dust) from construction activities such as earth movements, ground excavations, turbine installation, construction of access roads. Properties located along main transport routes (for transporting large turbine parts) may also be affected during construction. The significance of the effects will depend on the duration of the construction period, working hours, the proximity of the wind farm to surrounding development and the type of property affected e.g. residential, community facilities e.g. schools and commercial, business or industrial units. It is likely that most effects would be temporary and short-term.
7.2.9.2 Operation Effects
Radar and electromagnetic interference: There is potential that wind farm developments could have potential effects on aviation and other radar (e.g. shipping), television and radio links and other microwave point to point links. Aviation radar may be affected by wind farm developments in two ways; the physical obstruction caused by the turbines and the effect that the turbine structure and rotating blades may have on communications, navigation and surveillance systems. The performance of civil radar may be degraded by the electromagnetic signal generated by turbine motion. Resulting effects include false radar responses and the masking of objects in the sky in the lee of wind farms. This can affect civil and military radar. Depending on the location of wind farms activities such as search and rescue and marine and coastguard radar signals can also be affected. Turbine density, individual turbine size, construction material and blade shape are factors which may influence the degree to which radar is affected. Certain civil and military aerodromes and technical sites are officially safeguarded to ensure that their operation is not compromised by developments such as wind farms. NATS (En Route) Plc (“NERL”) is responsible for the safe and expeditious movement in the en-route phase of flight for aircraft operating in controlled airspace in the UK 11 . When identifying possible sites for development it will be necessary for developers to consult NATS and the CAA to identify whether the proposed development lies within a ‘potential to interfere’ NERL area or is within any 30km consultation areas applied to airports and other aerodromes.
11 http://www.bwea.com/aviation/nats.html
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Wind farm developments also have the potential to interfere with television, radio and other communication links by causing the distortion or corruption of signals. Where there is television or radio interference this can lead to ghosting or television pictures becoming jittery or radio reception can become unclear and congested. Consultation is required with a range of telecommunications and other operators to identify where links exist and determine whether a development would interfere with those links. Land use: Land use: Wind farm developments are likely to result in a long term change of land use in a certain location. Usually wind farms are developed in open, rural locations where there is an uninterrupted supply of wind. The main land use in these locations is generally agricultural (grazing or arable farming). Depending on the scale and layout of the development it may still be possible for some agricultural practices to continue within the main area of development. The retention of existing land use and diversification into other agricultural practices can take place with agreement between the farmer and wind developer. In other instances wind farm developments have been sited on former areas of plantation woodland/forestry. Some wind farm developments are located in more urban/developed locations. These developments tend to be smaller in scale comprising a small number of turbines (e.g. 2 or 3) and generally form part of a larger development, new or existing, e.g. the installation of turbines within car parks for large commercial/retail developments. The significance of any potential effect on land use depends on the location and scale of the development, and the type and value of the land use affected. In addition to having a direct effect on existing land uses within the main area of development in terms of direct changes of use, wind farm developments could have adverse effects on surrounding land uses. Mineral resource/aggregates and forestry: There is potential that wind farm developments could lead to the longer sterilisation of mineral and aggregate resources or forestry areas. Consultation would be required to determine the whether an area is likely to be exploited longer term for mineral and aggregate extraction or developed for forestry uses. Wind farm developments could also place long term restrictions on access to existing or future mineral and aggregate extraction areas and forestry areas Commercial, residential and other property: There is a perceived risk that wind farm developments in certain locations could potentially have an adverse effect on the local amenity value and the aesthetic quality of residential properties, in particular where developments intrude on key views from properties. Further detail on potential landscape and visual effects is provided in Section 7.2.1.
7.2.10 Potential Effects on Climatic Factors:
The following is a description of the potential effects that the construction, operation and decommissioning of onshore wind could have on climatic factors.
7.2.10.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
During construction and decommissioning, air quality could be affected in the following ways:
Vehicle emissions: During the construction and decommissioning of a wind farm there is potential for CO 2 emissions to be generated by construction equipment and vehicles and during the transportation of wind turbine parts. However, it is likely that these effects will be temporary and short term in nature and, in the context of managing climate change at a strategic/national level are likely to be of negligible significance.
7.2.10.2 Operational Effects
Beneficial effects on climate from the generation of electricity from renewable/none fossil fuel sources: Any
generating plant (including renewable energy developments) holds embodied CO 2 – that is, CO 2 emissions associated with the manufacture of the turbines, including raw material extraction and transport. However, these are generally
offset by the positive effects of generating electricity from a fuel source that does not generate any CO 2 emissions.
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In general the greater the proportion of energy generated by wind compared with fossil fuel combustion, and other fuel combustion, the greater the positive effects. The significance of these positive effects range depends on the size, type and location of traditional generation plant being decommissioned, and the proportion of wind making up the overall generation levels. Traditional fossil fuel based power generation involves the direct emission to air of various pollutants,
including ‘greenhouse gases’ (mainly carbon dioxide (CO2) which contribute to global warming. Renewable technologies such as onshore wind result in near-zero operational emissions to air and hence their use in place of traditional fossil fuels will result in greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Impacts are therefore considered to be positive with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and climate.
7.3 Generic Effects: Biomass
The following section provides a description of the potential environmental effects associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of biomass generation (AD, landfill gas, biomass from waste and biomass from grown fuel). Where there is a specific issue with a specific technology, the name of the technology has been stated along with the issue. For most effects construction and decommissioning effects are likely to be similar, therefore, where appropriate they have been considered together in the assessment.
7.3.1 Potential Effects on Biodiversity Flora and Fauna
The potential for biodiversity effects from onshore biomass during construction, operation and decommissioning are considered as follows.
7.3.1.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Direct habitat loss, damage or modification: Land take is required for the footprint of the biomass plant. This would result in the loss of, or damage to habitats located in the area of land take (where the biomass plant will be sited), as would be the case with any type of development. In terms of the size of plant, AD plants tend to be small in scale and therefore require relatively small areas of land take for development. In comparison, larger biomass plants would have a larger foot print but would also have the same habitat fragmentation issues as any land use development. The likely significance of any land take and associated vegetation removal will depend on plant siting, primarily if biomass plants are located in predominantly brown field site because of their proximity to fuel sources. Where biomass plants are located in green field site, they incur the same impacts to habitats as any other type of development and would require appropriate mitigation as a result.
Disturbance to species: Disturbance comprises many components including the physical presence of construction equipment and construction activities, noise and vibration. There is potential that construction activities such as the excavation of foundations, earth movements, vegetation removal, transportation of materials to and from the site, and the presence of construction equipment, storage compounds and temporary offices could lead to the disturbance of a range of species of conservation concern including birds, bats, smooth newts, badgers, otters etc. However these issues are not exclusive to biomass plant installation and are the produce of any type of development activity. As a result of this, there are site specific assessment and mitigation techniques to minimise the impact of construction on species of conservation concern.
Noise and vibrations generated by construction activities could potentially have significant effects on breeding, foraging and roosting behaviour of various bird species and other species such as bats. Extensive disturbance could result in species displacement, see below.
Displacement of species: There is potential that vegetation removal, earth movements, the physical presence of construction equipment, noise and vibrations associated with construction activities could lead to the displacement of
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species of conservation concern from key breeding or foraging areas. Depending on the duration of the construction period, the time of year of construction activities and the importance of the habitat being disturbed in terms of breeding or foraging areas, the displacement of species can vary from temporary (short term) to long term. The significance of any potential effects in terms of species displacement will depend on the sensitivity of the species affected.
Changes to hydrology: The excavations of biomass plant foundations, earth movements and vegetation removal could potentially alter the hydrology of sensitive habitats by altering drainage patterns (increasing or decreasing flows, flow distribution). This could have an effect on associated plant species and communities by either increasing or decreasing runoff or altering spatial and temporal distribution of surface water and groundwater. The distribution of breeding bird species that depend on wetland habitats could also be modified. Changes in water quality: Earth movements and vegetation removal associated with construction activities can result in increased sediment loading in surface water runoff. Increased sediment discharge into water courses could have an adverse effect on water quality with possible effects on aquatic habitats and species such as otter, salmon and white- clawed crayfish. Construction activities can also lead to the accidental contamination of watercourses, through accidental discharges or spillages of fuels, oils and lubricants from construction equipment and accidental discharge of cementitious material. This could also potentially affect aquatic habitats and species through changes in both water quality and water chemistry.
7.3.1.2 Operational Effects
Habitat modification: Biomass plants require a fuel source within close proximity to the plant to work efficiently. Although AD plants can use any biodegradable organic material, crops such as grass silage may be grown specifically for AD purposes. Grass silage is currently grown throughout Northern Ireland and due to this, DARD controls the amount of land exploited for silage production, thereby minimising the potential for valued habiats being lost to silage production. Land management techniques could be imploved if existing crops were to be replaced by grass silage production to minimse the impacts to open-nesting and other farmland bird species. Planting other biomass crops in inappropriate locations may reduce foraging areas for NI Priority Species of wintering passerines (e.g. buntings, larks), waders, geese and swans, and for upland or farmland breeding birds. The area of land take for biomass crop production that already exists has yet to reach a threshold at which it is likely to have an adverse effect on species of conservation importance. Planting of biomass crops on land of low ecological value has the potential to increase habitats available for species of conservation concern. Provision of biomass tree crops could potentially have positive effects in providing shelter for some protected species, such as badger and otter, or breeding bird species of conservation concern (e.g. dunnock, song thrush). However, the *higher densities of these taxa are likely to occur around plantation edges, and are unlikely to provide a realistic index of its positive impact on species of conservation concern. Wood used as a fuel source for biomass plants could be sourced from traditional woodland management. Actively coppiced woodland supports a wide range of species, often at high population densities, and widespread uptake of coppicing as a management option will support NI Habitat Action Plans, and may support NI Species Action Plan species. Emissions to water : Waste-water containing high concentrations of metals, dissolved nitrogen and organic matter may be produced from anaerobic digestion biomass technologies during operation. Part of the permitting process for any biomass plant, water treatment would be included, thereby minimsing the impact of emissions to water. Without appropriate treatment these discharges could potentially have significant effects on aquatic ecosystems, in particular where discharges contain substances/compounds that can lead to the eutrophication and possible deoxygenation of water bodies or may persist in the wider environment for a significant period of time. Emissions to air: Biomass plants have the potential to generate air emissions during operation. Emissions from waste
plants will depend on the type of process, but include NO2, SO 2 and PM10, particulate matter and greenhouse gases (e.g. CO 2). Potential effects from emissions to air will be moderated by prevailing wind patterns, and the relative position of emitting plants with respect to sensitive ecological receptors. Unless properly controlled, emissions from waste management facilities could potentially make a significant contribution to acid or nutrient deposition. However, the likely
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significance of these effects on ecological receptors will be dependent on their relative distance from the biomass plant and their sensitivity to acid or nutrient deposition. Biomass wood fuels have higher moisture contents and lower nitrogen and sulphur contents than other traditional fossil fuels. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential effects of nitrogen and acid deposition from wood-fuelled generators on designated fen and bog sites. There is also potential for metals and other toxins to be emitted from biomass incinerators. Depending on the quantity and type of metal or toxin emitted these could potentially bioaccumulate in animal species (Fielder 1996), with a potential for reduced fitness in individuals. However, studies have shown that the effect of toxin release from incinerators is relatively minor compared to other sources (Enviros et al 2004). Potential effects on flora and fauna are likely to rapidly attenuate with distance from the proposed biomass facility. For terrestrial habitats, biomass air emissions have the potential to increase acidification of soils, enhance the mobilisation of toxic aluminium from soils to tree roots, increase sulphate and nitrate leaching from soils to surface waters and promote the loss of important buffering nutrients from soils (Lovett and Tear 2008). Throughout the design and permitting of the any biomass development, existing air quality standard would have to be adhered to, thereby minimising impact to habitats from fly ash and air borne toxins. However, incinerators appear to only provide a small proportion of the affective pollutants to the environment, and will not be significant at a strategic scale (Enviros et al 2004). Hydrology modifications: The biomass process requires water as a coolant for the energy production process. This can involve both water abstraction from and water discharge to streams or lakes. There are existing licensing procedures for water abstraction and discharge which exist to minimise impact to the habitats and species present in the watercourse in question. For a large plant, use of marine waters as a source of coolant may be considered, with consequent potential impacts on marine and littoral flora and fauna, and on the designation features of coastal protected sites. Discharged coolant water temperature may be an issue, however where this is an issue, site specific mitigation can be used to minimise impacts to the surrounding environment. For large biomass plants relatively warm water may be discharged into the marine environment and have the potential to alter both the aquatic and the benthic local flora and fauna. Warm outflows may increase local aquatic and benthic biodiversity, while leading to local extinctions of some taxa. Increased biomass production may result in increased feeding opportunities for sea birds. Accidental spillage: Accidental spillage of residual liquors from the slurry product could have adverse impacts on surrounding habitats and species of conservation concern. Invasive species: There is the potential that invasive plant species accidentally transported with biomass fuels could contaminate sensitive habitats within the surrounding area, resulting in significant adverse impacts on biodiversity. Products from technology: The use of compost or slurry produced by anaerobic digestion plants has the potential to have adverse impacts on habitats and mobile species as a result of changes to habitat substrate that may influence community composition and inter-specific species competition.
7.3.2 Potential Effects on Landscape and Visual Amenity
The potential for landscape effects from biomass developments are discussed below.
7.3.2.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Effects on landscape character/resource: There is potential that construction activities including earth movements, ground excavations, vegetation removal, transportation of materials to and from site, and the construction of a biomass plant could have temporary effects on landscape character and resource. The presence of site compounds, and
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construction equipment and plant may also have a temporary effect on landscape character. The overall significance of any effects on landscape character/resource depends on the overall sensitivity of the landscape area and its capacity to accommodate change induced by the development. Further detail on the potential effects on landscape character is presented under operation effects below. Effects on designations: The main designated areas in Northern Ireland include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). AONBs are areas designated to protect and enhance their distinctive landscapes and scenic beauty and to promote their enjoyment by the public 12 . There is potential that construction activities including ground excavations, vegetation removal, vehicle movements and construction of the biomass plant, and the presence of construction plant and temporary storage compounds and site offices could temporarily affect the quality and intrinsic value of these sites and reduce the enjoyment for the public. The overall significance of any potential effects on landscape designations depends on the a number of factors including duration of the construction period, scale of the development and the sensitivity of the surrounding landscape in terms of scenic quality and public access. Effects on visual amenity: Construction activities such as vegetation removal, excavation of foundations, transport or materials to and from site, construction of the biomass plant, and the presence of construction equipment, storage compounds and temporary site offices could all have temporary effects on visual amenity in an area. The significance of effects on visual amenity depend on the sensitive receptors affected (e.g. viewpoints/ views from residential properties and/or recreation facilities and tourist sites/attractions) and the extent to which development would change/intrude on an existing view 7.3.2.2 Operation Effects
Effects on landscape character/resource: Landscape effects arise from changes to the physical components of the landscape, its character and how this is experienced. Landscape character effects can also occur in neighbouring character areas. The extent to which onshore wind developments may affect landscape character is dependent on the capacity of the existing landscape to absorb or accommodate the proposed development. This will vary according to variations in the relative sensitivity and quality of different character areas and landscape components comprising the landscape area. With regard to biomass developments the key considerations in identifying potential effects on landscape character and resource include: The extent to which existing landscape components and features would be lost or modified by the proposals (such as lost areas of woodland or changes in landform structure); The existence of the proposed form of development within the landscape and its current role as a determinant of existing character; and The extent to which new or additional development of the type proposed (e.g. biomass plant) would alter the balance and hence the perception of the landscape character in the development area.
As well potentially changing the landscape character through the introduction of new structures/features or components which may or may not be in keeping with the existing character, potential effects on landscape character and resource can also be detrimental where development results in the removal of key features or characteristics such as established planting or buildings. The assessment of potential effects and landscape character therefore has to consider a wide range of changes, not simply just the presence of a biomass plant. Similarly some developments can have positive effects where proposals include the introduction of new planting or other features where none currently exist or result in the repair or replacements of poorly maintained landscape features. There is potential that biomass plants will have long term/permanent effects on landscape character. The significance of these potential effects depends on landscape sensitivity and the magnitude of the effect. Sensitivity refers to the sensitivity of the landscape character type and associated landscape components to accommodate the change induced by the proposed development (biomass plant). In Northern Ireland the Landscape Character Assessment 2000 identified 130 individual Landscape Character Areas (LCAs). Each of these LCAs have varying levels of sensitivity of
12 http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/protected_areas_home
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different types of development. Consequently most potential effects on landscape character would have to be determined at a project and site specific level. The magnitude of the development depends on a number of factors including scale, footprint, appearance, materials, chimney heights, configuration/layout of the development and overall design. With regard to biomass plants it will also be necessary to consider potential wider effects and landscape resulting from changes in existing agricultural land uses to the production of biomass crops. Effects on landscape designations: In total there are eight AONBs in Northern Ireland. These are discussed in more detail in Chapter 8 and Appendix D: Baseline Description. AONBs are designated to provide protection to distinctive landscapes and areas of scenic beauty. There is potential that biomass plants within AONBs could, depending upon the siting, scale and appearance of the development affect the quality and intrinsic value of the AONB and its overall character. Whilst there is a presumption against certain types of development within AONBs, depending on the location of the development in proximity to an AONB more detailed assessments may be required at a project and site specific level to determine the overall likely significance of any potential effects on landscape designations taking into account the sensitivity of the landscape within the AONB and the surrounding area.
Effects on visual amenity: Biomass plants could potentially effect visual amenity and affect areas of scenic beauty and intrude on views from significant viewpoints. Development can change people’s direct experience and perception of the landscape depending on the existing context, scale, form, colour and texture of the proposals, the nature of activity associated with the development and the distance and angle of view. However, for there to be a visual effect there is the need for a viewer, usually referred to as a receptor. Receptors can include residential properties, workplaces, recreational facilities, road users, pedestrians and other outdoor sites and viewpoints which would be likely to experience a change in existing view as a result of a development. As noted for onshore wind developments, the assessment of potential visual effects associated with biomass plants require a range of experiential and perceptual factors to be taken into account at the project level. These include: Backdrop: development(s) seen against a simple backdrop will generally appear more coherent than those viewed against a complex variety of backdrops. Scale: the scale of the receiving landscape affects its ability to accommodate particular development(s). In general, larger scale developments tend to be better accommodated in a large scale and relatively simple landscape; Focus: specific views often focus in a particular direction. The location of development(s) in relation to this focus can influence the visual effect, particularly as some development(s) can form strong new focal points within the landscape; Unity: the relationship of the individual components of a development to each other affects whether it reads as a cohesive development or appears fragmented. Other built elements, such as pylons or other industry can also detract from the unity of development(s) and add to a sense of visual confusion; and Setting: the combination of landform, foreground, background and features within a view, which provide the landscape setting, influences the nature of the effect of a development. Setting also relates to the complexity or simplicity of the landscape or view and the sense of remoteness or development, both of which provide visual context for development(s).
Visual effects result from the changes in the composition of available views, due to changes to the landscape and to the overall visual amenity. The degree to which receptors are affected by changes to available views depend on a number of factors, including: Receptor activities, such as relaxing at home, taking part in leisure, recreational and sporting activities, travelling or working; Whether receptors are likely to be stationary or moving and how long they will be exposed to the change at any one time; The importance of the location, as reflected by designations, inclusion in guidebooks or the facilities provided for visitors;
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Extent of the route or area over which the changes would be visible; Frequency – whether receptors will be exposed to the change daily, frequently, occasionally or rarely; and Orientation of receptors in relation to development(s), whether views are oblique or direct.
7.3.3 Potential Effects on Water
The following is a description of the potential effects that the construction operation and decommissioning of biomass schemes could have on the water environment.
7.3.3.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Release of sediment: Production of sedimentary material on site (for example during construction of the permanent hard standing) and the stripping of surface vegetation could potentially expose underlying soils and bedrock increasing the total surface run-off and the speed of overland flow which will increase the potential for erosion and transportation of sediment. Excavations on site may also require the removal of groundwater and direct rainfall; unless this process is correctly managed it may result in transportation of sediments into local watercourses. It is likely that there will be stockpiles of aggregate on site, which could potentially increase erosion and suspended solids in surface water run-off. It is likely to have mainly localised impacts which are short-term and temporary. Some of these effects may also occur if the areas of hard standing are removed during decommissioning. Disturbance of contaminated sediments: There is potential for adverse effects to occur where there is disturbance of historically contaminated sediments during construction and removal depend on the nature (e.g. domestic or industrial waste) of the potential contamination source and local receptors. However, whilst potential effects on water quality resulting from the disturbance of contaminants are most likely to be temporary, depending on the type and amount of materials released, there is potential for contaminants to be dispersed over a much wider area and to persist within the environment for a longer period of time. Accidental release of contaminants: There is a possibility that construction and decommissioning activities may lead to the accidental spillage or leakage of oils, lubricants or other chemicals which could potentially enter into nearby watercourses. Depending on the proximity of watercourses to the development site, the potential effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short term and temporary. However, as with contaminated sediments, depending on the type and amount of materials released these effects could be longer term with contaminants being dispersed over a wider area and persisting for a longer time within the environment. Creation of pollutant pathways: If piled foundations are used in the construction of the biomass plant there is a potential for pollutant pathways to be created which may adversely affect the groundwater quality. Increased surface water run-off: The construction of biomass plants will require the creation of hard standing and built structures. Relatively small changes to hard surfacing and surface gradients can cause flooding. The construction process may also involve the stripping of surface vegetation which may expose underlying soils and bedrock increasing the total surface run-off and the rate and speed of overland flow. This will increase the potential for soil erosion and transportation of sediment. The increase in impermeable areas and therefore surface run-off in a catchment has the potential to increase pluvial and surface water run-off flooding. Pollution of groundwater and surface water: Pollution can arise due to improper management of waste, sanitary plumbing and other liquid storage in the construction compound. Concrete is highly alkaline, i.e. has a high pH, and changes in the pH balance could impact on the chemical water quality and the species that depend upon the current baseline conditions. Leakages from the pouring of liquid concrete could result in the release of suspended solids into the on-site watercourses. De-watering (the removal or draining of groundwater or surface water) of foundations during construction may also cause adverse environmental effects on water resources by resulting in a lowering of the water table. This could potentially effect local vegetation and water levels in nearby surface water bodies and associated ecosystems due to reductions in water availability for certain species and possible concentration of suspended solids and other polluting compounds.
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7.3.3.2 Operation Effects
During operation the following effects could occur: Accidental release of contaminants: There is a possibility that routine maintenance operations may lead to release of contaminants to water. These could include fuel and lubricating oils, cleaning fluids, paints, specialised chemicals and litter. Depending on the proximity of watercourses effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short term and temporary. However, the implementation of pollution prevention practice will minimise these impacts.
Production of waste water: The final output of AD plants is waste water. The wastewater will typically have elevated levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) due to elevated nitrate and organic content. There is potential that discharges of wastewater into nearby watercourse could lead to deoxygenation of watercourse. However, for any operational biomass and AD plants any discharges to watercourse will require discharge consents and onsite treatment. There potential effects on surrounding watercourses are likely to be minimal. Increased surface water run-off: The construction of biomass plants requires the creation of hardstanding and built structures. Relatively small changes to hard surfacing and surface gradients can cause flooding. The increase in impermeable areas causes water to flow rapidly, increasing run off rates and therefore potentially increasing erosion of the soil. The increase in impermeable areas in a catchment also has the potential to increase pluvial and surface water run-off flooding. Reduced surface water quality: During fuel production for biomass from grown fuel there may be potential operational effects associated with the growth of fuels such as run-off from fertiliser applications and sediment from harvesting. The significance of these effects will depend on the type of crop, harvesting methods, location, surrounding land drainage patterns and proximity to surface water of the fuel crop. There is potential that for some biomass plants the fuel crops required to supply a commercial scale development will need to be imported. Consequently these effects may occur in locations other than Northern Ireland.
7.3.4 Potential Effects on Soils
Specific potential effects on the soil environment are described below.
7.3.4.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Erosion of exposed ground: The construction process may involve the removal of surface vegetation and/or topsoil which may expose underlying soils and bedrock. The construction of haul roads and cable trenches has the potential to alter natural drainage on a site by the development of preferential flow pathways; this may increase the speed of run-off with the potential for the erosion of exposed ground. Loss of agricultural land: The construction of biomass plants, may lead to the loss of productive agricultural land. This may also include the loss of areas for temporary uses during construction such as access tracks, storage compounds and site offices. The significance of these effects will depend on the quality of land to be lost. There is also the potential for a cumulative loss of productive land. Areas used for temporary compounds will have short-term temporary effects where as presence of the biomass plants, associated infrastructure and haul roads could lead to longer term permanent effects unless land is reinstated after decommissioning. Loss of geological/geomorphological features, including designated sites/features: The excavation of foundations for biomass plants and the construction of access roads/haul roads and supporting infrastructure could potentially result in the direct loss of, or damage /disturbance to geological/geomorphological features. These potential effects are likely to be permanent. The overall significance of these effects depends on the importance of the geological feature e.g. if a site is designated as an ASSI for its geological value.
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Disturbance of contaminated soils/ground: There is potential for construction activities such as ground disturbance, earth movements and excavations to disturb historically contaminated ground/soils. Where potentially contaminated ground is disturbed there is potential that contaminating substances leach into surrounding ground, or in some cases surrounding watercourses. Where potentially contaminated substances are exposed or leach into surrounding land, these can potentially affect a number of receptors including habitats, species and humans working on the site/living in the surrounding area. Where potentially contaminated ground is identified further investigations would be required to determine the nature of the contaminants, and identify whether these can be treated on site or would require removal and appropriate disposal through licensed landfills that handle hazardous or none hazardous wastes depending on the substances/materials present. Accidental release of contaminants: There is potential that construction and decommissioning activities may lead to the accidental spillage or leakage of oils, lubricants or other chemicals. This risk is greater near to excavations where higher permeability strata are exposed. Effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short – term and temporary. However, depending on the type and quantity of materials released there is potential that contaminants could be dispersed over a wider area and persist in the environment for a longer period of time.
7.3.4.2 Operation Effects
Loss of agricultural land : In addition to the loss of agricultural land due to the construction of the built structures of the biomass plants there is a potential for agricultural land to be used for the production of fuel crops. Land use conflicts may arise between agricultural food production and biomass fuel production. The significance of these effects and potential conflicts will depend on the nature and locations of the fuel crop. There is potential that for some biomass plants the fuel crops required to supply a commercial scale development will need to be imported. Consequently these effects may occur in locations other than Northern Ireland. Soil erosion due to topsoil removal: During fuel production for biomass from grown fuel there could potentially be effects on soil erosion during fuel harvesting. The significance of these effects will depend on the nature and locations of the fuel crop and the methods of harvesting used. There is potential that for some biomass plants the fuel crops required to supply a commercial scale development will need to be imported. Consequently these effects may occur in locations other than Northern Ireland. Accidental release of contaminants: There is potential that routine maintenance during the operation of the plant may lead to the release of contaminants to surrounding land. These contaminants could include fuel and lubricating oils, cleaning fluids, paints, specialised chemicals and litter. Effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short term and temporary. However, depending on the type and amount of substances released there is potential that some contaminants could disperse over a wider area or persist in the environment for a longer period of time. Waste recycling: The use of waste as a fuel in biomass plants has the potential of having beneficial effects on soils by diverting waste away from landfill. The by-products of biomass plants may also have beneficial effects on soils as they can be used as compost and/or fertiliser.
7.3.5 Potential Effects on Cultural Heritage including Archaeological and Architectural Heritage
The following is a description of the potential effects that the construction, operation and decommissioning of biomass schemes could have on archaeological sites.
7.3.5.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
During construction and decommissioning, archaeological sites in the vicinity could be affected in the following ways: Physical effects on designated, undesignated and unknown historic and archaeological resources: There is a potential for significant adverse effects resulting from the destruction or disturbance of sites and artefacts, both surface and buried, in the footprint of biomass plant. Effects may arise as a result of excavations of foundations, construction of
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buildings and fuel stores, substation and compound locations. The potential for damaging/disturbing an archaeological site will depend on the opportunity to avoid the resource. There is also potential for significant effects on previously unrecorded archaeological sites which may be discovered and potentially destroyed during construction, particularly where any construction activities are located in proximity to known sites/areas of archaeological interest/importance.
Visual effects on the setting of designated and undesignated historic sites and features: During construction or decommissioning there is potential for the physical presence of machinery and construction activities to visually intrude on the setting of important archaeological or historic sites. The significance of the potential effect will depend on the vicinity of the resource to the development, the feature of concern, the duration of the construction period and the degree of visual intrusion caused. 7.3.5.2 Operational Effects
During operation, archaeological sites in the vicinity could be affected in the following ways:
Visual effects on the setting of designated and undesignated historic sites and features: The physical presence of a biomass plant could potentially have a permanent, long-term effect on the setting of nearby archaeological sites and heritage assets. The significance of these effects depends on the level of visual intrusion on the setting of the archaeological or historic site/feature. This is influenced by the proximity of the development to the site/feature and the importance of the site or feature, the layout and scale of the development, its overall appearance and whether there are any opportunities for screening the development.
7.3.6 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Recreation and Tourism
7.3.6.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Potential effects on recreational sites and tourist attractions: There is potential for construction activities associated with the construction of biomass plants such as the presence of construction equipment and storage areas/compounds, excavations, earth moving and vegetation removal, transportation of materials to and from site, and noise and vibrations to effect the recreational and amenity value of an area. These activities may also affect the quality and value of key tourist attractions either directly or by affecting the setting of such sites/attractions. Most effects during construction would be short term and temporary. However, depending on the timing of construction activities and the importance of the area/tourist attraction these effects could be significant, in particular if construction activities result in restricted access to recreation sites and tourist attractions or affects the quality and general visitor experience of an area or attraction. This could result in a temporary displacement of visitors from a particular site/area or attraction. Diversion/redirection of recreational routes (footpaths, cycleways, bridleways): Like any development, if a biomass plant and its associated infrastructure was to be built adjacent to an existing public rights of way, coastal paths and national trails and other footpaths, cycleways and bridleways, temporary closures or diversions would be required. These closures/diversions would mainly be a standard construction health and safety measure. Depending on the location of the route in relation to the development site boundary (e.g. immediate adjacent to or within) there may be a requirement for the permanent diversion or closure of the route. However, in most cases, local recreational routes would be reopened following once construction of the biomass plant has been completed.
7.3.6.2 Operation Effects
Potential effects on recreational sites and tourist attractions: There is potential for the physical presence of a biomass plant to affect the intrinsic scenic, amenity and recreational value of key recreational areas and tourist attractions. These effects would either be direct as a result of a development being located within an area of importance for recreation or tourism or indirect as a result of the development affecting the setting of, or views from, important recreational areas and tourist attractions. These effects are likely to be long term for the duration of the operating period of the wind farm.
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Changes in the intrinsic quality and the amenity and scenic value of recreational areas and tourist attractions could lead to a longer term/permanent displacement of visitors from an area. The overall significance of potential effects of biomass developments on recreational sites/areas and tourist attractions depend on the importance of the area/site and attraction. There are a number of areas designated across Northern Ireland for their recreational value or are recognised as important tourist attractions. These include the eight main Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site (WHS). Further detail on the AONBs, Giant’s Causeway WHS and other tourist attractions is present in Chapter 8 and Appendix D: Baseline. Permanent diversion or closure of recreational routes (footpaths, cycleways and bridleways): There is potential that as part of the development there could be a requirement to close or permanently divert existing public rights of way, coastal paths and national trails and other footpaths, cycleways and bridleways. The significance of any potential closures or diversions would depend on the level of use on the route and the importance and recreational value of the route nationally, regionally and locally. There are a large number of footpaths, cycleways and bridleways distributed across Northern Ireland. Potential effects on specific routes would have to be examined on a project and site specific basis.
7.3.7 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Noise, Air Quality, Waste and Transportation
The following section provides a description of the potential effects of biomass developments on noise, air quality and waste. The effect of noise on biodiversity, flora and fauna is discussed in Section 7.3.1.
7.3.7.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Noise and vibration: During construction of biomass plants the main sources of noise and vibrations are likely to include ground excavations, earth movements, construction traffic including the transportation of materials to and from site, bored piling, concrete crushing, construction of the biomass plant, access/haul routes and associated infrastructure, and the operation of other construction equipment. The potential for adverse effects associated with noise and vibrations depends on the proximity of the development to sensitive receptors e.g. local residential properties, the duration of the construction period and working hours e.g. works limited to between 8am and 5pm or 24 hour operations. All potential effects during construction are likely to be short term and temporary in nature. Air quality effects: Nuisance and health effects due to dust emissions and vehicle and plant exhaust emissions: During construction and decommissioning of a biomass plant there is potential for adverse effects on local air quality due to dust, particulate and vehicle emissions generated by construction/decommissioning activities e.g. ground excavations and earth movements, vegetation removal, operation of construction equipment and transportation of materials to and from the site. The significance of any potential effects depends on the proximity of the development, associated infrastructure and access routes to sensitive receptors e.g. local residential properties. Most effects will be localised, temporary and short term in nature. Waste: Depending on the location of the development there may a requirement for materials to be removed from the site. Where appropriate all soil and aggregates should be recycled on site. However, where potentially contaminated materials are present these may need to be removed from the site to be treated and disposed of appropriately e.g. in suitable landfills. There may also be a requirement if there are invasive species on the site for these to also be removed for controlled disposal. The removal of waste from a site could generate noise and dust nuisance from the ground excavations, vegetation removal and vehicle movements. The significance of the effects associated with the removal of waste depends on the overall quantities of materials to be removed, the nature of the materials and the proximity of the development and associated access routes to sensitive receptors. Traffic and transport: There will be a requirement, as part of the construction of a biomass plant, for the transportation of various materials and plant components to the site. This will include the movement of components from the point of production to the development site. It is likely that, for some parts of the biomass plant this will involve the movement of a number of large abnormal loads which could lead to congestion on local roads caused by large, slow moving vehicles.
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This could also lead to increased noise levels and vibrations, reduced air quality from vehicle emissions and general environmental and public disturbance along the main access routes. In most cases, access routes to development sites will be assessed to ensure that the movement of large vehicles can be accommodated and suitable routes to the sites avoiding local communities and utilising large, well maintained roads should be used as much as practically possible.
7.3.7.2 Operation Effects
Noise: The main potential sources of noise from operational biomass plants include log chipping, handling and drying, combustion system, heat rejection plant, flues, turbines and electrical transformers, and ash retrieval systems. Most of these activities will be housed within the building structures and thereby providing the potential for appropriate acoustic treatment to be incorporated into the building façade design. In addition to plant noise there is also potential for noise and vibrations to be generated from import of fuel sources (biomass crops/waste etc) and export of ash, the unloading of fuel vehicles and the movement of fuel sources within the site and staff movements. The likely significance of these effects on local noise levels will depend on a number of factors including the proximity of the development site and the main access routes to sensitive receptors e.g. local residential properties, the quantities of fuel to be imported on a daily basis and ash to be removed from the site, number of workers to be employed at the site and shift patterns. Air quality - adverse localised and regional effects on air quality from biomass combustion: Burning biomass could potentially have effects on local and regional air quality resulting from emissions of NOX, SOX, particulate matter and other pollutants depending on the type of fuel used. Environmental Protection UK state that, ‘As a general rule of thumb biomass boilers fuelled by clean, new wood have lower emissions than coal, roughly equivalent emissions to oil, but higher emissions than equivalent gas fired boilers’ (EPUK, 2009). The location of emission sources will determine the likelihood of significant effects on local air quality. For example, the effects on air quality from biomass plants in densely populated areas are likely to be greater than for biomass plants located in sparsely populated rural areas due to increased public exposure in more densely populated areas (EPUK, 2009). Where a strategy uses dispersed local generation schemes, instead of a centralised infrastructure, both direct emissions and supply-chain emissions (fuel delivery and storage) need to be considered. The emission of pollutants can also cause acid and nitrogen deposition on surrounding land which may affect biodiversity depending on the susceptibility on the site see Section 7.3.1. Process abatement may also be used to minimise stack emissions. Air quality - beneficial localised and regional impacts due to the decommissioning of traditional fossil fuel plant (Environmental and health impacts due primarily to reduced emissions of NOX and PM10): The replacement of fossil fuel burning plant with biomass plant has the potential for an overall improvement in local and regional air quality. However, burning biomass will still result in emissions to air, which could potentially have adverse effects on local and regional air quality. There could also be associated indirect emissions to air, associated with other factors such as transport of fuel and crop growth. Odour: The use of waste streams to fuel biomass plants has the potential to generate odours during combustion. These could have potential adverse effects on the surrounding environment and sensitive receptors e.g. local residents. The significance of any effects depends on the type of raw material used as a fuel the preparation process and the proximity to surrounding receptors. Waste recycling: The use of waste and/or sewage to generate electricity in AD technologies could have potential positive effects in terms of waste recycling. The by-product of AD processes (digestate) can also be used as a fertiliser, further promoting opportunities for recycling. The by-product of biomass is ash, which depending on fuel source, can be used in cement and aggregate or as compost. However, ash produced by biomass with contaminated fuel could potentially have adverse effects in terms of waste disposal and reuse as it would be necessary for the contaminated ash produced from the biomass process to be disposed of in appropriate licensed landfills/disposal facilities. Traffic and transport: There are scalar issues associated with the operation of biomass plants and traffic and transport impacts. Small biomass plants in relative proximity to their fuel source would potentially require daily imports of daily imports of biomass fuels and removal of by-produced (ash). Depending on the scale of the development and the amount of fuel required the operation of the biomass plant may involve a number of HGV movements per day.
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Depending on the size of the loads being transported this could potentially lead to localised congestion on local roads at certain times of the day. There are also requirements for worker movements to and from the site. As the size of the biomass plant increases, the requirements for fuel would also increase resulting in potentially international imports of fuel. The international requirement would limit the location of biomass plants to locations which have direct access to major shipping routes (ports and docks) while retaining the traffic and transport issues associated with small scale biomass plants. The overall significance of any potential effects of biomass developments on traffic and transport depends on the number of vehicle movements per day, frequency of movements, characteristic of the local road network e.g. if the site is accessed via main roads (motorways or A-roads) or if the development is accessed via small local roads, the distance that the fuel sources are transported, number of workers employed at the site, shift patterns/travel to work times and the proximity of the development and main access roads to sensitive receptors.
7.3.8 Potential Effects on Material Assets
7.3.8.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Land use: Depending on the former use of a site, the installation of a biomass plant is likely to constitute a change in land use. Within the site boundary this change in land use will be permanent. However, during construction there is potential that certain activities could lead to temporary disruptions in access to surrounding land uses e.g. agricultural land, forestry, business/industrial premises and residential properties. These disruptions to access are likely to occur either as a result of closure or diversion of existing access routes/points or due to congestion caused by the transportation of materials and parts required for the construction of the biomass plant. Construction activities may also affect access to or use of recreational facilities/areas (including footpaths, cycleways and bridleways) and tourist attractions as discussed in Section 7.3.6). The significance of potential effects on land use depends on the duration of the construction period and the number of properties/types of land uses affected. Most effects will be temporary and short term in nature. Commercial and residential property: In addition to restricted access there is potential for construction activities to have effects on commercial and residential properties in terms of affecting views from properties and the overall setting and aesthetic value of a property. Further details on potential effects of biomass plants on landscape character and visual amenity is provided in Section 7.3.2. The main sources of potential effects on properties include the physical presence of construction equipment and the appearance of a construction site and construction activities and general disturbance and nuisance (noise and dust) from construction activities such as earth movements, ground excavations, and construction activities. Properties located along main transport routes may also be affected during construction. The significance of the effects will depend on the duration of the construction period, working hours, the proximity of the biomass plant to surrounding development and the type of property affected e.g. residential, community facilities e.g. schools and commercial, business or industrial units. It is likely that most effects would be temporary and short-term.
7.3.8.2 Operation Effects
Land use: As noted above, depending on the existing land uses in an area, the development of a biomass plant is likely to constitute a long term/permanent change of land use. The potential significance of any effects on land use will depend in the compatibility of the new land use with surrounding land uses. For example, a proposed development in an area that comprises heavy industrial uses is likely to be more compatible with surrounding land uses than proposing to develop a biomass plant in the centre of a residential area. As part of any proposal for development of a biomass plant it would also be necessary to identify likely future land uses in the immediate vicinity of the site and surrounding area to ensure that other possible future land uses aren’t restricted or resources sterilised e.g. aggregate or mineral extraction. Agriculture: Depending on the biomass technology, there may be a requirement for fuel sources to be produced locally as crops e.g. silage. Depending on the quantities of fuel crops required, this could lead to local land use conflicts may arise between agricultural food production and biomass fuel production. The significance of these effects and potential
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conflicts will depend on the nature and locations of the fuel crop. There is potential that for some biomass plants the fuel crops required to supply a commercial scale development will need to be imported. Consequently these effects may occur in locations other than Northern Ireland.
7.3.9 Potential Effects on Climatic Factors:
The following is a description of the potential effects that the construction, operation and decommissioning of biomass plants on climatic factors.
7.3.9.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Vehicle and plant exhaust emissions : During construction and decommissioning there could potentially be adverse
effects on climate due to the generation of CO 2 emissions from vehicles used during construction/decommissioning. These potential effects are likely to be temporary and short term. The overall significance of these potential effects will be dependent on the amount and types of vehicle movements generated during the construction period, the duration of the construction period and the distances over which materials are transported. Carbon footprint of construction activities: Any generating plant (including renewable energy developments) holds
embodied CO 2 – that is, CO 2 emissions associated with the manufacture of the plant, including raw material extraction and transport. However, the overall effects of the development on climate in terms of carbon emissions (positive and adverse) are considered to be low compared to the emissions relating to the overall operation of a plant.
7.3.9.2 Operational Effects
Energy use and emissions due to the whole life-cycle of the fuel stream: Impacts due to the energy use and emissions of the whole life cycle will include transportation, storage and processing. The emissions will contribute to the total impacts of a proposed biomass scheme, especially since the relatively lower energy density of many biomass feedstocks may increase transportation and storage costs. The distance travelled and the type of transport (such as rail or ship) used will contribute to the total impacts, and where fuel is transported over greater distances the regional or national impacts. The relative operating efficiency of generation will affect the potential impacts. As mentioned above, biomass feedstock may have lower energy density than processed fuel or fossil fuel and may therefore result in greater emissions per MW. The efficiency of the process is also related to the capacity of individual systems, whereby smaller biomass boilers tend to have lower combustion efficiency than larger systems, subject to the fuel type and feed mechanism (EMEP/Corinair, 2006). Further indirect impacts due to the life-cycle of bio-fuel crop growth will include fertiliser production and spreading, and direct emissions through energy/fuel uses during maintenance, harvesting and processing of the crops. In particular, these processes are likely to use non-sustainable fuels (such as fossil fuel-oil), which will negatively impact the carbon balance of the scheme (Scottish Government, 2006). Indirect effects due to changes in land use: The growing of fuel crops may cause changes in land use and the displacement of food crops, which may affect food production, biodiversity and long-term carbon sequestration. Beneficial climate effects due to the decommissioning of traditional fossil fuel plant: AD plants can lead to significant reductions in methane emissions from manures and slurries. AD technologies offer the opportunity to capture methane from manures and slurries and so can lead to reductions in the global warming potential of agriculture, whilst generating energy (Defra, 2007). The use of AD processes is considered to be potentially the most beneficial biomass option, as it will divert an existing waste stream to an alternative use. The process will scrub some of the harmful local pollutants, such as sulphur, from the exhaust stream. The significance of potential beneficial effects depends on the size, type and location of traditional generation plant being decommissioned, and the proportion of each renewable technology used; for instance a greater proportion of AD biomass compared with wood biomass would also be preferable in terms of greenhouse gas emissions; the dates by which the existing plant are replaced; earlier phasing out of fossil fuels would result in comparatively greater benefits for
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greenhouse gas emissions; the energy use and emissions associated with the transport and storage of fossil fuels, compared with biomass; the operating efficiency of biomass plant compared with fossil fuel plant; and the impacts that land use change (to allow for bio-fuel crops) may have, particularly in terms of carbon emissions.
The replacement of fossil fuel burning plant with biomass plant should result in an overall reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions. Whilst burning biomass results in the release of CO 2, it is balanced by CO 2 absorption during biomass feedstock growth. It is important therefore that beneficial impacts are maximised by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transport (distance and mode) of the fuel and crop growth.
7.4 Generic Effects: Other Renewable Energy Developments
The following provides a description of the potential effects associated with other renewable energy technologies during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases. Construction and decommissioning effects are likely to be similar therefore they have been considered together in the assessment. The technologies considered include: Small scale wind (e.g. individual turbines) Hydro Electric Power (large and small scale including impoundment, run of river or pumped storage). Geothermal Power Photovoltaics
7.4.1 Potential Effects on Biodiversity Flora and Fauna
The following is a description of the potential effects that the construction, operation and decommissioning of “other” onshore renewable electricity generation developments could have on biodiversity.
7.4.1.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Habitat loss, damage and modification: Small scale wind: There are unlikely to be significant effects associated with habitat loss or disturbance from small scale wind farm developments as the footprints tend to be very small and developments are located in more urban or developed areas. However, it should be noted that there could be the requirement for the removal of trees or other vegetation which may provide important habitat for a number of protected and BAP species e.g. bats or could be habitat for nesting birds. Hydro: Hydro schemes including impoundment and run of river schemes and pumped storage schemes, can, depending on their location potentially have significant effects in terms of habitat loss or damage, especially where rivers are dammed to create reservoirs or water flows rates and levels are modified affecting habitats and species downstream. The physical construction of structures within a watercourse is also likely to result in habitat loss and damage, especially for schemes where dam structures are required. There is also likely to be habitat loss and disturbance associated with the construction of access roads. Geothermal: The construction of a geothermal power plant is likely to have similar effects in terms of habitat loss and disturbance as those associated with the construction of a biomass plant. In general habitat loss and damage is likely to be contained within the main footprint of the power station and possible associated infrastructure and facilities such as storage lagoons for geothermal fluids. There may also be habitat loss or damage associated with the construction of access routes. Photovoltaics: The potential for habitat loss and damage during construction varies significantly depending on the scale of a photovoltaic development. The effects associated with the mounting of solar panels on the roofs of buildings are likely to negligible, whereas the installation of large scale solar farms where large numbers of panels are mounted on
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the ground could lead to significant levels of habitat loss and damage across the footprint of the development and during the construction of access roads and other supporting infrastructure. Due to the large amount of land take associated with solar farms the habitat loss associated with such extensive land take may be significant, short term and long term.
Species disturbance: Small scale wind: The construction of small scale wind farm developments is likely to have limited effects in terms of species disturbance due to the general scale and location of these developments, although site specific studies may still be required to evaluate the potential for sensitive habitats and species to be present in the area potentially affected by the development. There could potentially be effects on bats or nesting birds where the installation of the turbines requires the removal of trees and vegetation that is used for nesting, roosting or foraging. Depending on the location of the development there could be effects on other species such as badgers or smooth newts if developments affect field ponds and surrounding habitats. There is also potential for bats and nesting birds to be disturbed by human activity and noise generated during turbine installation. Hydroelectric: There is potential that hydro schemes involving the construction of structures within watercourse and the installation of electrical generating equipment e.g. turbines could have significant effects in terms of species disturbance, mainly from changing water flow regimes (e.g. dewatering or diverting river flows during construction) and river bed morphology and from a range of construction activities such as excavations, structure construction etc. These effects are likely to be most significant for species such as fish, in particularly migratory fish, and other species that are sensitive to changes in water quality and flows such as fresh water pearl mussels and white-clawed crayfish. Otters and other riparian species may also be adversely affected. Noise and vibration from excavations, and increased human presence/activity may also affect other species such as birds, bats and other sensitive species of conservation concern in surrounding areas.
Geothermal: Disturbance comprises many components including the physical presence of construction equipment and construction activities, noise and vibration. There is potential that construction activities such as the excavation of foundations, earth movements, vegetation removal, transportation of materials to and from the site, and the presence of construction equipment, storage compounds and temporary offices could lead to the disturbance of a range of species of conservation concern including badgers, birds, bats, smooth newts, otters etc. Noise and vibrations from the drilling of boreholes and wells, and other construction activities could potentially have significant effects on breeding, foraging and roosting behaviour of various bird species and other species such as bats. Extensive disturbance could result in species displacement. Photovoltaics: Potential disturbance from the installation of roof mounted solar panels is likely to be minimal. However, construction activities associated with the installation of large scale solar farms, such as earth movements, vegetation removal, installation of access tracks and routes, transportation of solar panels and supporting equipment/infrastructure and increased levels of human activity could have adverse effects on a range of species of conservation concern such as badgers, birds, bats, smooth newts otters etc. The significance of these effects will depend on a number of factors such as site location, time of year (e.g. if construction coincides with breeding seasons) and duration of the construction period.
Changes to hydrology/water resource: Small scale wind: The potential effects of small scale wind projects on water resources are likely to be limited due to the small scale of these developments and location (e.g. in urban or developed locations). Any potential effects on water resources and indirect effects on biodiversity would be managed at the project level through the implementation of appropriate site management and construction practices. Hydroelectric: There is potential that vegetation removal and sediment removal and excavations associated with the construction of dam structures and channels for run of river schemes could lead to increased levels of sediment and other materials entering the watercourse. This increased loading of sediment could have significant effects on aquatic ecology. Increased sediment loads and water turbidity can affect aquatic vegetation by reducing the levels of light that are able to penetrate the water body. Increased levels of sediment and associated turbidity can also affect individual
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species biologically due to deterioration in water quality and by changing species behaviour due to reduced visibility affecting foraging patterns and possible migration movements. Geothermal: The excavations of geothermal power plant foundations, earth movements and vegetation removal could potentially alter the hydrology of sensitive habitats by altering drainage patterns (increasing or decreasing flows, distribution of flows). This could have an effect on associated plant species and communities by either increasing or decreasing runoff or altering spatial and temporal distribution of surface water and groundwater. The drilling of wells and boreholes could also have an adverse effect on surface and ground water systems and drainage patterns . Photovoltaics: There is potential that earth movements and vegetation removal associated with the installation of the solar panels for solar farms and construction of access roads and supporting infrastructure including electric cables, could alter the hydrology of sensitive habitats by altering drainage patterns in the immediate and surrounding area. This could have an effect on associated plant species by either increasing or decreasing runoff or altering spatial and temporal distribution of surface water and groundwater.
Release of pollutants All technologies : There is potential for the release of pollutants as a result of construction activities associated with all technologies. These potential effects are likely to be most significant during the construction of hydroelectric schemes, and geothermal plants (from the drilling of geothermal wells and boreholes), where the release of pollutants could have significant direct effects on water courses and groundwater and associated aquatic habitats and species. Whilst most contaminants can be contained at source, depending on the substances released and the mechanism of release, some substances could be dispersed over a large area and may persist in the environment for a long time. This would be of particular importance with regard to the construction of hydroelectric schemes where, depending on the levels of flow downstream from the development, there is a likelihood that contaminants/pollutants could be dispersed over a large area, reaching loughs or coastal areas. There could also be adverse effects on habitats and species from the release of airborne pollutants from the drilling of boreholes and wells for geothermal plants. Exploration drilling for geothermal infrastructure has the potential to draw fluid from underground (possibly from depths of 4000m) carrying dissolved gases, mainly carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, and small amounts of volatile substances such as mercury, arsenic, boron and antimony, and also salt. There is a risk that as the geothermal fluids cool, the gases they contain could be released into the atmosphere. Depending on the levels and types of gases released, and other factors such as prevailing wind conditions and proximity to sensitive habitats this could potentially have a significant effect on a range of sensitive habitats such as bogs, peatland, lagoons etc. Accidental spillage All technologies : As with the release of pollutants, the accidental release or leakage of contaminants such as oils, lubricants and other chemicals from construction equipment and the transportation of construction materials could have significant effects on watercourses and associated aquatic habitats and species. These effects are likely to be most significant during the construction of hydroelectric schemes where contaminants entering the watercourse can be rapidly dispersed over a large area, potentially having wider scale effects depending on the substance and its persistence. There is also a risk that concrete used in the construction of structures in watercourse or new channels (for run of river schemes) is accidentally released into the watercourse/river. Concrete is highly alkaline and changes in the pH balance could have significant effects on the chemical water quality of the river and the species that depend upon the current baseline chemical composition.
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7.4.1.2 Operational Effects
Habitat loss, damage and modification Small scale wind, geothermal and photovoltaics: Most effects associated with habitat loss, damage and modification are likely to occur during the installation of wind turbines, solar panels and farms or the construction of a geothermal power plant, associated infrastructure and access roads. Hydroelectric: Long term habitat modification is one of the main potential significant effects associated with the operation of hydroelectric schemes. This is mainly associated with changes in river flows and water levels and the effects of this on habitat and species diversity, distribution and abundance downstream of a scheme. The other main potential effect in terms of habitat modification is the potential for dams/structures in a river to create barriers to the movement of fish up and downstream from the point of at which the scheme is located. This is of particular concern for migratory salmon and other migratory species where migration upstream is an essential part of the life cycle of these species. Although fish passes can be integrated into the design of a dam to facilitate the movement of fish past the dam structure, other hydrological changes induced by the presence of a dam e.g. changes in water flow and water levels downstream can also affect the overall condition and quality of the river habitat for these fish species. The combination of changes in flow and the physical presence of the dam and the creation of areas of standing water (reservoirs) could lead to the long term displacement of key migratory species from these rivers.
Species disturbance and displacement Small scale wind: There is potential that small scale wind turbines could present a collision risk to bird and bat species from rotating blades. In general small scale wind developments tend to be used to generate electricity for residential properties and other buildings e.g. school and hospitals, and therefore are usually attached to or located in very close proximity to these buildings. Taking this into account, it is likely that the bird species most at risk from potential collision are mainly the passerine species that may be associated with built habitats and their adjacent much altered open habitats. However, any potential effects on birds are likely to be intermittent, localised and small-scale. Small wind turbines that are close to buildings may also present a risk to bats that use the buildings as roost sites or are adjacent to foraging habitats. The siting and layout of turbines could potentially have significant effects on the foraging and commuting behaviour of bats. Changes in flight line routes have the potential to result in an increase in collision rates by bats. Potential mortality from barotrauma will depend on whether critical pressure differentials are produced by small wind turbines, for which no known research has yet been carried out. Hydroelectric: As noted above with regard to habitat modification there is potential that the damming of a river or the introduction of controls on water flow and water level could, depending on the scale of the development, have potential effects on the abundance and distribution of species and habitat located further downstream. There is also potential that the physical presence of structures, combined with reductions in riverine habitat quality downstream could influence the movement and possible migration of certain fish species such as salmon. Although fish passes may be included in the design of a dam there is still potential for long term displacement of these fish species from these rivers. Geothermal and photovoltaics: Most potential effects associated with species disturbance are likely to occur during the construction of a geothermal power station or solar farm. Where there has been permanent habitat loss, it is likely that this will lead to the long term displacement of species associated with the lost or damaged habitat. Schemes may include compensatory measures to reduce overall effects on biodiversity. These may include habitat creation either within the grounds of the power plant (outside the main operational areas) or in adjacent areas surrounding the power plant or solar farm. This would potentially have a positive effect in terms of reducing potential species displacement and creating more biologically diverse habitats.
Release of pollutants: Small scale wind, hydroelectric and photovoltaics : There are unlikely to be any significant emissions to air, water or land, or sources of pollution associated with small scale wind turbines, solar farms and hydroelectric schemes once these developments are operational. Most potential sources of pollution will occur during construction.
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Geothermal: Waste extracted for geothermal power generation may contain a variety of substances that are harmful to plants and animal species. Entrained pollutants are highly site-specific, reflecting the makeup of the strata contributing liquids and solids to the extracted waters. Geothermal plants elsewhere are known to produce quantities of hydrogen sulphide, mercury and vanadium, but the potential impact of pollutants depends on technologies used at the extraction plant. Re-injection of fluids and contained pollutants can obviate problems associated with disposal, and scrubbers can remove high percentages of some pollutants prior to discharge of vapours to the atmosphere. Some potential pollutants are directly toxic to plants and animal species, while others may bio-accumulate and have indirect or chronic effects on affected species.
Accidental spillage: Small scale wind and photovoltaics: There are unlikely to be any significant effects associated with accidental spillage from either small scale wind or small and large scale photovoltaic developments. Hydroelectric: Although potential effects associated with accidental spillages from hydroelectric schemes are unlikely there is a risk that there could be some accidental spillage or leakage of fuels, lubricating oils, cleaning fluids and other chemicals used during the operation and maintenance of turbines and other equipment. Although specific measures to prevent the accidental release of contaminants, or protect against any contaminants being released into the environment, would be incorporated into the design of the scheme, should these systems fail, there could potentially be adverse effects on the environment. The significance of these effects would depend on the type of substance released, the amount, it’s potential to persist in the environment and methods and extent of dispersal. Geothermal: Some geothermal plants produce solid wastes that require disposal to licensed sites. There is potential for accidental release of these waste products during collection and disposal to have adverse effects on the environment. There is also a potential risk of leakage from storage lagoons, boreholes and wells and associated structures containing geothermal fluids. Any leaks or breaches of these structures could lead to the release of various substances into the surrounding environment. Although measures to prevent these incidents would be integrated into the overall design of the scheme, should these accidental spillages/leakages occur they could potentially have adverse effects on the environment. The significance of these effects would depend on the type and quantities of materials released, the method of dispersal, extent of the area affected and the persistence of the substance in the environment. As with hydroelectric schemes there is also potential for accidental spillage or leakage of fuels, lubricating oils and cleaning fluids used during the operation and maintenance of the power plant.
7.4.2 Potential Effects on Landscape and Visual Amenity
The following describes the potential effects associated with the different technologies (small scale wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and photovoltaics) on landscape character and resource and visual amenity.
7.4.2.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Effects on landscape character/resource: All technologies: There is potential that construction activities associated with all technologies including earth movements, ground excavations, vegetation removal, transportation of materials and equipment to and from site, and the construction of structures and the installation of solar panel could have temporary effects on landscape character and resource. The presence of site compounds, and construction equipment and plant may also have a temporary effect on landscape character. It is likely that these effects would be more significant for larger developments such as geothermal plants. The overall significance of any effects on landscape character/resource depends on the duration of the construction activities, the scale of the development and the overall sensitivity of the landscape area and its capacity to accommodate change induced by the development.
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It is likely that potential effects associated with construction small scale wind developments will be localised and are unlikely to be of major significance on the basis that the turbines are likely to be attached to or located in very close proximity to existing areas of development. However, there is potential for cumulative effects where there are a large number of small scale schemes either distributed over a large area or clustered in a certain location. The effects associated with the construction of a hydroelectric scheme may be more significant on depending on the location of the development. Where hydroelectric schemes are located in areas where there is little to no existing development the potential effects of construction activities on the surrounding landscape resource are likely to be more apparent. Other localised effects such as the construction of temporary access roads also need to be taken into account at project level.
Effects on landscape designations: All Technologies : The main designated landscape areas in Northern Ireland include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). AONBs are areas designated to protect and enhance their distinctive landscapes and scenic beauty and to promote their enjoyment by the public 13 . There is potential that construction activities associated with the construction of small hydro schemes, geothermal plants and solar farms including soil removal, ground excavations; vegetation removal; vehicle movements;, transportation of materials and equipment to and from sites; construction of large structures (dams/geothermal plants); and the presence of construction plant and temporary storage compounds and site offices could temporarily affect the quality and intrinsic value of these sites and reduce the enjoyment of the area for the public. The overall significance of any potential effects on landscape designations depends on the a number of factors including duration of the construction period, scale of the development and the sensitivity of the surrounding landscape in terms of scenic quality and public access. The effects associated with the construction of small scale wind developments are likely to be localised and small scale. Geothermal plants are also likely to be site specific and localised effects.
Effects on visual amenity: All Technologies : Construction activities such as vegetation removal, excavation of foundations, transport or materials to and from site, construction of hydro schemes, geothermal plants, and the installation of solar panels, drilling of wells and boreholes and the presence of construction equipment, storage compounds and temporary site offices could all have temporary effects on visual amenity in an area. The significance of effects on visual amenity depend on the sensitive receptors affected (e.g. viewpoints/ views from residential properties and/or recreation facilities and tourist sites/attractions) and the extent to which development would change/intrude on an existing view. Further detail on visual effects is discussed below with respect to operation effects.
7.4.2.2 Operational Effects
Effects on landscape character/resource: Small scale wind and geothermal : As discussed previously with regard to onshore wind and biomass developments, effects on landscape character/resource arise from changes to the physical components of the landscape, its character and how this is experienced. It is likely that small scale wind and geothermal developments will be site specific and will be determined at a project level depending on the location of the development, its scale, footprint, appearance, layout, height, materials used and overall design and the sensitivity of the surrounding landscape to the proposed development. Hydroelectric: Some hydroelectric schemes may be located in areas where there is sufficient water flow and a suitable head of water. These may include upland areas or areas where there are suitable variations in gradient. These areas may be of high sensitivity to change depending on the character and condition of the area. The changes induced by a hydroelectric scheme in the long term may constitute a significant change depending on the scale of a scheme. However, it has been identified that there is limited resource in Northern Ireland; therefore most schemes are likely to be small scale. In some locations, hydro schemes could be positive where new landscape features such small reservoirs
13 http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/protected_areas_home
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are created. The effect of hydroelectric schemes on landscape character would have to be assessed at a project and site specific level and are likely to be dependent on the location of a scheme, type and scale of the scheme. Photovoltaics: Small scale, roof mounted, photovoltaic developments are unlikely to have significant adverse effects on landscape character. However, large scale solar farms can require large areas of land. On the basis that there is a limited solar resource in Northern Ireland it is anticipated that solar farms are not likely to be developed on a large scale. However, there is still potential for the development of solar farms in Northern Ireland. Where these occur they are likely to involve a large area of land take, and although the developments are low lying (solar panels mounted close to the ground), the nature of the development and lack of screening (as blocks sunlight) can create a blanket effect of very similar coloured and shaped structures. Further assessment would be required at a project level to determine the likely sensitivity of different landscape character types to this form of development. Effects on landscape designations: All technologies: In total there are eight AONB’s in Northern Ireland. These are discussed in more detail in Chapter 8 and Appendix D: Baseline Description. AONBs are designated to provide protection to distinctive landscapes and areas of scenic beauty. There is potential that all proposed developments (small scale wind, photovoltaics, geothermal and hydroelectric) within AONBs could, depending upon the siting, scale and appearance of the development affect the quality and intrinsic value of the AONB and its overall character. Whilst there is a presumption against certain types of development within AONBs, depending on the location of the development in proximity to an AONB more detailed assessments may be required at a project and site specific level to determine the overall likely significance of any potential effects on landscape designations taking into account the sensitivity of the landscape within the AONB and the surrounding area. This will be particularly relevant to hydroelectric schemes where there is likelihood that depending on the scale of the proposed development, these could be sited on watercourses in rural upland areas. A large proportion of Northern Ireland’s upland and undulating landscape areas are already designated as AONBs.
Effects on visual amenity: All technologies: All forms of ‘other’ renewable energy developments could potentially effect visual amenity and affect areas of scenic beauty and intrude on views from significant viewpoints. As discussed previously, all development can change people’s direct experience and perception of the landscape depending on the existing context, scale, form, colour and texture of the proposals, the nature of activity associated with the development and the distance and angle of view. However, for there to be a visual effect there is the need for a viewer, usually referred to as a receptor. Receptors can include residential properties, workplaces, recreational facilities, road users, pedestrians and other outdoor sites and viewpoints which would be likely to experience a change in existing view as a result of a development. It is likely that visual effects of small scale wind developments and geothermal plants will be relatively localised with the extent of the visual envelop (extent to which the development can be seen from all known viewpoints) determined by factors such as the scale of the development, its position in the landscape, surrounding topography, building heights and form, appearance, materials used and overall design of the scheme. On the basis that solar farms are fairly low lying, it is likely that, depending on the location of the development, long distance views of these schemes could be minimised by surrounding vegetation and topography, although shorter distance views may be harder to screen as this could affect the ability of the development to maximise exposure to direct sunlight. As with onshore wind farm developments, the evaluation of potential positive or negative visual effects associated with hydroelectric schemes is likely to be subjective and influenced by individual receptors preferences for the modification of watercourse and possible creation of new waterbodies. The overall effects of a hydroelectric scheme would depend on the scale of the schemes and its influence on existing views and the number and type of receptors affected.
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7.4.3 Potential Effects on Archaeology and Historic Built Environment
The following is a description of the potential effects that the construction, operation and decommissioning of ‘other’ onshore renewable electricity generation developments could have on archaeological sites and the historic built environment.
7.4.3.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Loss, damage or disturbance to designated, undesignated and unknown archaeological and historic resources: All technologies: There is a potential for construction activities associated with all ‘other’ onshore renewable energy developments to have direct effects on designated, undesignated and unknown archaeological and historic resources. These include direct loss, damage or disturbance to sites during earth movements, ground disturbance and excavations of foundations, vegetation removal, vibrations from HGV movements (movement of materials to and from site), general construction of structures and the drilling of wells and boreholes (geothermal plants). In terms of hydroelectric schemes there could also be loss of, or damage to sites and features associated with the construction of diversion channels, changes in water levels in surrounding areas including the localised flooding of areas where archaeological sites and features are present. The abstraction of water from the ground during the installation of structures in watercourse, channel modification and the construction of foundations for geothermal plants may also have adverse effects on buried remains/sites.
Effects on the setting of archaeological sites and features: All technologies: There is potential that construction activities, such as ground disturbance, excavations of foundations, vegetation removal, HGV movements and the presence of construction equipment and storage compounds could have adverse effects on the setting of archaeological and historic sites and features including scheduled monuments, listed buildings, historic parks and gardens, Conservation Areas and other features of archaeological and historic value. The significance of the effect would depend on the extent to which a development intrudes on the setting of, or views into and out of, an important site.
7.4.3.2 Operational Effects
Effects on the setting of archaeological sites and features: All technologies: Most direct effects on archaeological sites and features will occur during the construction phases of a development. However, once a development is operational there is still potential for the development to have long term effects on the overall setting of an important archaeological or historical site or feature. These potential effects will depend on the extent to which a development (e.g. small scale wind development, geothermal plant, hydroelectric scheme or solar farm) would intrude on the existing setting (character) of a site/feature and on views associated with that site or feature. The significance of these effects would depend on the overall scale of the development, its location and proximity to key archaeological sites, its appearance and form. Again most developments would have to be assessed at more detail at a project level.
7.4.4 Potential Effects on Water Resources
The following is a description of the potential effects that the construction, operation and decommissioning of ‘other’ onshore renewable electricity generation developments could have on water and groundwater resources, water quality and flood risk.
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7.4.4.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Release of sediment: Small scale wind, photovoltaics and geothermal: There is potential that ground disturbance, ground excavations, earth movements and vegetation removal during construction could potentially expose underlying soils and bedrock and lead to the production of sedimentary material on site. Combined with increased levels of surface water run-off (due exposed surfaces and vegetation removal), this could increase the potential for further erosion and transportation of sediment into local watercourses. It is likely that with these technologies most effects would be very site specific, localised and short term. With the small scale wind developments, these could potentially be installed in existing areas of development e.g. in car parks, where requirements for earth movements/vegetation removal would be minimal. Hydroelectric: One of the key considerations with installing structures in rivers or modifying/creating new channels is the potential for the generation of sedimentary material from ground excavations, ground disturbance and vegetation removal, and the potential for this material to be discharged into the river and surrounding watercourses during construction. Depending on the amount of sedimentary material entering a river/watercourse, combined with factors such as changes in water flow due to controls on the river/diversions during construction, this could have significant effects on water quality/turbidity and associated aquatic habitats and species. Increased levels of sedimentary materials in the river can also affect river morphology further downstream where sedimentary materials are deposited. This can lead to the possible smothering of habitats and species in these areas. Increased turbidity could also affect visibility for certain species which can foraging activities and the movement of species up and down the river. This is a particular issue for migratory species such as Atlantic salmon.
Disturbance of contaminated sediments: Small scale wind, photovoltaics and hydroelectric: There is potential for adverse effects to occur where there is disturbance of historically contaminated sediments during construction and removal depend on the nature (e.g. domestic or industrial waste) of the potential contamination source and local receptors. However, whilst potential effects on water quality resulting from the disturbance of contaminants are most likely to be temporary, depending on the type and amount of materials released, there is potential for contaminants to be dispersed over a much wider area and to persist within the environment for a longer period of time. There is potential that, with hydroelectric schemes, contaminants entering the watercourse during construction of a dam or diversion channel could be dispersed over a large area in a short period of time depending on conditions such as river flow and the type and quantity of the materials released. Geothermal: There is potential that contaminated materials could be disturbed during the drilling of wells and boreholes. This could have an adverse effect on both surface water and groundwater quality depending on where the disturbance of potentially contaminated materials occurs, how the materials are dispersed and the type of materials released. There is a risk that if contaminated materials enter the groundwater systems that this could have an adverse effect on drinking water supplies.
Accidental release of contaminants: Small scale wind, hydroelectric and photovoltaics : There is potential that construction and decommissioning activities may lead to the accidental spillage or leakage of oils, lubricants or other chemicals which could potentially enter into nearby watercourses. Depending on the proximity of watercourses to the development site, the potential effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short term and temporary. However, as with contaminated sediments, depending on the type and amount of materials released these effects could be longer term with contaminants being dispersed over a wider area and persisting for a longer time within the environment. Geothermal: During the construction of a geothermal plant there is potential that exploration drilling for geothermal fluids and installation of abstraction infrastructure could potentially lead to potentially contaminating substances being brought to the surface where they could then be dispersed accidentally into the surrounding environment including sensitive watercourses.
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Creation of pollutant pathways: Small scale wind and photovoltaics: There are likely to be limited requirements for piling as part of small scale wind and photovoltaics therefore limited potential for the creation of pollution pathways. Hydroelectric and geothermal: If piled foundations are used in the construction of a dam or foundations for a geothermal plant there is a potential for pollutant pathways to be created which may adversely affect the groundwater quality. There is also potential that exploration drilling and the installation of abstraction infrastructure for geothermal could lead to the creation of pollution pathways between contaminated materials and sources of pollution and groundwater sources.
Increased surface water run-off: Small scale wind: Most small scale wind projects are likely to be located in existing areas of development. Therefore potential effects in terms of increasing surface water runoff are likely to be minimal. Geothermal: The construction of geothermal plants will require the creation of hard standing and built structures. Relatively small changes to hard surfacing and surface gradients can cause flooding. The construction process may also involve the stripping of surface vegetation which may expose underlying soils and bedrock increasing the total surface run-off and the rate and speed of overland flow. This will increase the potential for soil erosion and transportation of sediment. The increase in impermeable areas and therefore surface run-off in a catchment has the potential to increase pluvial and surface water run-off flooding. Photovoltaics: There is potential that the stripping of vegetation in areas to be developed could result in increase levels and rates of surface water runoff. This could also increase the risk of soil erosion and the transportation of sediment. Hydroelectric: There is potential that river diversions/changes in flow during the installation of hydroelectric schemes/structures could affect water flow along the river. Where water flow is reduced this could have a positive effect in terms of alleviating flood risk problems downstream but could have a negative effect on water quality and aquatic habitats and species by reducing water levels. Increases in water flow due to modifications in river channel morphology or drainage patters upstream could potentially exacerbate flood risk downstream. Increased flow may also lead to changes in river morphology downstream which could also have indirect effects on aquatic habitats and species. The significance of these potential effects would depend upon the extent to which water flow and levels are affected.
Pollution of groundwater and surface water: All technologies: In addition to accidental contamination as discussed above, pollution incidents can occur as a result of improper management of waste water and other waste materials, sanitary plumbing and other liquid storage on site and in the construction compounds. Most potential effects associated with pollution incidents will be dealt with through appropriate waste management processes and procedures. One potential source of pollution includes concrete used during the construction of large structures such as geothermal plants and dams or new water channel as parts hydroelectric schemes. Concrete is highly alkaline, i.e. has a high pH. Therefore where liquid concrete is discharged into watercourse, or leaks into watercourse due to improper management of use and production of concrete on site this could change the pH balance of that watercourse. Changes in pH levels could affect the chemical water quality and the species that depend upon the current baseline conditions. Leakages from the pouring of liquid concrete could also result in the release of suspended solids into the on-site watercourses. De-watering (the removal or draining of groundwater or surface water) from foundations during construction or from geothermal exploration activities (drilling of wells and boreholes) could also cause adverse environmental effects on water resources by resulting in a lowering of the water table. This could potentially effect local vegetation and water levels in nearby surface water bodies and associated ecosystems due to reductions in water availability for certain species and possible concentration of suspended solids and other polluting compounds.
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7.4.4.2 Operation Effects
During operation the following effects could occur:
Accidental release of contaminants: Small scale wind, photovoltaics and hydroelectric: There is a possibility that routine maintenance operations may lead to release of contaminants to water. These could include fuel and lubricating oils, cleaning fluids, paints, specialised chemicals and litter. Depending on the proximity of watercourses effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short term and temporary. However, for hydroelectric schemes pollutants/contaminants entering the river system directly could be dispersed over a much wider area. The significance of the effects would depend on the type of substances released, the amount and their potential to persist with the environment. Geothermal: There is potential that, during the extraction of geothermal fluids from beneath the ground, contaminating substances could also be brought to the surface where they could then be dispersed accidentally into the surrounding environment including sensitive watercourses.
Production of waste water: Geothermal only : The geothermal fluids used to produce steam and turn turbine generally comprises hot or boiling water
which may also contain CO 2, hydrogen sulphide (H 2S), ammonia (NH 3), CH 4, and trace amounts of other gases, as well as dissolved chemicals. Having passed through the geothermal cycle, the cooled fluids are stored in lagoons on site before being transferred back to wells and boreholes. Although these lagoons would not have any hydrological links with surrounding surface and groundwater systems there is still potential for leakages or accidental spillages of these fluids. If these enter the surrounding watercourses these could have adverse effects on water quality and aquatic habitats and species. There is also potential for water discharged as vapour as a result of the heating process to be released into the environment. Further work would be required to establish the likely chemical composition of any water vapour. Water vapour may need to be cooled and returned to liquid so that it can be treated before being discharged from the site.
Increased surface water run-off: Geothermal and photovoltaics only: The construction of geothermal plants requires the creation of hardstanding and built structures. If new plants are located in undeveloped areas/greenfield or undeveloped brownfield sites this could result in an increase in the amount of hard surfacing and changes to surface gradients across the site which can cause flooding due to increased rates and levels of surface water runoff. There is also potential that large solar farms could lead to flooding due to extensive vegetation removal and the presence of large areas of bare ground beneath the solar panels. This could reduce water absorption and causes water to flow rapidly across the site, increasing run off rates and therefore potentially increasing erosion of the soil. This could lead to flooding elsewhere in the catchment.
Increased flood storage: Hydroelectric: There is potential that hydroelectric schemes can also be used to alleviate flood risk further downstream by increasing surface water storage capacity and introducing controls to the watercourse and the flow of water downstream. In areas that are susceptible to flooding this could be a significant beneficial effect. However, it could also have a negative effect on species and habitats downstream if water levels are increased or decreased.
Reduced surface water quality: Hydroelectric : There is potential that changing water flows on rivers due to impoundment or through diversion schemes (channels) could have adverse effects on water quality, especially where flows are reduced downstream. This is particularly important in terms of wider water catchment effects and river basin management requirements where reduced water flows, particularly in smaller rivers and streams, could reduce the dilution of diffuse sources of pollutants such as organic waste present in runoff from surrounding agricultural land or fertilizers and pesticides used on surrounding land. Consequently this could have an adverse effect on water quality. Reductions in water quality are also likely to have an effect on aquatic habitats and species.
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7.4.5 Potential Effects on Soils
7.4.5.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Erosion of exposed ground: Small scale wind, photovoltaics and geothermal: Construction activities such as earth movements, ground disturbance, excavations, vegetation removal or the construction of haul/access roads could lead to the exposure of underlying soils and bedrock. The construction of haul roads and cable trenches also has the potential to alter natural drainage on a site by creating preferential flow pathways. This could increase the speed and volumes of surface water run-off with the potential for the erosion of exposed ground. Hydroelectric: During the construction of new structures or channel modifications there is potential for the exposure of areas of ground/bedrock which could then be subject to erosion from surface water runoff. Where there are important geological structures present this could affect the integrity of these structures/sites.
Loss of agricultural land: All technologies : There is potential that, where developments are located on Greenfield sites, this could lead to long term or permanent loss of productive agricultural land. The significance of these effects would depend on the amount of land lost and the quality of the land in terms of agricultural production. Depending on the type and scale of hydroelectric scheme installed this could lead to the loss of some agricultural land where storage reservoirs/waterbodies are created. Large solar farms could also result in the loss of large areas of agricultural land. These effects are discussed in more detail under land use.
Loss of geological/geomorphological features, including designated sites/features: All technologies: There is potential for construction activities such as earth movements, ground disturbance and excavations, and the construction of access roads/haul roads and supporting infrastructure to result in the direct loss of, or damage/disturbance to geological/geomorphological features. These potential effects are likely to be permanent. The overall significance of these effects depends on the importance of the geological feature e.g. if a site is designated as an ASSI for its geological value.
Disturbance of contaminated soils/ground: All technologies : There is potential for construction activities such as ground disturbance, earth movements and excavations to disturb historically contaminated ground/soils. Where potentially contaminated ground is disturbed there is potential that contaminating substances leach into surrounding ground, or in some cases surrounding watercourses. Where potentially contaminated substances are exposed or leach into surrounding land, these can potentially affect a number of receptors including habitats, species and humans working on the site/living in the surrounding area. Where potentially contaminated ground is identified further investigations would be required to determine the nature of the contaminants, and identify whether these can be treated on site or would require removal and appropriate disposal through licensed landfills that handle hazardous or none hazardous wastes depending on the substances/materials present.
Accidental release of contaminants: All technologies : There is potential that construction and decommissioning activities may lead to the accidental spillage or leakage of oils, lubricants or other chemicals. This risk is greater near to excavations where higher permeability strata are exposed. Effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short – term and temporary. However, depending on the type and quantity of materials released there is potential that contaminants could be dispersed over a wider area and persist in the environment for a longer period of time.
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Land stability: Geothermal: There is potential that the drilling of boreholes and wells as part of the construction of geothermal plants could cause subsidence resulting from the extraction of large quantities of fluids from geothermal reservoirs. This could lead to the gradual sinking of the land surface. The likely significance of the effects would depend on the scale of the development and its location in relation to potentially unstable ground conditions.
7.4.5.2 Operation Effects
Loss of agricultural land : All technologies : There is potential that all technologies could result in the long term loss of agricultural land. This is discussed in more detail under land use.
Soil erosion due to vegetation and topsoil removal: Photovoltaics and hydroelectric: There is potential that vegetation removal required as part of the development of large scale solar farms could increase the risk of long term soil erosion where there is exposed ground beneath and around the solar panels. There is also potential that changes in river channel morphology due to long term changes in water flow could increase the exposure of river banks to erosion. This could have an adverse effect on associated riverine habitats.
Accidental release of contaminants: All technologies: There is potential that routine maintenance during the operation of the different technologies may lead to the release of contaminants to surrounding land. These contaminants could include fuel and lubricating oils, cleaning fluids, paints, specialised chemicals and litter. Effects from accidental spillages are likely to be localised, short term and temporary. However, depending on the type and amount of substances released there is potential that some contaminants could disperse over a wider area or persist in the environment for a longer period of time. There is also potential that as part of the geothermal process, substances and gases carried in geothermal fluids drawn from the ground could accidentally be released as the fluid cools. Depending on the properties of these substances these could be released into the ground through a number of pathways including borehole and well infrastructure from within the storage lagoons.
Land stability: Geothermal: The construction of geothermal plants could potentially cause subsidence resulting from the extraction of large quantities of fluids from geothermal reservoirs. This could result in the gradual sinking of the land surface. The significance of these effects would depend on the location of the development; surrounding geological character and the scale of the development (amount of geothermal fluid that would be extracted). The withdrawal and/or reinjection of geothermal fluids could potentially also trigger or increase the frequency of seismic events in certain areas. Exploitation of geothermal resources so far has never been known to trigger major seismic events. (Dickson and Fanelli 2004).
7.4.6 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Recreation and Tourism
7.4.6.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Potential effects on recreational sites and tourist attractions: All technologies: There is potential for construction activities associated with all forms of development such earth works, ground excavations, vegetation removal, construction of plants or dams, associated infrastructure and access routes, transportation of materials to and from site, associated noise and vibrations and the physical presence of construction equipment and storage areas/compounds to effect the recreational and amenity value of an area. These activities may also affect the quality and value of key tourist attractions either directly or by affecting the setting of a site/attraction.
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Most effects during construction would be short term and temporary. However, depending on the timing of construction activities and the importance of the area/tourist attraction these effects could be significant, in particular if construction activities result in restricted access to recreation sites and tourist attractions or affects the quality and general visitor experience of an area or attraction. These effects are likely to be more significant for developments that are likely to occur in areas of higher recreational value such areas designated as AONBs. Effects associated with small scale wind are likely to be very localised and unlikely to give rise to significant effects. Effects from photovoltaic and geothermal plants are also likely to be very site/location specific. There is more opportunity for these types to developments to be sited away from important tourist and recreational areas/attractions.
Diversion/redirection of recreational routes (footpaths, cycleways, bridleways): All technologies: There is potential that, during construction of the various technologies and associated infrastructure and access routes, there could be a requirement to close or divert existing public rights of way, coastal paths and national trails and other footpaths, cycleways and bridleways. These closures/diversions would mainly be a health and safety measure, and in most cases, recreational routes would be reopened following once construction is completed. However, depending on the location of a development, it may be necessary for some recreational routes to be diverted permanently where routes pass through the centre of a development site. The significance of permanently diverting or temporarily diverting or closing recreational routes depends on the level of use on a given route and its importance e.g. whether a route is of local or national importance.
7.4.6.2 Operational Effects
Potential effects on recreational sites and tourist attractions: All technologies: There is potential for the physical presence of a development to affect the intrinsic scenic, amenity and recreational value of key recreational areas and tourist attractions. These effects would either be direct as a result of a development being located within an area of importance for recreation or tourism or indirect as a result of the development affecting the setting of, or views from, important recreational areas and tourist attractions. These effects are likely to be long term for the duration of the operating period of the development. The overall significance of potential effects depends on the scale of the development, the location and the importance of the area/site and attraction. Small scale wind developments associated with existing developments are unlikely to have significant effects on important tourist and recreation sites. There is potential for some hydroelectric schemes to be located in upland areas, a number of which are designated as AONBs for their scenic value and importance as a recreational and tourist resource. It is likely that most schemes will be small scale and are unlikely to have significant adverse effects on these sites/important recreational and tourist areas. However, where schemes lead to the creation of a new waterbodies these could become visitor attractions in their own right.
Permanent diversion or closure of recreational routes (footpaths, cycleways and bridleways): All technologies: There is potential that as part of a development there could be a requirement to close or permanently divert existing public rights of way, coastal paths and national trails and other footpaths, cycleways and bridleways. The significance of any potential closures or diversions would depend on the level of use on the route and the importance and recreational value of the route nationally, regionally and locally. There are a large number of footpaths, cycleways and bridleways distributed across Northern Ireland. Potential effects on specific routes would have to be examined on a project and site specific basis.
7.4.7 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Noise, Air Quality, Waste and Transportation
The following section provides a description of the potential effects of other renewable energy developments on noise, air quality and waste. The effect of noise on biodiversity, flora and fauna is discussed in Section 7.4.2.
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7.4.7.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Noise and vibration: All technologies : There is potential for a range of construction activities such as ground excavations, earth movements, transportation of materials and construction workers to and from site, construction of structures, access routes and supporting infrastructure, drilling wells and boreholes (geothermal) and the general operation of construction equipment to generate noise and vibrations. The potential for adverse effects associated with noise and vibrations depends on the levels of noise generated, the proximity of the development to sensitive receptors e.g. local residential properties, the duration of the construction period and working hours e.g. works limited to between 8am and 5pm or 24 hour operations. All potential effects are likely to be short term and temporary in nature.
Air quality effects: Nuisance and health effects due to dust emissions and vehicle and plant exhaust emissions: All technologies: There is potential for a range of construction activities such as ground excavations, earth movements, transportation of materials and construction workers to and from site, construction of structures, access routes and supporting infrastructure, drilling of wells and boreholes (geothermal) and the general operation of construction equipment to generate dust and exhaust emissions. The significance of any potential effects depends on the emissions produced (type and quantity), and the proximity of the development, associated infrastructure and access routes to sensitive receptors e.g. local residential properties. Most effects will be localised, temporary and short term in nature. Geothermal: In addition to the effects discussed above, there is also potential that exploration drilling for geothermal fluids has the potential to draw fluid from underground (possibly from depths of 4000m) carrying dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, and small amounts of volatile gases such as mercury, arsenic, boron, antimony and also salt. There is a risk that as the geothermal fluids cool, the gases it contains could be released into the atmosphere. The potential significance of these effects depends on a number of factors including the levels and types of gases released, prevailing wind conditions and the proximity of the development to sensitive receptors.
Waste: All technologies: Depending on the location of the development there may a requirement for materials to be removed from the site, in particular where developments are located on brownfield sites. Where appropriate all soil and aggregates should be recycled on site. However, where potentially contaminated materials are present these may need to be removed from the site to be treated and disposed of appropriately e.g. in suitable landfills. There may also be a requirement if there are invasive species on the site for these to also be removed for controlled disposal. The significance of potential effects depends on the amount and type of materials to be removed and the proximity of the development and associated access routes to sensitive receptors.
Traffic and Transport: All technologies: For all developments there will be a requirement for the transportation of materials and parts to the site and the removal of waste materials from the development site. Materials will generally be transported on large HGV vehicles. The number of HGV movements will depend on the type and scale of development. For most ‘other’ renewable energy developments there is likely to be a requirement to transport large components such as turbines etc. These would comprise abnormal loads. The movement of abnormal loads and large numbers of HGV movements can lead to congestion on local roads caused by large, slow moving vehicles, increased noise levels and vibrations, reduced air quality from vehicle emissions and general environmental and public disturbance. In most cases, access routes to development sites will be assessed to ensure that the movement of large vehicles can be accommodated and suitable routes to the sites avoiding local communities and utilising large, well maintained roads should be used as much as practically possible. In addition to HGV movements, there will also be construction worker traffic. The effect of construction worker traffic on local road networks (traffic levels) and the potential for increases in noise levels and exhaust emissions, depends on the number of vehicle movements associated with the development, distances travelled, shift patterns (in 24 hours) and the overall duration of the construction period. Effects are likely to be more significant were access to the development site is restricted e.g. narrow roads or construction continues for a long period of time.
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7.4.7.2 Operation Effects
Noise: Hydroelectric and photovoltaics: Once operational, there are unlikely to be any significant sources of noise generated from hydroelectric schemes or photovoltaics developments (small and large scale). Small scale wind: The main source of noise from operational wind turbines is from the turbine blades passing through the air as the hub rotates.. Although, this section of the assessment is only looking at small scale wind (e.g. one or two turbines) there is potential that, due to the likely proximity of these developments to existing buildings there could be detectable increased in local noise levels in the immediate area. The overall significance of any effects from noise would depend on the proximity of the development to potential sensitive receptors such as local residents, layout of the development and prevailing wind direction. Geothermal: The main potential sources of noise from operational geothermal plants include the abstraction of geothermal fluids, turbines, other generating equipment and electrical transformers. Most of these activities will be housed within the overall building structure and thereby providing the potential for appropriate acoustic treatment to be incorporated into the building façade design. In addition to plant noise there is also potential for noise to be generated by staff movements to and from the site and within the site. The likely significance of these effects on local noise levels will depend on a number of factors including the proximity of the development to nearby sensitive receptors e.g. local residential properties, and the number of workers to be employed at the site and shift patterns.
Air quality effects: Small scale wind, photovoltaics and hydroelectric: Operational wind turbines, photovoltaics and hydroelectric schemes do not have any direct effects on air quality as there are no emissions to air associated with these developments or their associated infrastructure. There could potentially be some emissions from maintenance vehicles. However, due to the limited requirements for site maintenance in terms of frequency and number of personnel involved, the potential effects of these emissions on local air quality are negligible. Geothermal: There is potential for gases contained within the abstracted geothermal fluids to be released as the fluid is brought to the surface and cooled. The technologies involved in geothermal plants include mechanism to capture and treat any gases that may be released from the fluids to prevent these substances being released into the atmosphere. However, there is still potential that some gases could be emitted to the atmosphere. The significance of any potential effects associated with emissions from geothermal plants depends on the type and quantity of gas released, rate and pattern of dispersion in relation to prevailing wind directions and proximity of the development to sensitive receptors.
Air quality - beneficial localised and regional impacts due to the decommissioning of traditional fossil fuel plant (Environmental and health impacts due primarily to reduced emissions of NOX and PM10): All technologies: The replacement of fossil fuel burning plants with ‘other’ forms of renewable energy developments has the potential for an overall improvement in local and regional air quality.
Odour: Small scale wind, photovoltaics and hydroelectric: These are unlikely to generate any odour emissions. Geothermal: There is potential that gases released from geothermal fluids during the heating and cooling processes could generate odours as they are released or treated. There is also potential for fluid stored in the storage lagoons to emit odours. The significance of any potential effects depends on the type of gases released and the proximity of the development to surrounding sensitive receptors.
Traffic and Transport: All technologies: There are likely to be some traffic movements associated with the ongoing operation and maintenance of some of the technologies, mainly geothermal plants. The significance of these effects would depend on the number
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of workers employed on the site and shift patterns etc. There may also be the requirement for the transportation of new or replacement parts for operational developments (e.g. turbine parts).
7.4.8 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Shadow Flicker
The following section provides a description of the potential effects of small scale wind developments in terms of shadow flicker. These effects are only associated with the operational phases of a development and therefore have not been discussed with regard to construction effects.
7.4.8.1 Operation Effects
Shadow flicker: Small scale wind: Under certain combinations of conditions e.g. geographical position, distance from receptor, time of day and year, wind speed and wind direction, the sun may pass behind wind turbine rotors and cast shadow over neighbouring buildings’ windows. When the blades rotate, and the shadow passes a window, to a person within that room the shadow appears to flick on and off; this effect is known as shadow flicker. It occurs only within buildings where the flicker appears through a window opening and only buildings within 130 degrees either side of north relative to a turbine. Shadow flicker present a nuisance to amenity where people are within the rooms affected by the phenomenon and at certain frequencies the flickering effect caused can have the potential to induce epileptic seizures, through a condition known as photosensitive epilepsy. This can happen for small developments comprising one turbine as well as larger developments with a large number of turbines. The overall significance of effects associated with shadow flicker depends on the proximity of a development to residential properties and the orientation and layout of the wind turbines.
7.4.9 Potential Effects on Material Assets
The following section provides a description of the potential effects of other renewable developments on material assets.
7.4.9.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Land use: All technologies: Depending on the former use of a site, the installation of a renewable energy development is likely to constitute a change in land use. Within the site boundary this change in land use will be permanent (discussed under operational effects below). However, during construction there is potential that certain activities could lead to temporary disruptions in access to surrounding land uses e.g. agricultural land, business/industrial premises and residential properties. These disruptions to access are likely to occur either as a result of closure or diversion of existing access routes/points or due to congestion caused by the transportation of materials and parts required for the construction of a scheme. Construction activities may also affect access to or use of recreational facilities or areas (including footpaths, cycleways and bridleways) and tourist attractions as discussed in Section 7.4.6. The significance of potential effects on land use depends on the duration of the construction period and the number of properties/types of land uses affected. Most effects will be temporary and short term in nature.
Commercial and Residential Property: All technologies: In addition to restricted access there is potential for construction activities to have effects on commercial and residential properties in terms of affecting views from properties and the overall setting and aesthetic value of a property. Further details on potential effects of other renewable energy developments on landscape character and visual amenity is provided in Section 7.4.1. The main sources of potential effects on properties include the physical presence of construction equipment and the appearance of a construction site and construction activities
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and general disturbance and nuisance (noise and dust) from construction activities such as earth movements, ground excavations, and construction activities. Properties located along main transport routes may also be affected during construction. The significance of the effects will depend on the duration of the construction period, working hours, the proximity of the project to surrounding development and the type of property affected e.g. residential, community facilities e.g. schools and commercial, business or industrial units. It is likely that most effects would be temporary and short-term.
7.4.9.2 Operation Effects
Radar and electromagnetic interference: Small scale wind only: There is potential that small scale wind developments could have potential effects on aviation and other radar (e.g. shipping), television and radio links and other microwave point to point links. In general the effects on aviation radar are likely to be less significant for small scale developments. However, on the basis that small scale wind developments are likely to be associated with existing developments and therefore likely to be developed in built up areas there is still potential for significant effects in terms of telecommunications interference. Aviation radar may be affected by wind farm developments in two ways; the physical obstruction caused by the turbines and the effect that the turbine structure and rotating blades may have on communications, navigation and surveillance systems. The performance of civil radar may be degraded by the electromagnetic signal generated by turbine motion. Resulting effects include false radar responses and the masking of objects in the sky in the lee of wind farms. This can affect civil and military radar. Depending on the location of wind farms activities such as search and rescue and marine and coastguard radar signals can also be affected. Turbine density, individual turbine size, construction material and blade shape are factors which may influence the degree to which radar is affected. Certain civil and military aerodromes and technical sites are officially safeguarded to ensure that their operation is not compromised by developments such as wind farms. NATS (En Route) Plc (“NERL”) is responsible for the safe and expeditious movement in the en-route phase of flight for aircraft operating in controlled airspace in the UK 14 . When identifying possible sites for development it will be necessary for developers to consult NATS and the CAA to identify whether the proposed development lies within a ‘potential to interfere’ NERL area or is within any 30km consultation areas applied to airports and other aerodromes. Wind developments also have the potential to interfere with television, radio and other communication links by causing the distortion or corruption of signals. Where there is television or radio interference this can lead to ghosting or television pictures becoming jittery or radio reception can become unclear and congested. Consultation is required with a range of telecommunications and other operators to identify where links exist and determine whether a development would interfere with those links.
Land use: Hydroelectric and photovoltaics: Hydroelectric schemes and photovoltaic developments are likely to result in a long term change of land use in a certain location. Depending on the availability of resource there is potential that some hydro schemes may be developed in rural areas. It is also likely that large scale photovoltaic developments such as solar farms will be developed in open, rural locations where opportunities for maximising sunlight penetration are maximised. The main land use in these locations is generally agricultural (grazing or arable farming). The presence of a solar farm and where hydro schemes lead to the creation of storage reservoirs, this could constitute a permanent change in land use in these areas. It is likely that both hydro and photovoltaic schemes would be generally be small scale. The likely significance of any effects on land use would depend on the amount and type/quality of the agricultural land lost. Small scale wind and geothermal: Most small scale wind developments are likely to be located in urban areas or areas of existing development as the schemes are usually developed as part of improving the overall sustainability of existing developments or land uses e.g. commercial operations or industrial processes. Geothermal plants could potentially be located anywhere where there is potential to extract geothermal fluids from the ground. Other than having a direct effect on the existing land use on the proposed development site, there is also potential that, based on the industrial nature of
14 http://www.bwea.com/aviation/nats.html
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this form of development, this it could be incompatible with range of other land uses e.g. residential developments, retail, commercial, recreation and tourism, health and education land uses. The effect of geothermal plants on surrounding land uses would need to be assessed in more detail at the project level.
Mineral resource/aggregates and forestry: Photovoltaics: There is potential that large scale photovoltaic developments such as solar farms could lead to long term restrictions to key areas for aggregate and mineral extraction or forestry. However, it is likely that these effects would not be permanent on the basis that the solar panels could be removed. Small scale wind, geothermal and hydro : Depending on the specific location of these types of schemes there is potential that areas for future mineral and aggregate extraction and forestry could be sterilised. However, it is likely that small scale wind developments would be located in built up areas where mineral extraction and forestry is unlikely to occur. In terms of geothermal, due to the importance of the geothermal resource it is likely that extensive geological and geomorphological surveys and investigations would be undertaken as part of the identification of an area of geothermal resource that could be exploited. In undertaking these investigations, it likely that an areas potential for mineral and aggregate extraction would also be also be assessed.
Commercial, residential and other property: All technologies: There is potential that renewable energy developments in certain locations could potentially have an adverse effect on the local amenity value and the aesthetic quality of residential properties, in particular where developments intrude on key views from properties. Further detail on potential landscape and visual effects is provided in Section 7.4.1.
7.4.10 Potential Effects on Climatic Factors:
The following is a description of the potential effects of other renewable energy developments on climatic factors.
7.4.10.1 Construction and Decommissioning Effects
Vehicle and plant exhaust emissions : All technologies: During construction and decommissioning there could potentially be adverse effects on climate due to
the generation of CO 2 emissions from vehicles used during construction/decommissioning. These potential effects are likely to be temporary and short term. The overall significance of these potential effects will be dependent on the amount and types of vehicle movements generated during the construction period, the duration of the construction period and the distances over which materials are transported.
Carbon footprint of construction activities:
All technologies: Any generating plant (including renewable energy developments) holds embodied CO 2 – that is, CO 2 emissions associated with the manufacture of the plant, including raw material extraction and transport. However, the overall effects of the development on climate in terms of carbon emissions (positive and adverse) are considered to be low compared to the emissions relating to the overall operation of a plant.
7.4.10.2 Operational Effects
Beneficial effects on climate due to the decommissioning of traditional fossil fuel plant: Small scale wind, photovoltaics and hydroelectric: The replacement of fossil fuel burning plant with onshore renewable energy development has the potential for an overall improvement in terms of potential effect on climate. The greater the proportion of energy generated by other renewable technologies compared with fossil fuel combustion, and other fuel combustion, the greater the positive effects. Traditional fossil fuel based power generation involves the direct emission
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to air of various pollutants, including ‘greenhouse gases’ (mainly carbon dioxide (CO 2) which contribute to global warming. Renewable technologies will result in near-zero operational emissions to air and hence their use in place of traditional fossil fuels will result in greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Geothermal : The fluids drawn from the earth are used to heat water or another working fluid, which turns a generator to produce electricity. The fluid is then cooled and returned to the heat source. The fluids drawn from the earth carry a
mixture of gases, such as CO 2, H 2S, CH 4, and NH 3 which contribute to global warming and acid rain, if released. Plants that experience high levels of acids and volatile chemicals can be equipped with emission-control systems.
7.5 Generic Effects: Grid upgrades/reinforcements and associated infrastructure
The following section provides an overview of the main potential effects associated with grid connections and upgrades. These effects are not discussed to the same level of detail as the potential effects associated with the various renewable energy technologies, as these are the main focus of the plan (OREAP). However, potential effects associated with grid connections and reinforcements/upgrades will need to be taken into account/consideration when examining the effects of developing each of the renewable energy technologies in different locations across Northern Ireland.
7.5.1 Onshore Grid Components:
The assessment of potential effects of onshore grid reinforcements and upgrades focuses on the following components: Underground Cables: Various (can be used from 400kV through to 11kV). Most cabling in Northern Ireland is used for the local distribution network e.g. 11kV and 33kV in built up areas. Some small sections of 110kV and 275kV lines are also cabled. Overhead Lines: Transmission lines (400kV and 275kV) which are usually mounted on metal lattice towers and distribution network overhead lines (110kV which can be mounted on metal or wooden towers) and 33kV and 11kV lines which are mounted on wooden poles. Substations and Convertor Stations: Substations are used to switch lines and transform voltages up or down. Convertor stations are used to transform Direct Current (DC) into Alternating Current (AC) or vice versa. Substations and convertor stations vary in size and type depending on their voltage and whether they use Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) (open air) or Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) (enclosed within a building). Electrical substations and convertor stations comprise various components including voltage switches, transformers and associated wiring and cabling. For the purpose of this assessment the focus will mainly be on substations.
7.5.2 Potential Effects on Landscape Character and Visual Amenity:
7.5.2.1 Construction
Cables: Ground disturbance and vegetation removal associated with cable trenching activities will potentially have short term/temporary effects on landscape character and visual amenity. Installation of temporary haul/access routes along cables routes may also have temporary effects on landscape character and visual amenity. The presence of cable installation equipment, site offices and storage compounds may also have temporary effect on landscape character and visual amenity. Overhead lines: There is potential for temporary effects on landscape character and visual amenity associated with the transportation and installation of towers and stringing of overhead lines. The likely significance of these effects will depend on the length and voltage of the overhead line. Substations: Ground excavations and disturbance, vegetation removal, presence of construction equipment, site offices, storage compounds, construction activities, and the transportation and storage of transformers and switchgear is likely
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to have temporary effects on landscape character and visual amenity. The likely significance of these effects is likely to depend on the size and voltage of the substation.
7.5.2.2 Operation
Cables: There are unlikely to be any long term adverse effects on landscape character from underground cables, however there may be localised short term impacts on landscape character resulting from cable maintenance or repair. Overhead lines and Substations: Depending on the voltage of the line and the location/route of the overhead line there is potential for new overhead lines to have significant adverse effects on landscape character and visual amenity. Overhead lines are permanent structures. When assessing the potential effects of overhead lines, substations and other associated infrastructure on landscape character and designated landscapes the following attributes need to be taken into account: Scale - the scale of the receiving landscape has an impact on its ability to accommodate particular grid proposals. In general, the large scale of transmission towers tends to be better accommodated in a large scale and relatively simple landscape. In addition, uncomfortable comparisons of scale can be created where towers are located in the context of a more domestic scale such as housing; Setting - the combination of landform, foreground, background and features within a view, which provide the landscape setting, influences the nature of the effect of a development. The sense of enclosure provided by topography, vegetation or built features may improve the ability of the landscape to accommodate transmission lines, towers and associated infrastructure; Sense of remoteness – the sense of tranquillity or remoteness associated with landscape setting may indicate the suitability of the landscape to accommodate transmission grid. In landscapes that are tranquil or remote, transmission lines, towers and associated infrastructure would introduce man-made structures which may be perceived as inappropriate in the most remote landscapes; Designated landscapes - the concentration of locally sensitive or designated landscapes provides an indication of the sensitivity of the receiving landscape for this development type; Focus - specific views often focus in a particular direction. The location of overhead towers and routing of an overhead line, in relation to this focus could form strong new focal points within the landscape. It is important to consider whether these strong new focal points could impact upon locally important views and landmark features within the receiving landscape; Unity - the relationship of transmission towers to each other affects whether transmission lines, within the context of the existing landscape fabric, read as a cohesive entity or as fragmented; and Existing infrastructure – Other vertical elements, such as existing transmission towers, telecommunications masts or wind turbines can also detract from the unity of proposed transmission lines and towers, potentially creating visual confusion and clutter to the existing landscape setting.
Visual effects result from changes in the composition of the available existing views, due to changes to the landscape and visual amenity. In terms of overhead lines and substations the degree to which receptors are affected by changes in available views depends on a number of factors including: Receptor activities, such as relaxing at home, taking part in leisure, recreational and sporting activities, travelling or working; Whether receptors are likely to be stationary or moving and how long they will be exposed to the change at any one time; The importance of the location, as reflected by designations, inclusion in guidebooks or the facilities provided for visitors; Extent of the route or area over which the changes would be visible; Frequency – whether receptors will be exposed to the change daily, frequently, occasionally or rarely; and Orientation of receptors in relation to development(s), whether views are oblique or direct.
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7.5.3 Potential Effects on Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna:
7.5.3.1 Construction
Cables: Ground disturbance and excavations and vegetation removal associated with cable trenching activities could have potential adverse effects on habitats and species as a result of direct habitat loss, disturbance and fragmentation along the route of the cable trench, the footprint of any temporary access and haul routes and elsewhere within the construction corridor e.g. in areas used for storage compounds and site offices. The likely significance of these effects would depend in the sensitivity of the habitats and species affected along the cable route and the size and length of the cable. There is also potential for species disturbance as a result of direct loss or disturbance of associated habitat or from noise, dust and general disturbance during trenching and other cable laying activities and from the operation of cable installation equipment. Overhead lines: There is potential for habitat loss and disturbance during the excavation of foundations for overhead line towers and the installation of temporary access routes along the overhead line route. There is also potential for species disturbance resulting from habitat loss and disturbance and from noise, dust and human presence during the construction of the overhead line. The significance of these effects depends on the sensitivity of the habitats and species in the vicinity of the overhead line towers/access routes e.g. breeding or foraging habitats for certain species. Substations: Ground excavations and disturbance, vegetation removal and the installation of temporary access routes, site offices and compounds and other construction activities could lead to habitat loss and damage. This could also lead to species disturbance and possible displacement. The significance of these effects will depend on the location of individual substations and the sensitivity of habitats and species in the area affected by the development and the surrounding area.
7.5.3.2 Operation
Cables: Most effects on habitats and species will occur during cable installation. Once the cable is installed the land along the cable route would be fully reinstated to its previous condition. However, maintenance and repair of underground cables may result in, generally localised, disturbance of habitats and their associated species. The urgency of these activities may require disruption at critical times of, for example, the bird breeding cycle. Overhead lines: As with the cables, most effects on habitats and species are likely to occur during the construction of the overhead line and the installation of the towers. There is also likely to be habitat reinstatement around the base of individual towers, although this will have to be managed to prevent vegetation cover affecting the integrity of the towers. There is potential that some overhead lines (mainly larger transmission lines (275kV or 400kV)) could create a collision hazard for large low flying waterfowl such as geese and swans which are less agile in flight than smaller bird species. The likelihood of these effects occurring would depend on the location of the overhead line in relation to key migration routes and other flight pathways for these species and the voltage of the line. Substations: As with the cables, most effects on habitats and species will occur during the construction of a substation. There will be long term habitat loss and species displacement from within the main footprint of the substation. However, there may be opportunities, depending on the location of the development to create compensatory habitat elsewhere or for this to form part of the planting/screening associated with design of the substation. There is very limited transport movements associated with substations and limited emissions (except some potential noise from the transformers). Potential effects on habitats and species outside the footprint of the development are likely to be minimal. However, this will depend on the location of the substation and its overall scale/voltage and design.
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7.5.4 Potential Effects on Water:
7.5.4.1 Construction
Cables: There is potential for ground disturbance, cable trench excavations and vegetation removal to have adverse effects on water quality due to increased release of sediment. Depending on the cable route there may also be a need for the cable to either cross or be directionally drilled beneath watercourses. Depending on the methods used to cross a watercourse this could lead to increased release of sediment and possible accidental release of contaminants into local watercourse during cable installation. Depending on the depth of the cable trench and the height of the water table in certain locations there is potential that cable installation activities could breach groundwater sources. There is also a potential risk that cable trenching through potentially contaminated land could lead to contaminated materials entering the local watercourse either directly or via surface water runoffs/percolation in areas of ground disturbance. Likely significant effects can be reduce or avoided by selecting cable routes that avoid sensitive watercourses, or minimise the number of watercourse that need to be crossed by the cable. In upland areas where cables are installed in association with wind farm development, cable trenching could affect local drainage patterns through areas of peat bog. This could affect ground stability in areas of peat, especially where runoff is redirected leading to either the creation of new drainage channels or areas drying out. Overhead lines and substations: Ground disturbance, excavation of overhead line towers and substation foundations, vegetation removal, installation of access routes/haul routes, construction of site offices and storage compounds could lead to increased sediment release into surrounding watercourse due to exposure of soil and bare ground and increased surface water runoff rates. There is also potential for the accidental release of pollutants or contaminated materials into watercourse from construction activities (disturbance of contaminated land) and construction equipment. These effects are likely to be temporary in nature although this would depend on the type and quantity of the substances released the rate of dispersal and area affected and the time over which they are likely to persist in the environment.
7.5.4.2 Operation
Cables: Most effects on watercourses will occur during cable installation. However, there is potential for the presence of buried cables in some locations to effect land drainage patterns (natural and man-made). The effects of this are likely to be more significant in areas of agricultural land uses where land drainage patterns are essential to land productivity. Overhead lines and substations : As with cables, most effects on watercourses are likely to occur during the construction of/or upgrade to the overhead lines and the substations. It is unlikely overhead lines or substations would have any long terms effects on water quality as there are no emissions to water from these developments.
7.5.5 Potential Effects on Soil:
7.5.5.1 Construction
Cables: There is potential for ground disturbance, cable trench excavations and vegetation removal to have adverse effects on soil and ground conditions due to the exposure, and potential erosion of, soil and bedrock. These effects are likely to be localised and are likely to affect the main cable trench, although there may be some soil erosion associated with the installation and use of temporary access routes and construction activities within the main working corridor. Where cables are associated with wind farms in upland areas there could be potential for cable trenching activities to disturb peat bogs. Depending on the scale of the construction works and area of disturbance this could affect ground stability along the cable route. This will also be influenced by changes in land drainage patterns (see water above). There is also a potential risk that cable trenching activities could disturb potentially contaminated materials/substances. These contaminants could migrate into surrounding areas/land, depending on the level of disturbance and type and
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amount of material disturbed. In areas where there is potential for ground contamination, it may be necessary to carry out ground investigations prior to cable installation to determine if there is contaminated land present. Overhead lines and substations: Ground disturbance, excavation of overhead line towers and substation foundations, vegetation removal, installation of access routes/haul routes, construction of site offices and storage compounds could lead to the exposure, and potential erosion of, soil and underlying bedrock within the working corridor/footprint of the substation. There is also potential for the disturbance of potentially contaminated ground. Contaminated materials/substances in these areas could migrate into surrounding areas/land, depending on the level of disturbance and type and amount of material disturbed. In areas where there is potential for ground contamination, it may be necessary to carry out ground investigations prior to development to determine if there is contaminated land present.
7.5.5.2 Operation
Cables: Most effects on soil and ground conditions will occur during cable installation. Therefore there are unlikely to be any adverse effects on soil during operation. Potential effects on agricultural land are discussed under land use. Overhead lines and substations : As with cables, most effects on soils and ground conditions are likely to occur during the construction/upgrade of an overhead line and the substation. It is unlikely overhead lines or substations would have any long terms effects on soils and ground conditions as there are no emissions to ground from these developments.
7.5.6 Potential Effects on Archaeology and Built Historic Environment
7.5.6.1 Construction
Cables, overhead lines and substations: There is potential that cabling trenching activities and the excavation of tower and substation foundations and associated ground disturbance could lead to the direct loss, damage or disturbance of archaeological sites and remains (surface and buried). Where developments are proposed in areas where there may be potential for archaeological remains to be present it may be necessary to carry out more detailed site surveys e.g. trial trenching and geophysical surveys prior to development and have a watching brief conducted by a licensed archaeologist during construction. .
7.5.6.2 Operation
Cables: Most effects on archaeological remains and built historic environment are likely to occur as a result of ground disturbance during cable installation. There are unlikely to be any adverse effects during the operation of the cables. Overhead lines and substations: In terms of direct loss, damage or disturbance of archaeological sites and remains, this is most likely to occur during the installation/replacements of overhead line towers and the construction of substations. However, there is potential that, once operational, the presence of overhead lines and substations could have adverse effects on the setting of important archaeological and historical sites and features such as World Heritage Sites (e.g. Giant’s Causeway), Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, listed buildings and historic parks and gardens. The potential effects on the setting of these features would need to be taken into account as part of route and site selection.
7.5.7 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Recreation and Tourism 7.5.7.1 Construction
Cables, overhead lines and substations: There is potential that the presence of construction equipment and noise and dust and other general disturbance associated with general construction activities e.g. excavation of cable trenches and building foundations could affect public enjoyment of tourism and recreation facilities. These affects are likely to be
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localised and will depend on the proximity of the development to the recreation/tourist site/facility and the nature of the facility. There is also potential that construction activities could disrupt access to key recreation and tourism facilities. There is also potential that overhead line/substation construction and cable installation activities could require temporary closures or diversions of footpaths, cycleways and bridleways.
7.5.7.2 Operation
Cables: Most effects on recreation and tourist sites and facilities are likely to occur during cable installation (e.g. closure or diversion of footpaths) and therefore are likely to be temporary and short term in nature. Once installed, most land uses located along, or in the immediate vicinity of a cable route will be fully reinstated. Therefore it is unlikely that there would be any longer term adverse effects during the operation of the cables. Overhead lines and substations: Potential effects on recreation and tourism will depend on the location of the overhead lines/substations and the character/type of recreation and tourist attraction. The main effects on recreation and tourism will be associated with the physical presence of overhead lines and substations and their influence on the setting or intrinsic value of a certain site or attraction. Potential adverse effects are most likely to occur in areas where the scenic value or visual amenity of an area forms an integral part of the overall public experience/enjoyment of that attraction. Recreation and tourist areas or attractions that are likely to be most sensitive to overhead lines and substations include sites that are designated for their intrinsic scenic value, setting or natural beauty/interest such as the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site (WHS) which is one of Northern Ireland's most important visitor attractions. Other sensitive areas and sites are likely to include for example Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) which are designated to provide protection to distinctive landscapes and areas of scenic beauty and to promote their enjoyment by the public. Potential effects of overhead lines and substations on key recreation and tourist attractions/sites would be assessed as part of the landscape and visual assessment for these developments. Other potential effects include possible long term/permanent closure and/or diversion of recreation routes such as footpaths, cycleways and bridleways. The significance of these effects would depend on the importance of the route for example whether it is essential for local access to essential services or if it forms part of a key designated national trail. Due to the nature of these developments, it is likely that it would be possible to provide diversions to existing routes or provide alternative/compensatory routes in the surrounding area. 7.5.8 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: Noise, Air Quality, Waste and Transportation
7.5.8.1 Construction
Cables, overhead lines and substations: There is potential that activities such as the excavation of cable trenches and tower and substation foundations, vegetation removal and the construction of temporary access routes, site offices and storage compounds could have adverse effects on local noise levels and air quality. Depending on the voltage of the cables and overhead lines, there is also potential that the transportation of large cable drums, tower components and substation equipment e.g. transformers could lead to local traffic disruptions and congestion as, due to the potential size of these pieces of equipment, these tend to have to be transported on large low loading HGVs. In some locations there may be requirements to modify existing road junctions or create new access points to gain access to sections of either the cable route or overhead lines. There may also be some localised effects on air quality due to emissions generated during the transportation of cables and other electrical components. Where sections of cable are laid in roads, this is likely to lead to the creation of large amounts of aggregate, especially if cables are installed using open trench methods rather than being passed through ducts. Where waste aggregates are generated, it is encouraged that as much of this material as possible e.g. in some cases 60% or more should be re-used on site (backfill). Where cables are installed through open land, any excavated materials/ground should also be re-used on site to minimise waste production.
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7.5.8.2 Operation
Cables: There are unlikely to be any adverse effects on noise levels, air quality, waste or traffic and transport. Overhead lines and substations: There is potential that overhead lines and substations will generate a certain amount of noise. This is usually in the form of a ‘crackling’ or ‘humming’ from the electrical equipment which is caused by a phenomenon known as the ‘corona effect’. The level of noise generated tends to increase in damp conditions or when airborne debris comes into contact with the electrical equipment or overhead lines. The significance of these potential effects depends on the proximity of overhead lines and substations to sensitive noise receptors e.g. local properties. In terms of emissions to air (dust or vehicle emissions), these are likely to be minimal as there are now emissions from operational overhead lines and substations and there are limited traffic movements associated with the operation of this infrastructure. There are also likely to be no adverse effects in terms of waste or traffic and transport.
7.5.9 Potential Effects on Population and Human Health: EMF
7.5.9.1 Operation
Cables, overhead lines and substations: People experience electric and magnetic fields and the electromagnetic forces they represent on a daily basis as these occur naturally in the atmosphere and within the human body. Electric and magnetic fields are also produced wherever electricity is used including in the home. Underground cables, overhead lines and substations associated with renewable energy generation developments are all sources of electric and magnetic fields. The strength of the electric fields is dependent on the voltage of a line or substation. Magnetic fields are dependent on strength of the current at any given point along an electrical connection. These fields vary as demand changes. There is a perceived risk that electric and magnetic fields created by electric infrastructure could have potential effects on human health, in particular for people who live in very close proximity to high voltage power lines where there is perceived to be an increased risk of exposure to the electric and magnetic fields. The levels of exposure to electric and magnetic fields will be dependent on a number of factors including the proximity of the development to residential properties, the scale of the development and the voltage of the required grid connection. For all developments requiring additional grid infrastructure this will have to be designed to meet UK Government exposure limits for EMFs in order to prevent any possible effects on human health.
7.5.10 Potential Effects on Material Assets
7.5.10.1 Construction
Cables, overhead lines and substations: There is potential that construction activities such as cable installation and the construction of overhead lines and substations could lead to temporary disruptions in access to surrounding land uses e.g. agricultural land, forestry, business and industrial premises and residential properties. These disruptions in access are likely to occur either as a result of closure or diversion of existing access routes/points or due to congestion caused by the transportation of cables, overhead line towers and substation components. Construction activities may also affect access to, or use of recreation and tourism facilities/attractions including footpaths, cycleways and bridleways. The significance of these potential effects depends on the duration of the construction period and the type of land use affected. Most effects will be temporary and short term in nature. In addition to restricted access there is potential for construction activities to have effects on commercial and residential properties in terms of affecting views from properties and the overall setting and aesthetic value of a property. Further detail on the potential effects of cables, overhead lines and substations on landscape character and visual amenity is provided in Section 7.5.1. The main sources of potential effects on properties include the physical presence of construction equipment and the appearance of a construction site and construction activities and general disturbance and nuisance (noise and dust) from construction activities such as earth movements, ground excavations, cable and
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overhead line installation, and the construction of access roads. Properties located along main transport routes (for transporting large electrical components and cable drums) may also be affected during construction. The significance of the effects will depend on the duration of the construction period, working hours, the proximity of the cable, overhead line and substation to surrounding development and the type of property affected e.g. residential, community facilities e.g. schools and commercial, business or industrial units. It is likely that most effects would be temporary and short- term.
7.5.10.2 Operation Effects
Cables: There is potential that where cables are installed through agricultural land there may a requirement for the creation of an easement along the cable route where certain agricultural activities would be restricted due to potential risk of damage to the buried cable. These activities may include for example deep ploughing where ground disturbance could affect buried cables. The extent to which certain activities may be restricted would depend in the depth to which a cable is buried and the type of soil/ground in an area. There may also be a requirement to retain access to a cable along its route which could involve maintaining access routes through private land. Overhead lines: There is potential that where overhead lines are installed there may a requirement for the creation of an easement along the overhead line where certain activities would be restricted due to potential risk of damage to the overhead line cables. This is most likely to affect areas of built development or areas of woodland plantation where easements are required to prevent trees falling onto a line or branches encroaching onto lines. In terms of agricultural land uses, it is likely that in most cases certain activities can continue as normal e.g. crop cultivation and grazing, except for within the immediate footprint of the overhead line towers. The extent of land use restrictions would depend on the voltage of the line and tower design. For example, overhead lines installed on wooden poles are unlikely to result in significant effects on land use, whereas 275kV and 400kV lattice towers have much larger footprints and are therefore likely to lead to increased restrictions on certain land uses. There is a perceived risk that overhead line developments could potentially have significant adverse effect on the local amenity value and the aesthetic quality of residential properties, in particular where developments intrude on key views from properties. Further detail on potential landscape and visual effects is provided in Section 7.5.1.
Substations: Substation developments are likely to result in a long term/permanent change of land use. The significance of these effects depends on the location and scale of the development, and the type and value of the land use affected. In addition to having a direct effect on existing land uses within the main area of development in terms of direct changes of use, substation developments could have adverse effects on surrounding land uses.
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8 Cumulative Assessment: Testing Generation Scenarios
8.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the results from the assessment of the onshore Generation Scenarios presented in the OREAP for the development of onshore wind, biomass and ‘other’ renewable energy technologies (hydroelectric, small scale wind, photovoltaics and geothermal) across Northern Ireland. The effects discussed in this chapter are based on the information presented in Chapter 7: Generic Effects.
8.2 Energy Demand, Required Installed Capacity and Renewable Energy Targets in Northern Ireland
The current target for renewable electricity generation in Northern Ireland as set out in the Strategic Energy Framework (SEF) 2010 is for 40% of its electricity consumption to come from renewable sources by 2020. The previous target is for 12% by 2012 which Northern Ireland is on track to achieve. In terms of the overall energy demand for Northern Ireland, the Ove Arup study in advance of the SEF estimated demand to reach around 11,000GWh by 2020 which equates to an installed capacity of approximately 4000MW, based on a 1.6% pa growth in electricity demand (SONI’s 2009-2015 Generation Capacity Statement medium growth rate which accounts for economic and population growth - (It should be noted that this growth forecast was up to date in 2009 at the time of the study – the most recent growth figure from SONI is reduced to 1.5%) with the study also taking into account a 1% year on year reduction in consumption in line with the 1% energy efficiency target for Northern Ireland.. For the purposes of this strategic level assessment it has been identified that in order to meet the target of 40% by 2020, approximately 1400 - 1,800MW installed capacity will have to be met from renewable sources. However, it should be noted that this figure will vary depending on the energy mix adopted as different technologies have different installed and generating capacities. For example, biomass generates electricity continuously whereas electricity generation from onshore wind fluctuates according to weather conditions and curtailment. In order to meet the 40% target for renewable energy sources, this could be achieved with a lower total installed capacity (MW) for biomass than onshore wind as there would be less need to factor in downtime associated with periods of still air and necessary periods of curtailment e.g. a mix with 100MW biomass may only require 1300MW onshore wind. The focus of this plan (OREAP) is to consider how onshore renewable energy technologies could contribute towards the 40% target by 2020 and to identify a series of key actions that need to be taken forward in order to support the growth of the development of the renewable energy industry in Northern Ireland. Further details on the OREAP are provided in Chapter 2 of this report.
8.3 Onshore Renewable Energy Generation Scenarios
In order to identify how the different renewable energy technologies could contribute towards achieving the 40% target for electricity generation by 2020 it was necessary to examine the potential environmental effects of each of the different technologies and the potential cumulative effects associated with developing these technologies at different levels (MW). Onshore generation scenarios were created in order to establish the different levels of development that may occur for the different technologies and understand how these might contribute towards achieving the 40% target by 2020. These have been established for onshore wind, biomass and ‘other’ renewable energy technologies and are presented in Table 8.1 below. These generation scenarios have formed the basis of the cumulative assessment presented at the end of this chapter in Tables 8.6 to 8.8.
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Table 8.1: Generation Scenarios (for Operational Development)
Low Range High Range
Onshore Wind 800MW to 1000MW 1000MW to 1200MW
Biomass 30MW to 100MW 100MW to 300MW
Other* 30MW to 100MW 100MW to 200MW
It should be noted that the figures presented for the low and high scenarios above do not contribute to an overall total amount of installed capacity in MW due to the variations in the generating capacities of the various technologies as explained in Section 8.2 above.
8.3.1 Generation Scenarios for Onshore Wind
The assessment is based on the following assumptions with regard to the average characteristics of onshore wind farm developments in Northern Ireland: Typical Number of turbines per site: 3 to 15 turbines Typical Height of turbines: 60m to 125m (base to blade tip) Installed capacity (MW) range: 1MW to 60MW Average installed capacity : 15-20 MW
An explanation of how these assumptions have been calculated is included in Appendix E. They are indicative and used to provide a basis for undertaking this strategic level assessment. It is likely that most of the prime wind farm sites have already been identified and have either already been developed, have consent for development or are awaiting the determination of applications for consent. There are a large number of applications for development consent currently being considered by Planning Service. However, it is not known which or how many of these applications will be granted consent and therefore where future developments may be located, although broad areas where there are clusters of current applications have been identified and are taken into account in this assessment. However, it is not the role of this SEA to assess these projects individually. Based on the current level of development (existing operational and consented) in Northern Ireland and the characteristics of onshore wind farms discussed above the following provides a broad overview of the likely level of development that would be required in terms of MW and equivalent numbers of wind farms to achieve the generation scenarios presented in Table 8.1 above. Table 8.2: Onshore Wind Development Requirements
Amount of additional MW in Approx number of wind Generation Scenario operation to achieve generation farms (based on 15MW to Scenarios scenario 20MW developments)
Existing Operational* 362.7MW - -
Low 800MW to 1000MW Additional 437.3 MW to 637.3 MW 20 to 40
High 1000MW to 1200MW Additional 624 MW to 837.3 MW 40 to 50 *As of September 2011 (Source: NIE). A further 537.9MW has been consented.
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8.3.2 Generation Scenarios for Biomass
The assessment is based on the following assumptions with regard to the general characteristics of potential future biomass plant developments in Northern Ireland: Size of development: Small (approximately 1MW to 10MW); Medium (approx. 30MW to 50MW) and Large (approx. 100MW) Fuel sources: Grown crops, forestry, waste and sewage, and landfill gas.
From the various biomass strands there is approximately 7.5MW of biomass electricity generated in Northern Ireland. This is from the 2.5MW Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant at the Balcas in Fermanagh (which burns wood pellets) and 5MW generated from landfill gas at the Drumcru Street site in Belfast. There are small scale generators, however there is very little information about the amount of energy they produce and the regularity of production. Table 8.3 below sets out the levels (MW) of development and equivalent numbers of plants required to achieve the generation scenarios set out in the OREAP. Table 8.3: Biomass Development Scenarios
Generation Scenarios Possible number of biomass plants equivalent Low Could be achieved with 1 to 3 medium scale plants (30MW to 50MW) or one large 30MW to 100MW Range scale plant (100MW). Smaller scale plants will also contribute. High Could be achieved with 1 to 3 large scale plants, or 5 to 6 medium to small scale 100MW to 300MW Range plants. Smaller scale plants will also contribute. Consultation with DARD confirms that current DARD renewable energy policy does not advocate taking crops out of mainstream food production to support an energy market (DARD, 2011 , pers. Comm. ). It is considered that the opportunity to switch from food to fuel production utilising those crops is not so available in NI. For proposed large scale biomass projects there would not currently be sufficient indigenous biomass supply and imported material would be necessary. The opportunity for the farming community is mainly in the production of electricity from AD technology and the utilisation of manures/slurries and grass silage. It is assumed for the purpose of this SEA that medium and large scale biomass plants would rely primarily on imported fuel (e.g. wood fuel from Canada or Norway). 8.3.3 Generation Scenarios for ‘Other’ Renewable Energy Technologies
The assessment is based on the following characteristics of other renewable energy technologies. Table 8.4: Other Renewable Energy Developments Generation
Technology Scale of Projects Possible Generation Scenario 2KW to 850KW turbines ranging from wall Approximately 600 small scale applications in the planning system. Small Scale mounted turbines to Potential for over 150MW. Wind larger individual turbines (60m to 90M in height) 7.5KW to 800KW Contribution of hydro has been identified as being approximately Hydroelectric schemes 10MW. 1KW to 60KW panels Photovoltaics Potential for 10 MW by 2020. (average is around 5KW). Limited information on Geothermal size as technology still Unknown level of future development. being developed.
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8.4 Electricity Grid Network
The Northern Ireland grid infrastructure is able to accommodate approximately a further 400MW of wind energy capacity with minimal reinforcements. Taking this into account it is recognised that in order to accommodate increased levels of renewable energy generation there will be a requirement for additional grid reinforcements or strengthening. The electricity network owner (NIE) in conjunction with the System Operator (SONI) has made significant progress in the last few years in developing programmes for grid strengthening and reinforcements to allow Northern Ireland to meet its targets for 2012 and beyond. The Utility Regulator is responsible for Price Control through RP5 and must agree grid strengthening proposals before they can go ahead. These programmes include the All Island Grid Study, Network 25 and the current Renewables Integration Development Project (RIDP) study which is being undertaken jointly by NIE and Eirgrid (Ireland) to look at the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of options for providing transmission reinforcements across North West of the island of Ireland including Northern Ireland. In particular this study is looking at options for improving access to the grid for consented and proposed onshore wind farm developments located across Co. Tyrone and Co. Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Although there is work being undertaken to plan for grid connections for onshore wind developments across the North West of Northern Ireland, there is still likely to be a requirement to provide reinforcements or upgrades to enable some development to occur in other areas e.g. around Co. Antrim and in the southwest. Strategies are also required to ensure that offshore renewable energy generation, when onstream can be connected into the grid to enable these technologies to contribute to the 2020 target. All grid development is subject to approval by the Utility Regulator.
8.5 Focus and Limitations of the Cumulative Assessment
The main focus for this part of the assessment is to examine the cumulative effects associated with developing different renewable energy technologies at different levels (installed capacities (MW)) across Northern Ireland. The aim of this is to identify the extent to which different levels of development could be accommodated in different locations or areas across Northern Ireland. However, there are a number of significant limitations to this assessment. These include: Limited spatial data and a lack of information on where individual developments will be located in the future: Although there are known areas of existing development (consented and operational) likely future areas of development are uncertain as these depend on a number of factors including the availability of suitable resources and available land. For onshore wind, it is possible to identify potential broad areas for future development based on known distribution of wind resources across Northern Ireland. For other technologies such as biomass, small scale wind, and solar, existing planning applications give an indication of location but there remains a high degree of uncertainty over where development would occur, particularly for the high range development scenarios. In terms of hydroelectric schemes, there have been a number of studies already undertaken in Northern Ireland which identify a few possible locations where schemes could be developed although the detail and specific location of these schemes is still to be determined. Limited design detail for the different technologies: Although there is information available on each of the technologies in terms of general operating parameters and resource requirements there is limited information on likely scale and size of future developments (MW) or specific technological design features e.g. layout, fuel types/sources, plant, and electrical generating equipment/mechanisms. These limitations in information affect the level of detail to which each of the technologies can be assessed at the strategic level and in terms of identifying potential cumulative effects. Potential effects on some SEA topics are very project and site specific: A number of potential effects on certain SEA topics are very site and project specific and are influenced at a local level by a number of factors including proximity of the proposed development to sensitive receptors., Specific characteristics of individual developments and the range and type of mitigation measures implemented during construction or integrated into the design of a scheme e.g. to reduce emissions to air will need to be assessed at project level. For such SEA topics, it is not possible to make a conclusive assessment of overall potential cumulative effects where the likely location of individual developments is unknown.
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8.5.1 SEA Topics: Strategic or Project Level Assessment
Table 8.5 below identifies, for each of the technology areas assessed as part of the generation scenarios, those that can be assessed at a strategic level (cumulative assessment) and those that require more detailed assessment at a project or site specific level depending on the nature/type and location of the development. However, it should be noted that all SEA topic areas have been taken into account as part of this assessment as potential effects on these topics will still need to be assessed for any development taken forward under the OREAP.
Table 8.5: Strategic and Project Specific Assessment SEA Directive Important Factors Onshore Wind Biomass Other Renewable Topics Designated landscapes (AONBs) Landscape Character Strategic and project/ Project and site Strategic and project/ Landscape Areas (LCAs) site specific specific site specific World Heritage Sites (WHS) Biodiversity Strategic and Strategic and Strategic and project/ Flora and Protected sites and species project/site specific project/site specific site specific Fauna Archaeological remains, Archaeology sites and features. Historic and Built Project and site Project and site Project and site parks and gardens, Historic specific specific specific Conservation Areas and Environment Listed Buildings. Water quality and water Project and site Project and site Project and site Water resources and flood risk. specific specific specific Soil quality, peatlands, Strategic (peatlands Soils and Strategic and Project and site agricultural land, protected and agricultural land) geology project/site specific geological sites. and project Recreation and tourism, Population Strategic (recreation noise, waste, air quality, Strategic and Project and site and Human and tourism) and traffic and transport, EMF project/site specific Health project/ site specific and shadow flicker Telecommunications and radio communications, Strategic (land use) Material Project and site Project and site agricultural land, mineral and project/ site Assets specific specific and aggregate extraction specific and residential properties. Contribution to combating Climatic Strategic and project/ Strategic and Strategic and project/ climate change and CO Factors 2 site specific project/ site specific site specific emissions.
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8.6 Summary of Conclusions from the Assessment
The following provides a summary of the key conclusions from the assessment of the generation scenarios presented in Tables 8.6 to 8.8. These are based on a SEA topic by topic basis for each of the renewable energy technologies (onshore wind, biomass and ‘other’ renewable energy technologies including hydroelectric, geothermal, small scale wind and photovoltaics). These conclusions relate mainly to the key SEA topic areas where there is potential for strategic and cumulative effects associated with the different levels of development as proposed in the potential generation scenarios.
8.6.1 Onshore Wind
8.6.1.1 Landscape
Given the particular of importance of landscape effects a separate analysis has been undertaken to assess strategic level effects and is included in Appendix E. This section provides a summary of the results. As development increases there is an increased potential for significant effects in respect to landscape character and visual amenity. These effects are likely to be more significant in areas that are classed as being highly sensitive to wind developments and areas that are designated for their scenic and natural beauty such as AONBs. GLVIA acknowledges a relationship between the perception of landscape character and the experience of viewers or receptors. Although procedurally linked, they are separate and distinct assessments. Given the strategic nature of this assessment it has been considered that it is not possible to assess potential visual effects at a national level as changes to visual amenity are a direct response to individual developments from identified sensitive receptor locations. At a strategic level it is not possible to identify receptors (number or type) with any level of certainty and consequently visual effects associated with onshore renewable development(s) at a national level have not been considered as part of this SEA. The assessment of landscape effects is based on six broad ‘distinctive landscapes’ as described in the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment 2000 main report. Summarised descriptions of the six broad ‘distinctive landscapes’ namely the Antrim Plateau; the North West; Fermanagh; Lough Neagh Basin; the Mournes and South Armagh; and Down, are provided in the landscape baseline (Appendix E). Sensitivity ratings found within the six broad ‘distinctive landscapes’ are based on 'Wind Energy Development in Northern Ireland's Landscapes - Supplementary Planning Guidance to PPS 18', as stated within130 individual landscape character areas across Northern Ireland. If wind farm development continues where currently planned (generation scenarios 2a and 3a), the Antrim Plateau, the North West, Fermanagh and Lough Neagh Basin distinctive landscapes are likely to have areas significantly affected in all generation scenarios. Where wind farm development spreads into areas where it is not currently planned (generation scenario 2b and 3b), all of the distinctive landscapes are likely to have areas significantly affected in all generation scenarios. The percentage of area significantly affected would be greater for the Antrim Plateau, North West and Fermanagh ‘distinctive landscapes’. The percentage of strategic areas significantly affected would increase in line with increases in Mega Wattage as per the generation scenarios. Generation scenarios ‘a’ are likely to show larger increases of MW’s in those areas where wind energy development is currently planned and concentrate the potential significant strategic effects to those parts of Northern Ireland already affected by onshore wind development. Generation scenarios ‘b’ would result in less concentrated percentages of significant strategic effects within each ‘distinctive landscape’ but would likely bring potential significant localised effects to areas previously unaffected by wind development. The distribution of consented or under construction wind farm developments in Northern Ireland has been incorporated within the calculation of percentage area likely to be significantly affected. Because some of the locations of consented or under construction wind farm developments are closely clustered to operational developments the area likely to be significantly affected for clustered locations is disproportionally less than the increase in mega wattage although effects to landscape character would intensify.
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Figure B1 and the calculations within Appendix E shows that the North West ‘distinctive landscape’ would experience a substantial amount of clustering if the consented and under construction wind farms become operational. The clustered wind development within the North West, therefore, is likely to show an intensification of likely significant landscape effects leading to a more substantial degree of significant effect within the localised area. Future wind development (generation scenarios 2 & 3) has the potential to bring significant localised effects to areas previously unaffected by wind development and also has the potential to spread development to areas of higher landscape sensitivity or to areas designated for scenic quality. Whilst some ‘distinctive landscape’ areas may remain relatively unaffected, if development continues in a similar pattern, other areas such as the North West are likely to experience an intensification of significant effects and collectively development is likely to be at odds strategically with the scale, form and pattern of landscape. The results from the assessment conclude that in order to manage or limit potential adverse effects on landscape character at a strategic level, the preferred option would be to allow onshore wind developments to continue, to a certain level, as clusters in the current areas of development, before encroaching into new areas where there is either very little or no existing onshore wind development. This would help to contain onshore wind developments in current areas which are already affected by wind energy development rather than encouraging a scattering of developments across all of Northern Ireland and potentially into more sensitive landscapes such as the Mourne & South Armagh and Down ‘distinctive landscapes’ or within designated landscapes. However, the assessment has identified that although there is capacity for additional onshore wind developments to be located in the current areas of development, there is potential that localised significant landscape effects would intensify around the clustered development and that significant adverse cumulative effects will start to occur once development has reached a certain level in these locations. The strategic level assessment is unable to conclude the exact amount (MW) of additional development that could be accommodated within the current locations (e.g. across the North West ‘distinctive landscape’). In order to determine with more certainty how much more development beyond the low generation scenario could be accommodated in these current locations before significant adverse cumulative effects start to occur, more detailed, regional level capacity studies would be required. The aim of the capacity studies would be to determine how much more development (beyond that already operating and consented) could be accommodated in both existing areas of development and other locations in Northern Ireland. The studies may identify that whilst it is possible to achieve the low level generation scenario (800MW to 1000MW) with development focused in current locations, significant adverse cumulative effects may start to occur as development increases towards the high level scenario (1000MW to 1200MW). Taking this into account there may be a requirement to identify alternative areas for development (e.g. new areas) where a small amount of development e.g. (200MW to 400MW) could be accommodated in order to reduce pressure on landscapes areas already affected by wind energy development.
8.6.1.2 Biodiversity
Given the particular of importance of effects on biodiversity a separate analysis has been undertaken to assess strategic level effects and is included in Appendix D. This section provides a summary of the results.
There are a number of potential adverse effects on ecology. Most of these effects are project and site specific and depend on the types of habitats present and species present in a certain area. However, there are a number of key strategic level effects relating to birds, bats and peatland/bog habitats. The main sites for potential impacts on birds include the Antrim Hills SPA and Slieve Beagh Mullaghfad Lisnaskea SPA, designated for Hen Harriers and Merlin. There is a potential for wind farm construction, and operation both in the vicinity of SPAs and in the wider countryside, to adversely affect the distribution of these species of European Conservation Concern as a result of displacement of breeding birds from their restricted breeding ranges (O’Donoghue et al 2011). There is therefore a potential for these species to be adversely affected at a national population scale. There are also a number of sites designated for wintering geese and Whooper Swans – all of which could potentially be at risk from collision. Sites designated for wintering or breeding waterfowl mostly relate to large water bodies e.g. Lough Neagh, Belfast Lough, Carlingford Lough
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and Lough Foyle, and there is potential that birds migrating or commuting over land to these sites could be at risk from collision with wind turbines. As well as birds of Northern Ireland provenance, there is a potential for those of transboundary provenance, including eagle species, to be at risk from collision. In terms of the potential effects of the two scenarios (cluster development in existing locations or disperse development into new areas as described above), there is a risk that the clustering of developments in some locations could increase the risk of collision for certain species, especially where the developments are located on or near to migration corridors. For species that use avoidance measures to minimise the risk of collision, a large number of developments in an area could present a barrier to movement as alternative routes around wind farm developments become increasingly extended. Dispersing development into new areas may reduce the overall level of development that occurs in any one location, and the associated potential cumulative effects at any particular location. However, there is generally a higher number of sites (SPAs) designated for migratory and wintering birds in these potentially ‘new’ areas. Therefore, although local cumulative effects in certain locations may be reduced, there is potential that a larger number of sites/migration routes for certain bird species associated with these sites could be affected at a Northern Ireland scale. The distribution of bats across Northern Ireland is imperfectly known, and the use that they make of the habitats that are frequent within areas that are preferentially used for wind farm development is also imperfectly known. However, it is becoming clear that bats occur in many upland areas, particularly during late summer/autumn. Interactions between bats and turbines are complex, but present a potential for significant impacts on the local distributions of these species of European Conservation Concern. It is likely that the potential for bat mortality depends to an unknown extent on the proximity of favoured foraging habitats or flight lines, but some species are capable of foraging in open habitats at substantial heights. This is particularly the case with Leisler’s bat, a species for which Ireland supports a population of international conservation importance (Battersby 2005). There is also evidence from North America and continental Europe that migrating bats are particularly vulnerable to the siting of windfarms in the path of known migration routes, although it is not currently known to what extend Irish bats migrate. There remains the potential that bats migrate within the island of Ireland between breeding sites and winter hiburnacula, as well as to autumn swarming sites. It is therefore likely that bat mortality may also depend to an unknown extent on the proximity of wind farms to these potential migration routes. There are also a number of SAC sites designated for bog habitat including Slieve Beagh Mullaghfad Lisnaskea and Pettigoe Plateau located in and to the west of Northern Ireland. The assessment has also identified that there is potential for development in areas of moorland/peatland to have adverse effects on blanket bog habitats, either directly (habitat loss/disturbance) or as a result of changes to the hydrological regime elsewhere affecting the structure and function of adjacent bog habitats. In terms of the likely effects on biodiversity where development continues to follow the current pattern of development, this could potentially lead to cumulative effects on these habitats/areas especially where there are a number of developments concentrated in one area. The significance of these cumulative effects will depend on the current ecological status of the affected habitats and the species that they support. With detailed site selection studies and ecological surveys at the project stage the overall significance of these effects could be reduced or avoided.
8.6.1.3 Recreation and tourism
The assessment has identified that, in terms of strategic effects there is potential that development within or adjacent to AONBs could have a significant effect on the character, scenic beauty and overall intrinsic value of these sites but there is no evidence that this would result in adverse effects on recreational/tourism land uses at a strategic level. The assessment concluded that whilst there is potential for significant cumulative effects on some of the AONBs located to the west of Northern Ireland on the basis that there are already developments in these area, the overall effects would potentially be less significant than dispersing development over a wider geographical area and therefore increasing the potential risk for having cumulative effects on a larger number of AONBs. At present, continuing with the current pattern of development would help to reduce/avoid adverse effects on the Giant’s Causeway WHS as it would encourage development to be located in areas away from this site. There is a risk that dispersing development over a wider area could increase the amount of development to the north of Northern Ireland, increasing the potential risk for adverse effects on the WHS.
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As with the AONBs, continuing with the current pattern of development would help to contain effects to one or a few areas where onshore wind farm developments are already present, rather than dispersing development across a larger number of areas throughout Northern Ireland. This would help to preserve the natural beauty and scenic value of some areas which are considered to be of high value in terms of walking and other recreational activities which focus on visiting areas of high natural importance, value and quality where there is limited development, including onshore wind development.
8.6.1.4 Land use
The amount of land used, and disruption existing to land use activities is limited for all scenarios and effects on land use at a strategic level is considered to insignificant (see also Other SEA topics below).
8.6.1.5 Other SEA Topics
With regard to onshore wind developments most other effects are site and project specific and would depend on where a specific development was located. Most effects relate to the construction of a wind farm and include the following: Noise – temporary effects on noise levels associated with vegetation removal, ground disturbance, excavation of foundations, operation of construction equipment and machinery, construction of access routes and the transportation of wind turbines to the site. Disturbance, damage and loss of archaeological remains from vegetation removal, ground disturbance, excavation of foundations and construction of access routes. These effects would be permanent. Disturbance or damage of geological sites and features - from ground disturbance, excavation of foundations and construction of access routes. These effects are likely to range from temporary to permanent depending on the extent of disturbance/damage and the characteristics/features of the site. Effects on water quality – temporary effects on water quality from increased release of sediment during vegetation removal, ground disturbance, excavation of turbine foundations, construction of access routes and potential accidental release of contaminants and pollutants from construction equipment and machinery e.g. fuels, oils, lubricants and other chemicals. Effects on traffic and transport – transportation of turbine parts on large HGV’s could lead to congestion on local road networks especially in rural areas where roads are likely to be small and narrow. The transportation of turbine parts may also cause temporary disturbance on local residential areas/villages due to noise, disruption to traffic flow and vehicle emissions. Climatic factors - wind energy is a zero-emission process, which will achieve significant beneficial climate change impacts during the operational phase.
Effects on properties from shadow flicker and effects on telecommunications will depend in the location and scale of wind farm developments and their proximity to sensitive receptors. However, the assessment does identify that effects will be project/location specific. Where a number of developments are clustered in one area, this could lead to cumulative effects on TV and radio communications due to wider scale disruption of these links caused by the movement of a turbine blades intercepting or interfering with a signal.
8.6.1.6 Onshore Wind Farm Conclusions
The assessment concludes that while there is the likelihood for adverse effects as noted above the overall additional levels of development required to reach the upper level generation scenario of 1200MW (additional 837.3 MW) could potentially be achieved within Northern Ireland with appropriate mitigation. However, it is likely that, as pressure for more development increases, further work would be required to establish the capacity with the existing areas of development to accommodate more development and to evaluate new locations in more detail to determine whether
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there is an option for some/a proportion of the new development to be accommodated elsewhere. This would help to reduce potential cumulative effects in current areas of development, whilst ensuring any expansion of development into new locations is managed to ensure the most sensitive areas are avoided and potential cumulative effects across Northern Ireland are minimised. Wind energy generation is a zero-emission process, which can achieve significant beneficial climate change impacts during the operational phase.
8.6.2 Biomass
8.6.2.1 Landscape
The amount of fuel required for individual biomass plants is also unknown. Depending on the fuel sources for the biomass plants, if this comprises locally grown crops, rather than for example imported wood or other fuels, this could require large areas of agricultural land to be given over to the production of biomass crops. However, it is assumed that biomass would be imported rather than grown locally and therefore there would not be significant effects on landscape resulting from crop production.
8.6.2.2 Effects on biodiversity
Potential effects on biodiversity are likely to be both strategic and project specific. In terms of strategic effects, there is potential that, depending on the type of biomass crops grown and the methods of cultivation of those crops that this could have an adverse effect on biodiversity in terms of altering habitat types and modifying the types and diversity of species and habitats present in an area. However, there is potential that the production of biomass crops could have a positive effects on biodiversity if the cultivation of biomass crops, especially where crops are mixed with other feedstock crops such as grass and maize uses less intensive cultivation methods and involves less pesticide and fertilizer. The provision of more diverse habitats and resumption of coppice management for biomass production have the potential to provide breeding and foraging habitats for a range of birds, mammals and invertebrates. There is thus potential for a positive cumulative impact on these species group. Other effects on biodiversity are likely to be site and project specific and are likely to involve habitat loss and disturbance or species disturbance/displacement in the immediate development site and surrounding area. There is potential for adverse effects on some habitats that are sensitive to emissions from biomass plants such as nitrates, sulphates and particulates. The emissions from biomass plants vary according to the fuel source. Nutrient and acid deposition from wood fuels in particular could have adverse effect on bog and fen sites. The potential for emissions from biomass plants to have adverse effects on sensitive habitats depends on proximity of the development to a sensitive habitat, prevailing wind directions and stack heights.
8.6.2.3 Effects on traffic and transport, air quality and local noise levels
Where biomass plants aren’t located near the main fuel source or other key transport links for imported fuels e.g. ports, the movement of biomass fuels on local road networks could have significant effects on local communities and populations in terms of congestion, disturbance, reduced air quality from vehicle exhaust emissions and increased noise levels. The overall significance of these effects would depend on the distance from the fuel source to the biomass plants, whether the transport route is on local roads or main roads e.g. motorways/dual carriageway, the amount of fuel transported on a daily basis and the proximity to the transport route to sensitive receptors (e.g. residential properties).
8.6.2.4 Effects on water quality
The likely significance of these effects would depend on the amount of biomass crops produced and the location of the crops within the wider catchment. However, it is assumed that biomass would be largely imported and effects on water
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quality and resources would only relate to the project specific effects associated with the construction and operation of the plant.
8.6.2.5 Other potential effects associated with biomass developments.
As discussed above, most effects associated with biomass plants are site and project specific. In the event that there are a number of biomass plants clustered in the same location there could be cumulative effects on landscape character and visual amenity and traffic and transport although these effects are unlikely to be significant unless the developments are sited adjacent to each other or very close proximity to each other. Construction activities including vegetation removal, ground disturbance, ground excavations for building foundations, construction of access roads and building structures, transportation of materials and construction workers to and from site and the presence of construction equipment could have a number of temporary effects on noise levels, local air quality (dust and emissions), landscape character and visual amenity, soils and geology, water quality and biodiversity. Construction activities may also have permanent effects in terms of habitat loss or the loss/damage or disturbance of geological sites and archaeological remains. All sites would need to be assessed accordingly prior to development.
8.6.2.6 Biomass Conclusions
Given the assumption that biomass would be imported rather than grown locally, environmental effects will be largely project specific. However, the importation of biomass would result in cumulative effects associated with transport (shipping) of materials (typically from other parts of Europe and Canada) i.e. fuel consumption and resultant GHG emissions. However, these effects can be mitigated by ensuring that the biomass is from a sustainable source that does not displace food-crops or long-term carbon sinks, such as primary forest, so the net carbon balance of process is neutral. There is potential that the development of a larger number of smaller biomass plants e.g. more than 10 small plants could have some significant cumulative environmental effects as developments may start to become clustered. These potential cumulative effects include effects on landscape character and visual amenity where developments are located in close proximity to each other; potential effects on traffic and transport (and effects local noise levels and air quality) associated with the increased transport of raw fuels in certain locations; and possible effects on biodiversity where developments are clustered increasing the potential for cumulative effects on sensitive habitats.
8.6.3 ‘Other’ Renewable Energy Technologies
As with biomass developments most of the effects associated with other renewable energy technologies (small scale wind, photovoltaics, geothermal and hydroelectric schemes) are site and project specific. There could be potential adverse cumulative effects associated with a number of large scale photovoltaic schemes (e.g. solar farms) located in one area. These mainly include effects on landscape character and visual amenity, biodiversity (due to habitat loss and disturbance and possible species disturbance and displacement) and land use (possible loss of or fragmentation of agricultural land). It has been identified that, in terms of hydroelectricity most schemes are likely to be small scale (less than 1MW). Most effects associated with these schemes are likely to be very site and project specific. However, there could be potential cumulative effects in terms of water quality, fish migration, aquatic and riverine ecology and river morphology due to change in water levels and flows where there are a large number of small schemes affecting one waterbody or river system. It has been identified that there are approximately 600 applications for small scale wind developments being considered by planning service. This equates to between 120MW and 160MW of electricity generation. A large proportion of these schemes are small turbines on domestic sites. However, there are also applications for larger turbines e.g. 500KW to
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1MW associated with developments such as hospitals, schools, industrial, business or retail units and leisure facilities. There have also been a number of applications for installation of small scale schemes (one or two turbines on farms). Whilst most of the schemes are very small scale, depending on the location and distribution of individual schemes there could be potential for these to have adverse cumulative effects on landscape character and visual amenity especially where there are a number of schemes clustered in one location or there are a large number of developments dispersed across areas that in PPS18 are considered to be sensitive to wind farm developments. There may also be effects on local residential properties in terms of shadow flicker and TV and radio communications. However, these are likely to be localised effects and small scale. There may also be some effects on biodiversity due to the removal of trees etc and possible increased risk of collision for bats and birds that are nesting, feeding or roosting in the surrounding area. Most effects associated with geothermal plants are also site and project specific. One of the main considerations with geothermal plants is the potential risk of subsidence due to the removal of geothermal fluids from reserves under the ground. More detailed geotechnical studies would be required in order to assess the potential effect on geology and bedrock. There is also potential for emissions associated with the release of gases from geothermal fluids as they cool on contact with the cool surface air. The significance of any potential effects associated with the release of these gases depends on the type and amount of gas released, prevailing wind conditions and proximity to sensitive receptors.
Table 8.6: Wind Assessment Matrix
Topic/ Receptor Description of Impact Assessment by scenario – Likely Significance Biodiversity Nature Number of protected sites in this region designated for bog and other sensitive habitats such as mire, fen, heaths and grasslands (SACs) and bird interest (SPAs). There are also a number of Low Generation Scenario Conservation important rivers designated for migratory salmon. Specific effects on habitats and species associated with these sites are discussed in more detail below. Protected Sites Low to medium adverse In terms of habitats (SACs) the main potential effects on these protected sites relate to either direct habitat loss/damage or indirect effects where activities such as vegetation removal, ground (Ramsar Sites, disturbance and excavations, construction of access roads and installation of turbines, cables and other infrastructure effect surrounding land drainage patterns, surface runoff rates and SACs, SPAs, volumes and can lead to increased release of sediment. This can affect bog habitats (changes in drainage affecting the structure and function of the habitat) and rivers (increased sediment ASSIs, NNRs, loading and nutrient levels released from disturbed ground, including bogs). MNRs, RSPB Reserves) The main effects relating to the SPAs related to the direct disturbance and possible displacement of birds during construction and operation and increased risk of collision for migratory bird species. In terms of potential cumulative effects, there is already over 900MW of wind development either operational or consented in NI. Continuing with current patterns of development could lead to developments either encroaching directly into protected sites (direct habitat loss/disturbance and species disturbance or displacement) or having indirect effects on protected sites elsewhere. These indirect effects are likely to be more significant where developments are clustered in less sensitive areas in order to avoid direct development in more sensitive locations, particularly if the areas identified for development are hydrologically linked with protected sites elsewhere. High Generation Scenario Increased levels of development in this area, and possible increased occurrence of clustering will also potentially lead to an increased risk of collision for migratory birds. This is likely to be more significant if clusters of development are located on or near to migration routes or where clusters of developments result in species having to find new longer routes in order to avoid the Low to high adverse wind farm developments.
Alternatively, dispersing development from this area in to new areas could increase pressure on protected sites in alternative areas. In comparison to other areas, although there are a large number of SAC sites designated for bog habitats and rivers (Atlantic salmon) in this area, the number of SPAs sites designated for sensitive species such as merlin and hen harrier or migratory geese, swans and other waterfowl is much less than in other areas. Dispersing development into other areas could potentially lead to greater cumulative effects on SPAs (in terms of collision risk, disturbance and displacement of birds) in these other areas. There are also a number of ASSI sites in this area designated for the protection of a range of habitats and species. Potential effects on these sites would need to be assessed in more detail at a project level.
European The following applies to all of the areas assessed. In general there are a large number of areas of important Annex I and BAP habitats present across Northern Ireland. Low protected species In terms of potential effects on habitats, these are most likely to include direct loss or disturbance resulting from construction activities such as vegetation removal, ground disturbance, earth Low to medium adverse movements, construction of access roads, installation of turbines and associated electric infrastructure including cables etc. There may also be effects on habitats where changes in drainage patterns/runoff rates and volumes affect water regimes for other sites elsewhere (mainly bogs, fens and mires etc). Changes in water flow can affect the overall structure and function of a bog habitat. The best available wind resources tend to occur in open exposed upland and lowland areas. There is a range of habitats associated with these areas including sensitive bogs (raised and blanket), mires, wet and dry heaths, fens, grasslands, a number of which are sensitive to ground disturbance and changes in drainage patterns associated with the installation of wind farms.
The main areas of wind development are currently focused around the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains (around Cookstown in the east, Omagh (Co.Tyrone) and in the northwest around Londonderry. There are also some areas of development located along the western and southern edge of the Antrim Hills in the north east. These areas of development lie between Ballymena and Coleraine and to the east of Antrim. There are also some developments in the south west to the south of Enniskillen and Lough Erne. Sensitive bog and heath habitats occur extensively throughout the North West, Antrim Plateau and Fermanagh areas, with the largest area of blanket bog in Northern Ireland (Pettigoe Plateau SAC) located in Fermanagh on the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. There is potential that continuing with current patterns of development in these areas could lead to developments either encroaching directly into areas containing more sensitive habitats (direct habitat loss/disturbance and species disturbance or displacement) or having indirect effects on sensitive habitats elsewhere due to changes in drainage patterns or hydrodynamics etc.
These effects are likely to be more significant where developments become clustered in less sensitive areas in order to avoid direct development in more sensitive locations, particularly if the areas identified for development are hydrological are linked with protected sites elsewhere. High
Additionally the large scale removal or disturbance of habitat in upland areas e.g. where clustering may occur, can change the overall structure and function of that habitat. Combined with Low to high adverse increased rates of surface water runoff this can lead to the destabilisation of large areas of bog/heath habitats which can lead to bog slides resulting in the loss of large areas of habitat. Bog and other moorland habitats are also important for supporting a number protected species/birds in particular hen harriers and and other birds. Topic/ Receptor Description of Impact Assessment by scenario – Likely Significance Although there is already a large amount of committed development in the North West there is still potential that more development could be accommodated in this area. However, there is potential that as levels of development in this area increase, there will be increased pressure on finding suitable development sites and development may start to encroach into more sensitive areas of habitat. There may also be increased occurrence of clustering in less sensitive areas. In order to reduce potential pressure in this area, there may be a need for some development to be dispersed into other areas. However, potential effects on these areas would also need to be taken into account, in particular the effects of increased developments in the Antrim Plateau area and the Fermanagh where there are a number of areas of sensitive bog and heath habitats. In terms of potential development there could also be more opportunity to accommodate some additional development in the Lough Neagh Basin in the area to the north of Lough Neagh between Ballymena and Coleraine, although effects on habitats associated with the Antrim Hills to the east would need to be taken into account. There may also be options to develop in the Down, Mourne and South Armagh areas although there is currently no development in these areas. Biodiversity: Birds Most potential effects on birds have been identified as habitat/direct disturbance during construction due to physical presence of construction equipment and human presence, noise, and other Low (Annex I) construction activities such as vegetation loss and disturbance. Other potential effects on birds include longer term displacement of species from habitats such as foraging and breeding areas and potential risk of collision with operational turbines. Low to medium adverse Collision risk has been identified as potentially affecting birds that forage in and around wind turbines or have flight patterns/mating displays that could result in birds coming into contact with rotating turbines or migratory bird species. There are a number of species of bird present in Northern Ireland that are likely to be sensitive to potential effects from onshore wind farm developments. These include a number of waterfowl and waders in particular large birds such as swans and geese which due to their size and low manoeuvrability tend to be more susceptible to potential risk of collision with wind turbine blades.
Birds of prey are also sensitive to wind farm developments, particularly where developments occupy, or are located in close proximity to, important habitats such as breeding or foraging habitats, leading to potential disturbance and longer term displacement of certain species from these areas. High
There are a number of sites (SPA and Ramsar) within Northern Ireland that have been designated for the protection of birds listed under Annex I of the Birds Directive (SPA sites) or wetlands of Low to high adverse international importance with emphasis in the UK on supporting water birds (Ramsar sites). SPA and Ramsar sites are often contiguous with each other. Other sites in Northern Ireland include National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and RSPB bird reserves designated for the protection or conservation of important national bird species. Northern Ireland also has a number of Species Action Plans (SAPs) for bird species in Northern Ireland that are not subject to protection under any site designations but warrant protection.
Overall there are 15 SPA sites in Northern Ireland. Some of these sites extend across the boundaries of regions identified for this assessment and therefore are listed more than once. There are also 4 Ramsar sites. The highest proportion of SPA sites are located along the east coast associated with the Antrim Plateau and Downs regions and in the southwest (Fermanagh).
A number of the sites on the east coast are designated for seabirds (important breeding and migratory populations) such as Sheep Island, Rathlin Island, the Outer Ards and Copeland Islands. There are also a number of sites designated for waterfowl and waders including Belfast Lough, Carlingford Lough, Larne Lough and Killough Bay. The Antrim Hills SPA, which covers a large proportion of the Antrim Hills and Plateau, is designated for breeding populations of Hen Harrier and Merlin.
Other key areas of interest with regard to birds includes the Lough Neagh SPA which is designated for Berwick and Whooper swans, Upper Lough Erne in Fermanagh which is designated for Whooper swans and Greenland white fronted geese, Pettigoe Plateau which is also designated for Greenland white fronted geese, as well as breeding golden plovers and hen harriers and Slieve Beaghmullagh SPA which is also designated for hen harriers.
At present most development is located away from these key bird sites, in particular the upland moorland hen harrier and merlin habitats. However, there is potential that increased development in existing areas could lead to development starting to encroach in towards these important habitats. This is particularly important in the south west where there is already a large amount of committed development around the Pettigoe Plateau SPA and the Slieve Beaghmullagh SPA. Increased levels of committed development in the northeast (Lough Neagh Basin and Antrim Plateau) could also lead to developments encroaching more towards the Antrim Hills SPA. In addition to bird of prey habitats, continuing with current patterns of development could also lead to increased levels of clustering in certain locations especially around the southwest and south east edges of the Sperrin Mountains (Co. Tyrone (Omagh) and Cookstown) and to the north around Londonderrry. Clustering could have significant adverse effects on a number of waterfowl/wildfowl species, especially where clusters occur on or in close proximity to key migration routes as this could significantly increase the potential risk for collision in these areas. Given the proximity of these potential areas for continued development to key sites such as Lough Neagh, Upper Lough Erne and Pettigoe Plateau, possible interference with migration routes to and from these sites would need to be assessed in more detail as levels of development in these areas increases. Similarly clustering within the northern section of the Lough Neagh Basin around Antrim, Ballymena and Coleraine in the north would also have to be taken into consideration in terms of potential effects on migration routes of Berwick and Whooper swans to and from Lough Neagh. Distributing development into new areas could potentially reduce the potential for, or the possible levels of clustering in these areas. However, potential effects on other habitats, species and receptors would need to be taken into account, especially when introducing new development into areas where there are currently no wind developments. Topic/ Receptor Description of Impact Assessment by scenario – Likely Significance Biodiversity: Northern Ireland supports a number of sensitive aquatic species including Atlantic salmon and fresh water pearl mussel, both of which are sensitive to reductions in water quality. The main Low Aquatic Species potential effects on water quality and aquatic habitats and species relate to the increased release of sediment and release of other potential pollutants/contaminants during construction from vegetation removal, ground disturbance, excavations of turbine foundations, presence and use of construction equipment and construction of access roads and associated infrastructure e.g. Low adverse installation of underground electricity cables etc. These construction activities can also have effects on drainage pattern and affect levels and rates of surface water runoff which can lead to further erosion and increased release of sediment. Disturbance of peatland/bog habitats associated with developments in upland areas can lead to changes in nutrient levels in water/runoff and can affect the chemical composition of water. This could also have adverse effects on waterbodies further downstream e.g. loughs where increased nutrient levels could lead to eutrophication. Although this is only likely to occur for small waterbodies, there is a possibility that nutrient release resulting from a number of developments clustered in upland areas could lead to eutrophication of larger water bodies. High In addition to affecting Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussels, changes in water quality can also affect other fish species which may have adverse effects on otter populations as this could affect their food sources. Low to medium adverse There are three SAC sites in Northern Ireland designated for Atlantic salmon; these include the River Roe and its tributaries, River Faughan and its tributaries and the River Foyle and its tributaries. These rivers are all located in the northern part of Northern Ireland. There is potential that increased development around the Londonderry and Coleraine/Ballymena areas could lead to increased sediment and nutrient discharges into these rivers which could have an adverse effect on the Atlantic salmon populations. However, the likelihood of these effects occurring would need to be assessed in more detail at a project level once the location of future developments and their proximity to key watercourse is known. Similarly, potential effects on other aquatic species would also have to be assessed in more detail at a project level once more detail on the location and scale of a proposed development is available.
Biodiversity: Potential effects on protected species are likely to be site and project specific depending on the presence or absence of these species in the proposed location for the development. Most Low Other Protected effects relate to habitat disturbance (due to vegetation removal and ground disturbance during construction). Depending when certain habitats are disturbed e.g. breeding, and the duration of Species (Annex II the construction period, this could lead to longer term displacement of species from an area. However, most potential effects on protected species can be avoided through surveying and Low to medium adverse and BAP) mitigation such as translocation. However, there could be potential for adverse effects on bats at a strategic level. There are a number of bat species present in Northern Ireland. Due to their mobile nature and patterns of flight, current research indicates that bats could be susceptible to fatality from collision with rotating turbines or baratrauma which is caused by changes in air pressure around rotating blades. The presence of wind farms can also lead to long term displacement from feeding habitats. There is potential that continuing with current patterns of development could lead to increased occurrence of clustering of developments in certain locations such as the North West, Fermanagh High and to the north Lough Neagh. Clustering in these locations could potentially increase the risk of collision/baratrauma for a number of bat species that may be present in these areas. However, the likely extent of these potential effects would be only be determined at a project level once more detail on a proposed scheme is available in terms of its location and surveys have been Low to high adverse carried out to determine the potential for bats to be present in the area.
Possible cumulative effects on bats from the clustering of developments could be reduced by distributing developments into new areas. However, there is still potential for bats to be affected by individual windfarms depending on their location and scale. Again project and site specific surveys would be required to determine the potential for adverse effects on bats.
Landscape If wind farm development continues where currently planned (generation scenarios 2a and 3a in Appendix E), the Antrim Plateau, the North West, Fermanagh and Lough Neagh Basin Low distinctive landscapes are likely to have areas significantly affected in all generation scenarios. Where wind farm development spreads into areas where it is not currently planned (generation scenario 2b and 3b in Appendix E), all of the distinctive landscapes are likely to have areas significantly affected in all generation scenarios. The percentage of area significantly affected would Low to high adverse be greater for the Antrim Plateau, North West and Fermanagh ‘distinctive landscapes’. More detailed summaries of strategic landscape effects of each of the broad ‘distinctive landscapes’ is discussed within Appendix E. The percentage of strategic areas significantly affected would increase in line with increases in Mega Wattage as per the generation scenarios. Generation scenarios ‘a’ are likely to show larger increases of MW’s in those areas where wind energy development is currently planned and concentrate the potential significant strategic effects to those parts of Northern Ireland already affected by onshore wind development. Generation scenarios ‘b’ would result in less concentrated percentages of significant strategic effects within each ‘distinctive landscape’ but would likely bring potential significant localised effects to areas previously unaffected by wind development. High
The distribution of consented or under construction wind farm developments in Northern Ireland has been incorporated within the calculation of percentage area likely to be significantly affected. Low to high adverse Because some of the locations of consented or under construction wind farm developments are closely clustered to operational developments the area likely to be significantly affected for clustered locations is disproportionally less than the increase in mega wattage although effects to landscape character would intensify.
Figure B1 and the calculations within Appendix E shows that the North West ‘distinctive landscape’ would experience a substantial amount of clustering if the consented and under construction wind farms become operational. The clustered wind development within the North West, therefore, is likely to show an intensification of likely significant landscape effects leading to a more substantial degree of significant effect within the localised area.
Future wind development (generation scenarios 2 & 3 in Appendix E) has the potential to bring significant localised effects to areas previously unaffected by wind development and also has the potential to spread development to areas of higher landscape sensitivity or to areas designated for scenic quality. Whilst some ‘distinctive landscape’ areas may remain relatively unaffected, if Topic/ Receptor Description of Impact Assessment by scenario – Likely Significance development continues in a similar pattern, other areas such as the North West are likely to experience an intensification of significant effects and collectively development is likely to be at odds strategically with the scale, form and pattern of landscape.
Water Quality Currently most consented and operational wind farms are located to the west of Northern Ireland, in areas either to the northwest (Londonderry), south (Tyrone and Omagh) or south east High (Cookstown) of the Sperrin Mountains. Continuation of development in these areas and possible expansion of development in the north towards Coleraine could lead to increased pressure on upland areas of peatland (raised and blanket bog). 29 of the 51 proposed SACs in Northern Ireland and one of the 12 SPAs are designated for peatland sites. A number of the main peatland Low sites/areas are located around the Sperrin Mountains and Sperrin foothills, Fermangh in the south and the Antrim Hills and Glens in the north east. There is potential that an increased concentration of development in upland, peatland areas could, in the absence of suitable mitigation, have adverse effects on water quality. These effects are most likely to be related to the disturbance/loss of peatland habitats leading to increased surface water runoff with potential increased levels of suspended sediment and nutrients (from the peat). This could affect the quality of watercourses in the area. These potential effects could be significant where they affect drinking water supplies or where watercourse support important habitats and species such the Rivers Foyle, Faughan and Roe and High their tributaries in the north which are designated as SACs for supporting Atlantic salmon. Low There is also potential that increased levels of sediment and nutrients could affect the requirements under WDF for river basins achieving Good Ecological Status (GES) or Good Ecological Potential (GEP) by 2015. This is of particular importance for rivers with current status of Poor or Moderate Ecological Potential (PEP or MEP) or Status such as the Torrent and Ballinderry Rivers around Cookstown, the Mourne and Camowen Rivers around Omagh/Tyrone and the River Bann and Ballymoney in the north.
The removal of peatland/bogs could also lead in increased rates and volumes of surface water runoff increasing the risk of flash floods further downstream.
Locating new wind farm developments in new areas would help to reduce the concentration of development in potentially sensitive areas as identified above. However, it would still be necessary for each project to be assessed on a site by site basis to determine the potential for adverse effects on nearby watercourses and water features and the potential for increasing surface water runoff rates and flood risk. Other potential effects on water quality relate to accidental release of contaminants, disturbance of contaminated sediments and pollution of groundwater and surface water from on site waste management practices etc. Most of these potential effects are very project and site specific and are generally controlled/mitigated through recognised good practice procedures and discharge consents etc. Soils
Agriculture accounts for approximately 75% of the total land use in Northern Ireland and employs 60,000 people. The agricultural industry is worth more than £1 billion per year. Low Generation Scenario
The dominant agricultural land practices include grazing and grass. Crops include potatoes, barley, wheat and oats. Other uses forms of cultivation include fruit and vegetations and forestry Low plantation. Due to the climate more vegetables are grown than fruit, although there is an area to the south of Lough Neagh in County Armagh which is noted for its apple orchards.
Most existing and consented wind farm developments are located in areas to the west and north of Northern Ireland around the foothills of the Sperrin mountains. Land uses in this area are predominately rough grazing with livestock farming on lower ground. Wind farm developments will result in a change of use from agricultural land uses to electricity generation. The cumulative effects of this are likely to be less significant where development is dispersed over a wider area, rather than concentrated in areas of existing development as this would reduce the potential for large tracts of agricultural land (rough gazing and livestock) to be lost from use. However, there is still potential for the clustering of wind farms in new locations. High Generation Scenario Agricultural Land More detailed assessments at the project level would be required to determine the overall effects in these changes in land use, taking into account the type and amount of agricultural land that would be lost and whether there would be options for agricultural land uses to be replaced elsewhere. Low
There is also potential that concentrating wind development in certain locations could also lead to an increased risk of soil erosion due to changes in land use and the vegetation removal and ground disturbance associated with the installation of turbine foundations and construction of access tracks. This could lead increased rates and volumes of surface water runoff and could affect land drainage patterns and soil structures in surrounding areas. This could affect agricultural land uses over a wider area where land is at greater risk of flooding or drying out or soil quality is reduced.
There is also potential for a number of project and site specific effects that would need to be examined in more detail at the project level. This includes the potential for the accidental release of contaminated material which could leach into surrounding areas affecting soil quality and agricultural land uses. Topic/ Receptor Description of Impact Assessment by scenario – Likely Significance In Northern Ireland, peatland covers 12% of the land area with approximately 15% being raised bog and 85% being blanket bogs. Low Generation Scenario
The largest areas of raised bog are in the lowland corridor extending from the Lough Neagh Basin north along the Bann Valley in the east. There are also small raised bogs in the valleys Low between drumlins in Counties Down, Armagh and Fermanagh. A number of these areas of peatland are protected under the Habitats Directive with 29 of the 51 proposed SACs and one of the 12 SPAs designated for peatland sites. Blanket bog areas are mainly located towards the west. In the east the largest proportion of blanket bog is found on the Antrim Plateau. As discussed with respect to water quality, there is potential for ground disturbance and vegetation removal associated with the installation of onshore wind farms to have adverse effects on the integrity, structure and function of peatland areas. These effects are likely to be more significant where development is concentrated in areas of existing development due to the potential for Peatlands High Generation Scenario cumulative effects across wider areas of peatland. Ground disturbance and vegetation removal can affect water levels within peatlands and drainage patterns. This can affect bog habitats,
mainly where areas of peat/bog dry out, and the species they support. In some locations extensive removal of vegetation or change in the structure of the peat/bog habitat can affect the stability of the soil structure. In saturated conditions this could lead to peatslides. These effects are likely to be more significant where there are a number of developments clustered in sensitive Low peat/bog areas. However, they may also occur with developments in new areas.
One of the most significant geological features in Northern Ireland is the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site (WHS) which was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Low Generation Scenario Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1986 on the basis of the following criteria: Low Site is an outstanding example representing major stages of the earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features. It contains superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
The Site occupies approximately 70ha of land and encompasses a further 160ha of sea along the North Antrim Coast within an area of a spectacular dynamic coastal landscape of Atlantic waves, rugged cliffs, unparalleled geological formations, secluded bays and magnificent views. High Generation Scenario In addition to the Giant’s Causeway WHS there are a further 35 ASSI sites designated for their geological importance and a further 32 sites which have been designated for their combined geological and biological interest. These are distributed across Northern Ireland. There are also 570 geological areas and structures which are designated as ESCR sites throughout Northern Low Ireland.
Key areas of interest with regard to geological sites, include:
Geological Sites The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark which includes a number of geological sites located around lower Lough Erne and Upper Lough Erne located in western Fermanagh; (ASSI and ESCR) Fossil rich Jurassic rocks at Portrush; and Pomeroy Co. Tyrone. There are a number of areas of geological importance that coincide with the current areas of onshore wind development around the Pomeroy area in Co.Tyrone. There are also some developments located within the Fermanagh area to the southwest of Northern Ireland. At present there has been no development along the north coast of Northern Ireland around the Giants Causeway WHS or Portrush. Most developments in the north are located inland between Ballymoney and Ballymena along the western edge of the Antrim Hills.
There is potential that continuing with development in current areas could place increased pressure on geological sites especially around the areas of Fermanagh and Pomeroy due to ground disturbance/excavations and the installation of turbines/access roads and associated infrastructure. Further work would be required at the project level to identify sensitive sites in these areas and potential effects on these sites. It is likely that with current patterns of development sensitive areas around the Giant’s Causeway WHS and Portrush on the north coast would be avoided. However, care would need to be taken when considering opportunities for developing wind farms in new areas to ensure that these sites do not become adverse effected by increased pressure to encourage development to move to new locations. Any development, either within existing areas or in new areas would also have to take into account potential geological ASSI sites and ESCR sites. It is likely that potential effects on these sites would need to be assessed on a project and site specific level where potential effects associated with ground disturbance the excavation of foundations can be assessed in more detail.
Heritage Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site is located on the most north-westerly stretch of coast of Antrim Plateau. The site, which was designated in 1986 for its Low Generation Scenario geological importance and natural beauty and aesthetic importance, comprises approximately 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns which were formed as a result on an ancient volcanic eruption World Heritage and now create a series of stepping stones that lead into the sea. The site attracts large numbers of visitors every year and is recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s most important tourist Low to high Sites attractions. At present most development is located to the west of Northern Ireland around the Donegal border (Ireland) and the Sperrin Mountains. There is some development in the north, along the Topic/ Receptor Description of Impact Assessment by scenario – Likely Significance western edge of the Antrim Hills, although concentrations of development here currently are lower than in the west and tend to be more focused in areas inland from the north coast. On this High Generation Scenario basis, continuing with current patterns of development would result in new developments being concentrated in areas away from WHS. However, there is potential that, where development is encouraged to be located in new areas that sites/areas of development could be identified closer to, or along the north coast. Developments in these areas could potentially have either direct Medium to high effects on the WHS or effects on the setting of the site, which on the basis of its aesthetic and natural scenic value would also potentially be detrimental to the area/site.
In general, potential effects on archaeology and built heritage tend to be very project and site specific as they are influenced by the siting/positioning of a development in respect to areas of Low Genera tion Scenario interest at a very local scale. However, from a strategic perspective it is necessary to identify where there are potential areas of interest that need to be taken into account when identifying locations for specific projects. There is also potential that as the levels of development increase either in current areas of development or new areas, that there will be cumulative effects Low associated with increased pressure on key archaeological and historical resources in certain areas. Archaeology and The main effects on archaeological sites/remains and built heritage include direct loss, damage or disturbance of known and unrecorded sites and features caused during ground disturbance, Historical Built the excavations of foundations, installation of access routes and supporting infrastructure. Areas of known archaeological and historical importance and value should be avoided during site High Generation Scenario Heritage selection. Trial trenching or watching briefs may also be required at a project level where it is identified that there is potential for archaeological remains/features to be present. Other effects on archaeological feature and sites and built heritage/historical sites include potential effects on the appearance and intrinsic cultural, historic and heritage value of areas/sites Low to Medium where wind farm developments are located within important sites/areas or where the presence of a wind farm affects the setting of a site, features or important archaeological/historical area.
Population and Human Health Potential long term effects of wind farm developments on recreation and tourism across Northern Ireland is, as with landscape and visual effects and biodiversity, a an important strategic Low Generation Scenario consideration, in particular with regard to potential cumulative effects over large areas. Low It has been identified that onshore wind developments could have an effect on the intrinsic recreational or amenity/aesthetic value of an area. As with landscape and visual effects, the potential effects associated with onshore wind developments tend to be subjective depending on the personal opinion of the receptor. Development is currently mainly focused to the north and west of Northern Ireland around the Londonderry in the north and the border with Donegal in west. Most development lies around the western, southern and northern edges of the Sperrin AONB. High Generation Scenario There is also some development further south around Fermanagh and further north along the western edge of the Antrim Hills AONB. Recreation and Low to medium Tourist Sites and As development increases in these areas there may also be a need to upgrade or provide new electrical infrastructure to support increased levels of development. This could further affect the Attractions appearance and amenity value of these areas. However, clustering windfarms in existing development areas the cumulative effects on recreational and tourism biodiversity resources would potentially be avoided or reduced.
In comparison, dispersed development may result in a greater cumulative impact across Northern Ireland, if windfarms are not sited appropriately.
There would also be cumulative effects associated with grid connections, however in the cases where new windfarm developments take place, consolidation of grid connections and the existing wirescape may minimise the cumulative impacts associated with grid connections.
The effects on walking/cycling routes would be limited to the effects of siting of development in relation to the continuity of the resource. From a strategic perspective, there are very few Low Generation Scenario nationally designated walking/cycling routes and therefore effective siting would minimise the effects of windfarms on regionally important walking/cycling routes. Low Effects of windfarm developments on locally important routes would be assessed at the site specific level. Walking/Cycling Routes High Generation Scenario
Low
Low Generation Scenario The main sources of noise from onshore wind developments relate to construction activities, construction traffic, operation of the wind farm (turning blades) and electrical infrastructure e.g.
Noise and substations. Vibration Low Most potential effects associated with noise and vibrations are localised and project specific. The likely significance of any effect is dependent on a number of site and project specific factors Topic/ Receptor Description of Impact Assessment by scenario – Likely Significance such as the location of the wind farm and main access routes in proximity to sensitive receptors, hours of operation during construction, mitigation measures implemented for individual projects High Generation Scenario such as modifying the layout of the wind farm to reduce noise levels and the proximity of supporting electrical infrastructure in relation to sensitive receptors. Consequently it is difficult to assess the overall potential significance of effects associated with noise and vibration at a strategic level. However, it is necessary to note as part of this Low assessment that there is potential for onshore wind farm developments either in current areas of development or in new locations to have adverse effects on local noise levels/sensitive receptors. The main potential effects on air quality are associated with emissions of dust during construction/excavation of turbine foundations (due to ground disturbance, earth movements and vegetation Low Generation Scenario removal) and vehicle emissions (NOx, SOx and PM10). There are no emissions to air from operational wind farms. Low As with potential noise effects, effects on local air quality are project and site specific. The significance of any potential effects depends on the proximity of the development to sensitive Air Quality receptors, mitigation measures used on site to reduce the potential for dust to be generated during construction, number and type of vehicle movements to be generated during construction and proximity of main access routes to sensitive receptors. High Generation Scenario
Consequently it is difficult to assess the overall potential significance of effects associated with air quality at a strategic level. However, it is necessary to note as part of this assessment that the potential effects of construction activities on local air quality would still need to be assessed/taken into account at a project level. Low Low Generation Scenario
The potential effects associated with waste are very project and site specific. Where there is a requirement to remove waste materials from site, appropriate waste management procedures Low Waste would have to be implemented. There is potential that the removal of waste materials from a site could lead to increased levels of vehicle movements (HGV) and associated potential effects of these on local air quality and noise levels. However, these are very project specific and therefore not possible to evaluate at a strategic level. High Generation Scenario
Low Low Gen eration Scenario Most effects on traffic and transport are likely to be generated during the construction of a wind farm as once the development is operational there are very limited requirements for vehicle movements associated with maintenance/site works. Low The main effects that are likely to occur include possible congestion, increased noise levels and effects on local air quality on local roads associated with the transportation of wind turbine parts on large, slow moving HGVs and construction worker traffic. There may also be requirement for the movement of waste materials off site. Most effects will be localised and will be constrained to the local road network. High Generation Scenario Traffic and The significance of the effects depends on the proximity of the development to the main road network. For example, developments in remote areas are likely to have more significant effects on Transport the local road network, especially where existing access is very restricted, routes pass through a number of small, narrow villages compared to larger towns where the road network can Low generally accommodate larger vehicles and slight increases in local traffic.
In terms of continuing with the existing pattern of development, there is potential that, although most traffic and transport effects will be short term and temporary, that there could be significant cumulative effects on the local road network where there are a number of developments clustered in one location/area with staggered construction periods. These effects are likely to be less significant where developments are located in new areas. However, road access to new areas could be more restricted than in the existing areas of development, potentially increasing the potential for adverse effects. The requirement to provide additional grid infrastructure may also have adverse effects in these areas, especially as this is likely to involve a large number of large heavy loads for the transportation of transformers (substations), towers and cables (on cable drums).
Low Generation Scenario Shadow flicker is a key consideration with the siting of developments and the layout of turbines. The potential for shadow flicker to occur is dependent on a number of factors including proximity to properties, orientation of the wind farm and turbines to the sun and prevailing wind direction. Low Shadow Flicker On the basis of how dependent the potential for shadow flicker to occur is on the precise siting of a wind farm it is difficult to assess the potential effects on shadow flicker at a strategic level. High Generation Scenario However, the potential for shadow flicker to occur will be a key consideration for individual projects. Low Low Generation Scenario There is a perceived risk of potential effects on human health from increased levels of exposure to electrical and magnetic fields.
Electric and magnetic fields are produced where ever electricity is used including from electrical appliances in the home. It is acknowledged that people living in closure proximity to high voltage Low power lines or associated substations could have a high level of exposure to electric and magnetic fields and that there could be a perceived health risk associated with increased levels of EMF exposure. This assessment considers the requirements for electrical infrastructure to be provided to support onshore wind developments. However it does not identify where this infrastructure would be located. In terms of assessing the potential effects of the two scenarios to either continue with the current pattern of development or for development to be located in new areas of development, it is likely that grid reinforcements or new electrical infrastructure would have to be provided in order to meet generation targets under each scenario, therefore both scenarios Topic/ Receptor Description of Impact Assessment by scenario – Likely Significance could potentially generate some EMF effects. High Generation Scenario
In terms of continuing with the current pattern of development, there is potential that this could lead to the creation of clusters of development which could be supported by a single, higher Low voltage e.g. 275kV line. In comparison, distributing development into new locations is likely to increase pressure for smaller connections e.g. 33kV or 110kV to support one or two developments. However, if development in these new areas follows in a relatively dispersed pattern, this could increase the overall number of new connections/lines that would have to be provided. In terms of the potential for EMF effects, with appropriate routeing studies at the project stage (for new grid infrastructure) it should be possible for all new routes to be located in areas where potential effects on local residents would be minimised by maximising the overall distance of new infrastructure (lines and substations) from residential properties where possible. This would apply to both scenarios. The overall potential for effects associated with EMF is ultimately dependent upon the siting of electrical infrastructure in relation to residential properties and the voltage of the line being installed. Consequently there could be a higher perceived risk of EMF effects associated with the installation of larger higher voltage lines. Although there may also be a perceived risk of cumulative effects associated with installing a larger number of lower voltage lines in areas where there is currently limited or no electrical infrastructure present.
Material Assets
Two potential effects on radar (aviation and other) and telecommunications (tv, radio, mobile phone networks and other microwave links). Effects on telecommunications are generally very Low Generation Scenario project and site specific and depend on factors such as turbine blade tip heights, number of turbines, layout and configuration of developments etc. The effects on these telecommunications links include signal distortion or disruption leading to sound interference/ghosting of pictures. Most potential effects on telecommunications would have to be assessed at more detail at the Low project level. However, there is potential that, the increased density of development in certain areas or the clustering of wind farms, depending on the range of telecommunications signals within the area, could have potential cumulative effects over a wider range of signals/microwave links.
In terms of potential effects on radar, at present there is no development within the NERL ‘Likely to Interfere’ zone around Belfast International Airport although there is some development within both of the consultation zones for Belfast International and Belfast City Airports. Most of this development is located to the north of Belfast between Ballyclare and Ballymena. There has also Radar and been some development within the consultation zone for Derry City Airport. Most development to the south appears to be located outside or on the edge of the consultation zone for High Generation Scenario electromagnetic Ennisillen/St Angelo Airport and there is also no development in the consultation zone for the Ards Aerodrome. interference Low There is potential that continued development in the current areas could lead to increased pressure on development in consultation zone, although the potential for interference with radar in these consultation zones could only be determined at a project level. There is potential that increased development in the area to the north of Belfast could lead to developments encroaching on the ‘Likely to Interfere’ zone around Belfast International Airport. Although this would have to be assessed at project level. In terms of development moving to new areas, there could be increased pressure on development along the north coast/northern parts of Northern Ireland around Coleraine. Developments in this area could potentially coincide with the NERL ‘Potential to Interfere’ zone covering this area. For most developments, the potential for any effects on aviation radar (and other radar) would have to be evaluated at a project level. The likely significance of any effects on radar would depend on a number of factors including size of the development, location, turbine blade tip heights and layout.
Most wind farms are located in exposed, undeveloped, rural locations where potential interference with the available wind resource is limited to physical topography of an area. Wind resources Low Generation Scenario tend to be greatest in exposed upland locations, although wind resources in coastal locations and on open farmland. Low Consequently the main effects in terms of land use relates to loss in productive agricultural land to wind farm developments. In upland areas, most of the areas where wind farms are located tend to be rough pasture. Farming practices in these locations are generally of a low intensity. The overall footprint of a wind farm in comparison to the overall area of land used for rough grazing tends to be small. However, this varies from farm to farm and location to location.
With regard to assessing potential effects on land use at a strategic level, there is potential that, where development continues to follow the current pattern that this could lead to the clustering of High Generation Scenario developments in upland areas. This could have significant adverse effects on land use where the combined overall amount of land take in these areas reduces the overall amount of land available for rough grazing/other agricultural land uses in these areas. However, wind farm developments in areas where there are existing wind farm developments may be more compatible Low Land Use with surrounding land uses that in areas where there are currently no wind farm developments (new areas of development).
The effect of onshore wind farms on other land uses depends on the location of individual projects and the land use in that location. In addition to wind farm developments resulting in a change in use on the development site, there is also potential for wind farms to have an influence on surrounding land uses. This is particularly important for new and existing areas of residential development where the presence of an onshore wind farm could potentially be perceived to affect the wider aesthetical value of an area/immediate surroundings. However, depending on the location of a proposed development, the effects on the surrounding area could potentially be viewed as positive where a wind farm replaces a less desirable land use. Where wind farm developments are located in new areas, there could be a need to consider effects on alternative land uses such of possible conflicts with other land uses in coastal areas/industrial areas/edge of settlements etc and how wind farm developments would influence future land uses in these alternatives. The effects of wind farms in existing areas of development and new areas of development would need to be assessed at more detail at the project level. Topic/ Receptor Description of Impact Assessment by scenario – Likely Significance Low Generation Scenario Mineral There is potential for onshore wind farm developments to either restrict access to, or sterilise future development of mineral/aggregate resources and areas that could be developed for Resource/ commercial forestry. Low Most areas of mineral and aggregate resource are very location specific. Due to the varied geology in Northern Ireland there is potential for areas of mineral or aggregate resource to coincide Aggregates and High Generation Scenario Forestry with potential areas for onshore wind development. Where sites for onshore wind development are identified, either in new areas or current areas of development, it will be necessary to carry out consultation to determine the potential for the area in terms of future extraction of mineral or aggregate resources. Most potential effects will need to be evaluated at a project specific level. Low Low Generation Scenario
The potential effects on climate are likely to be positive in terms of climate change. Although there is potential for CO2 emissions associated with the construction of a wind farm (e.g. production Medium Positive and transportation of the turbines), overall the generation of electricity from onshore wind farms will have a positive effect in terms of offsetting/reducing carbon emissions from fossil fuel
Climate generation. High Generation Scenario
High Positive
Table 8.7: Biomass Assessment Matrix
Important Factors Targets Potential Cumulative Effects Level of Assessment Description of Cumulative Effects Landscape Most effects on landscape and visual amenity are likely to be very site and project specific depending on a number of factors such a scale of the development, layout, design, appearance, height, materials used, surrounding vegetation cover and topography and proximity to sensitive receptors.
Low generation scenario Low There are a number of sensitive areas located across Northern Ireland include eight AONBs and the Giant’s Causeway WHS. Potential adverse effects on these sites and areas should be taken into account as part of Visual amenity the site section process. There are also a 130 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) each of which vary in Landscape character sensitivity to developments such as biomass plants depending on the quality of the different character areas Historic landscapes Project/site specific and the components comprising that landscape area. World Heritage Sites The effects on visual amenity depend on the number and sensitivity of the receptors present in an Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) area/affected by views of the development. Therefore on the basis that biomass developments are very project and site specific more detailed landscape and visual assessments would be required for individual High generation scenario Medium projects. The clustering or grouping of developments in specific areas within Northern Ireland are likely to give rise to significant effects and therefore should be avoided.
Biodiversity Flora and Fauna Designated Sites: Natura 2000 Sites: Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). Low generation scenario Low Ramsar sites. Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI). National Nature Reserves (NNRs). Cumulative See Table 8.7a: Biomass Assessment Biodiversity Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs). Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Reserves. Medium to high (air High generation scenario Protected Species: emissions) Habitats and Birds Directive (Annex I) BAP species. Water
There are a significant number of watercourse and waterbodies within Northern Ireland. The effects of Water resources biomass plants on water resources are very site and project specific and include soil erosion and the release of sediment and pollutants/contaminants from construction activities such as vegetation removal and ground Water Framework Directive disturbance, presence of construction equipment, transport of materials to and from site and the movement of Drinking Water Protected Areas materials on site, and the construction of the biomass plant. Nitrate Sensitive Areas Low generation scenario Low Project/site specific Bathing Waters The potential for adverse effects on watercourses and waterbodies from a biomass plant depends on a number of factors including the proximity of the development to a watercourse/body, compliance with good Freshwater Fish Directive practice constrctuction techniques, on site drainage design and discharge consents requirements etc. Taking Flood Risk this into account, even with a number of biomass plants located within a similar area, the requirement for the development to adhere to good practice and to obtain specific licenses/consents to discharge to any Important Factors Targets Potential Cumulative Effects Level of Assessment Description of Cumulative Effects waterbodies, potential cumulative effects are likely to be minimised. However, there is potential for adverse effects on water quality and water resources associated with the High generation scenario Low (crop production) potential release of nutrients and other substances in runoff from biomass crops. This form of diffuse pollution if difficult to manage.
Soils and Geology The main effects on soils and geology are associated with construction activities such as ground disturbance, increased soil erosion due to vegetation removal and exposure of bare ground, disturbance of potentially Low generation scenario Low contaminated materials, damage to geological sites during ground excavations/installation of building foundations etc. There may also be some adverse effects on soils during the operation of the plant due to possible ground pollution/contamination from the storage of materials on site or accidental release of Agricultural land contaminants from the plant and other activities e.g. movement of materials on site. Peatlands Cumulative Most effects occurring during construction and operation of a biomass plant will be very localised and site Geological sites (ASSI and ESCR) specific and will depend on a number of factors such as proximity to sensitive geological sites, site construction practices/methods, presence of potentially contaminated material on site and methods of High generation scenario Medium treatment/disposal, development design, and on site environmental management practices relating to the storage and movement of materials.
Archaeology and Historic Built Environment Effects on archaeological sites and remains, and the historic built environment, are very site specific. Most effects are likely to occur during the construction of a biomass plant and may include direct loss/damage or disturbance to archaeological and historic remains as a result of ground disturbance or the excavations of Low generation scenario Low foundations. There may also be indirect effects on sites located in the immediate vicinity of the site, either as a result of vibrations from construction activities or the transportation of heavy loads or the abstraction of groundwater from the site and surrounding area during the installation of foundations. World Heritage Sites Where known archaeological sites are present on site, these can generally be avoided by modifying the Listed buildings layout or design of a development. However, there is still potential for unrecorded sites/remains to be Conservation Areas disturbed during construction. In areas of high archaeological potential trial trenching may be required before State Care and Scheduled Monuments construction commences with a watching brief employed during the construction period to monitor the Project/site specific National Trust Properties activities in case archaeological remains are identified. Archaeology – known and unknown The physical presence of biomass plants may also have adverse effects on the setting of archaeological sites Areas of Significant Archaeological Interest High generation scenario Low to medium and features or other important sites/areas such as listed buildings and parks and gardens. These effects Parks Gardens and Demesnes would be site and project specific and would depend on the proximity of a development to a designated site of archaeological or historic importance and the overall scale, design and appearance of the development. There is also potential that the transportation of biomass fuels to site and the removal of waste products from site could have adverse effects on sites and areas of archaeological and historical importance, in particular listed buildings or Conservation Areas where the movement of large numbers of HGVs could lead to increased noise levels, vibrations emissions and effect the overall setting and character of an area.
Population and Human Health
Low generation scenario Low Effects on recreation and tourism are very site and project specific. The main effects on recreation and tourism relate to potential disturbance of recreational and tourist resources during construction (noise, Recreation and Tourism vibrations, dust and the physical presence of construction equipment) and from the physical presence of an Sites and attractions Project/site specific operational biomass plant. All of these effects can be mitigated for with appropriated mitigation. These High generation scenario Walking/cycling routes/trails etc effects are localised and the overall significance of the effects will depend on the location of the development, proximity sensitive receptors and the value of the recreational resource. Important Factors Targets Potential Cumulative Effects Level of Assessment Description of Cumulative Effects Other effects on recreation and tourism relate to the effects on areas and facilities associated with recreation Low generation scenario Recreation and Tourism Low and tourism. All effects could be mitigated for using appropriate siting and development design. Sites and attractions Cumulative Walking/cycling routes/trails etc High generation scenario Low
Population and Human Health In terms of the operation of biomass plants most effects on noise, air quality, waste, traffic and transport will be project specific and will depend on a number of factors including the proximity of the development to sensitive receptors, duration of the construction period, likely sources of emissions during construction and Low generation scenario Low Noise and vibration operation (noise, air and waste emissions), number of HGV movements required for transporting biomass fuel to site and removing waste and number of people employed at the plant/hours of operation and shift Air quality (dust and emissions) Project/site specific patterns. Most noise, air and waste emissions from operational plants will be controlled under development Waste and operating consents which would be determined on a project by project basis. Traffic and transport
High generation scenario Low
Material Assets In terms of effects on other land uses, there may be synergies between forestry and biomass if wood becomes a preferred fuel source. With regard to mineral extraction and aggregates and land take resulting from biomass, providing projects are appropriately sited, areas of valuable mineral or aggregate reserves Low generation scenario Low Land use including agricultural land should not be adversely impacted. It is therefore unlikely to lead to the sterilisation of these resources. Mineral resources / aggregate extraction and Cumulative (land use) and There could potentially be affects on residential properties where biomass plants are located near to Forestry project/site specific residential areas. However, these effects would be very site specific and project specific. Most effects on Residential properties residential properties would be avoided through the current land use planning system and development control where the effects on residential properties (e.g. amenity, noise, air quality, access) would form a High generation scenario Medium material consideration in determining an application for planning permission.
Climatic Factors
Biomass plants in general are likely to have positive effect in terms of contributing to reducing CO 2 emissions and combating climate change by offsetting the electricity produced from fossil fuel plants. However, with Low generation scenario Low to medium (positive) Contributing to combating climate change most biomass plants there will be CO 2 emissions associated with the initial construction of the plant Cumulative and project/site (production and transportation of materials/plant) and also in the operation of the biomass plant from the Offsetting carbon emissions from traditional specific fossil fuel electricity generation. production and transportation of biomass fuels. The amount of CO 2 produced would be dependent on the Medium (high positive offset amount of fuel transported, method of transport and distances travelled. High generation scenario with CO 2 production from transportation of fuels)
Table 8.7a: Biomass Assessment Biodiversity
Area Key Receptors Description of Effects
Biodiversity: Nature Conservation Sites (Ramsar Sites, SACs, SPAs, ASSIs, NNRs, MNRs, RSPB Reserves)
This region is highly designated with numerous sites (SPAs, SACs, ASSIs, NNRs etc) supporting aquatic and bog habitats which may be vulnerable to emissions (atmospheric) from biomass developments. There is a number of wetland sites which may also be vulnerable to changes in surface water and groundwater drainage patterns, water flows and spatial distribution of flow associated with ground excavations and vegetation removal during the installation of foundations for biomass Roe Estuary NNR, Ballymaclary NNR, Magilligan Point NNR and SAC, Lough Foyle Ramsar, plants. Water abstraction and discharges required for the operation of a biomass plant may also affect surface water quality and flow/levels. This SPA & RSPB Reserve, Tonnagh Beg Bog SAC, Cranny Bogs SAC, Moneygal Bog SAC, could have an effect on sensitive wetland habitats and the species they support (birds). Owenkillew River SAC, Fairy Water Bogs Ramsar & SAC, Deroran Bog SAC, Tully Bog SAC, River Foyle and Tributaries SAC, River Roe and Tributaries cSAC, Banagher Glen SAC, Teal North West There is potential that the production of biomass crops could have an adverse effect on biodiversity by altering the types of habitats and species Lough SAC, Black Bog SAC and Ramsar, Upper Ballinderry River SAC, River Faughan and present in an area. This could also have a positive effect in terms of creating more diverse habitats e.g. through coppice plantation and Tributaries SAC, Bann Estuary SAC, Carn – Glenshane Pass SAC. management etc and creating a range of breeding and foraging habitats for a range of birds, mammals and invertebrates. It is assumed that there will not be a significant increase in biomass planting from the current area, as DARD has indicated that any future expansion of biomass 85 ASSIs within County Tyrone and Londonderry. generation from this source will rely on imported feedstocks. Scale-related variability in impacts will therefore arise mainly from other potential effects associated with biomass developments, particularly release of emissions and accidental spillages. These would need to be assessed in more detail at the project stage.
The Lough Neagh Basin is a highly designated region. Lough Neagh is designated for its habitats and for supporting various bird and aquatic species (SPA, Ramsar and NNR). Further developments either on the banks of Lough Neagh or elsewhere in this region could potentially have significant effects on protected sites and species and other habitats and species due to increased emissions (atmospheric), habitat loss, Ballynahone Bog Ramsar, NNR and SAC, Rea's Wood NNR, Lough Neagh Islands NNR, Oxford accidental spillages and modifications to hydrology due to changes in runoff rates/drainage patterns. Island NNR, Brackagh Nature Reserve, Brookend NNR, Lough Neagh and Lough Beg Ramsar, Biomass crop production within the Lough Neagh basin could have adverse effects on Lough Neagh and other wetland sites where there are NNR and SPA, Slieve Beagh - Mullaghfad - Lisnaskea SPA, Portmore Lough RSPB Reserve, changes in crop irrigation/runoff rates. There may also be adverse effects on biodiversity by altering the types of habitats and species present in Lough Neagh Slieve Beagh Ramsar and SAC, Garry Bog Ramsar and SAC, Dead Island Bog SAC, Bann an area. This could also have a positive effect in terms of creating more diverse habitats e.g. thorough coppice plantation and management etc Basin Estuary SAC, Main Valley Bogs SAC, Curran Bog SAC, Rea`s Wood and Farr`s Bay SAC, and creating a range of breeding and foraging habitats for a range of birds, mammals and invertebrates. It is assumed that there will not be a Montiaghs Moss SAC, Peatlands Park SAC, Aughnadarragh Lough SAC. significant increase in biomass planting from the current area, as DARD has indicated that any future expansion of biomass generation from this 85 ASSIs within region. source will rely on imported feedstocks. Scale-related variability in impacts will therefore arise mainly from other potential effects associated with biomass developments, particularly release of emissions and accidental spillages. These would need to be assessed in more detail at the project stage.
One of the main designations in this area is the Antrim Hills SPA which covers a large section of the Antrim Hills. The site is designated for breeding populations of hen harrier and merlin and also supports large areas of blanket bog (some of which are designated as SAC). There is potential, depending on the location of a biomass plant in this, or neighbouring areas, for emissions from the plant during operation (atmospheric) Antrim Hills SPA, Belfast Lough Ramsar, SPA, Giant's Causeway NNR, Swan Island SPA and to affect the bog habitats and potentially the birds they support. The likelihood of this occurring depends on the scale of the development, type NNR, Larne Lough Ramsar, ASSI and SPA, Copeland Islands SPA and ASSI, Rathlin SPA, SAC and quantity of emissions and dispersion patterns. Antrim & RSPB Reserve (birds only), Sheep Island SPA (birds only), North Antrim Coast SAC, Breen Water abstraction and discharges required for the operation of a biomass plant may also affect surface water quality and flow/levels. This could Plateau Wood SAC, Wolf Island Bog SAC, Garron Plateau Ramsar, SAC. have an affects on sensitive wetland or coastal habitats and the species it supports (e.g. birds).
62 ASSIs within region. There is potential that the production of biomass crops to the south, west and north of the region could have an adverse effect on biodiversity by altering the types of habitats and species present in an area. This could also have a positive effect in terms of creating more diverse habitats e.g. thorough coppice plantation and management etc and creating a range of breeding and foraging habitats for a range of birds, mammals and invertebrates. Area Key Receptors Description of Effects
This region contains a number of protected nature conservation sites (SACs, SPAs, Ramsar, ASSIs etc) which are distributed across a wide area. The region is highly designated for birds, mammals, wetland and woodland habitats. Potential effects which may arise from the development of new biomass include habitat loss, release of emissions, modifications to their hydrological status and accidental spillage. Designations which The Dorn NNR, Quoile Pondage NNR, Granagh Bay NNR, Cloghy Rocks NNR, Murlough NNR support birds, mammals, woodland and bog related habitats are particularly sensitive to an increase in air pollutants and habitat and SAC, Killard NNR, Ballyquintin NNR, Killough Bay Ramsar, Killough Harbour SPA, Outer loss/fragmentation. Coastal & wetland designations may also be vulnerable to water pollution and changes in their hydrology. Ards Ramsar and SPA, Strangford Lough Ramsar, SPA, SAC, NNR & MNR, Turmennan There is potential that the production of biomass crops within this region could have an adverse effect on biodiversity by altering the types of Down Ramsar and SAC, Hollymount SAC, Lecale Fens SAC, Eastern Mournes SAC, Aughnadarragh habitats and species present in an area. However, this could also have a positive effect in terms of creating more diverse habitats e.g. thorough Lough SAC, Ballykilbeg SAC, Belfast Lough Ramsar and SPA. coppice plantation and management etc and creating a range of breeding and foraging habitats for a range of birds, mammals and invertebrates. It is assumed that there will not be a significant increase in biomass planting from the current area, as DARD has indicated that any future 43 ASSIs within region expansion of biomass generation from this source will rely on imported feedstocks. Scale-related variability in impacts will therefore arise mainly from other potential effects associated with biomass developments, particularly release of emissions and accidental spillages. These would need to be assessed in more detail at the project stage.
This are contains fewer designated sites than other regions. The majority of designations present in this area are situated on the coast. Designations which support woodland, fens, heaths, bogs & birds are vulnerable from habitat loss/fragmentation and release of emissions which may occur from operation of biomass plants. Designations which support aquatic habitats have the potential to be significantly affected by changes in hydrology as a result of water required Rostrevor Oakwood NNR, Rostrevor Wood SAC, Carlingford Lough Ramsar and SPA, for biomass coolant purposes. The Mourne Magheraveely Marl Loughs SAC, Derryleckagh Ramsar, ASSI and SAC, Slieve Gullion SAC, and South Eastern Mournes SAC. There is potential that the production of biomass crops within this region could have an adverse effect on biodiversity by altering the types of Armagh habitats and species present in an area. This could also have a positive effect in terms of creating more diverse habitats e.g. thorough coppice 25 ASSIs within region plantation and management etc and creating a range of breeding and foraging habitats for a range of birds, mammals and invertebrates. It is assumed that there will not be a significant increase in biomass planting from the current area, as DARD has indicated that any future expansion of biomass generation from this source will rely on imported feedstocks. Scale-related variability in impacts will therefore arise mainly from other potential effects associated with biomass developments, particularly release of emissions and accidental spillages. These would need to be assessed in more detail at the project stage.
This small region is highly designated, with sites scattered around the edge of the county. One existing biomass plant is situated on the south bank of Lower Lough Erne. This region contains designations which support aquatic vegetation, heaths, bogs, peats, fens and woodland habitats and a range of bird species which are vulnerable to emissions to air and water. Ross Lough Nature Reserve, Pettigoe Plateau Ramsar, SAC and SPA, Slieve Beagh - Designations which contain aquatic habitats and species are also susceptible to changes in hydrology which may occur during the operation of Mullaghfad - Lisnaskea SPA, Upper Lough Erne Ramsar, SAC and SPA, Aghatirourke RSPB biomass plants due to abstractions and possible discharges. Reserve, Lower Lough Erne RSPB Reserve, Largalinny SAC, Monawilkin SAC, Lough Melvin SAC, Fardrum & Rooky Turloughs Ramsar and SAC, West Fermanagh Scarplands SAC, There is potential that the production of biomass crops within this region could have an adverse effect on biodiversity by altering the types of Fermanagh Cladagh (Swanlinbar) River SAC, Cuilcagh Mountain Ramsar and SAC, Moninea Bog SAC, habitats and species present in an area. This could also have a positive effect in terms of creating more diverse habitats e.g. thorough coppice Magheraveely Marl Lough Ramsar and SAC. plantation and management etc and creating a range of breeding and foraging habitats for a range of birds, mammals and invertebrates. It is assumed that there will not be a significant increase in biomass planting from the current area, as DARD has indicated that any future expansion 65 ASSIs of biomass generation from this source will rely on imported feedstocks. Scale-related variability in impacts will therefore arise mainly from other potential effects associated with biomass developments, particularly release of emissions and accidental spillages. These would need to be assessed in more detail at the project stage.
Biodiversity: Habitats (Annex I and BAP) Area Key Receptors Description of Effects
Estuaries, coastal lagoons, large shallow inlets and bays, dunes with Salix repens ssp, Argentea (Salicion arenariae ), watercourses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation, species-rich Nardus grassland on siliceous substrates in North West mountain areas, active raised bogs, degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration, blanket bogs, calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation, Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines, old sessile oak woods with Ilex and blechnum in the British Isles, bog woodland.
Estuaries, mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide, coastal lagoons, large Lough Neagh shallow inlets and bays, reefs, humid dune slacks, active raised bogs, old sessile oak woods with Basin Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles, bog woodland. Potential effects on biodiversity are likely to be both strategic and project specific. In terms of strategic effects, there is potential that, depending on the type of biomass crops grown and the methods of cultivation of those crops that this could have an adverse effect on biodiversity in terms of Estuaries, mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide, coastal lagoons, large altering habitat types and modifying the types and diversity of species and habitats present in an area. However, there is potential that the shallow inlets and bays, reefs, vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts, Atlantic salt production of biomass crops could have a positive effect on biodiversity if the cultivation of biomass crops, especially where crops are mixed with meadows ( Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae ), humid dune slacks, dunes with Salix repens ssp., other feedstock crops such as grass and maize, uses less intensive cultivation methods and involves less pesticide and fertilizer. The provision of Argentea ( Salicion arenariae ), oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the more diverse habitats and resumption of coppice management for biomass production have the potential to provide breeding and foraging Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea , natural dystrophic lakes and ponds, habitats for a range of birds, mammals and invertebrates. There is thus potential for a positive cumulative impact on these species groups. Antrim Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix , species-rich Nardus grassland on siliceous However, it is assumed that there will not be a significant increase in biomass planting from the current area, as DARD has indicated that any Plateau substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in continental Europe), active raised bogs, future expansion of biomass generation from this source will rely on imported feedstocks. blanket bogs, transition mires and quaking bogs, alkaline fens, old sessile oak woods with Ilex Other effects on biodiversity are likely to be site and project specific and are likely to involve habitat loss and disturbance or species and Blechnum in the British Isles, bog woodland, alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and disturbance/displacement in the immediate development site and surrounding area. With an effective maintenance of the current area under Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae ). biomass crop production, scale-related variability in impacts will likely arise mainly from other potential effects associated with biomass developments, particularly release of emissions and accidental spillages. There is potential for adverse effects on some habitats that are sensitive to emissions from biomass plants such as nitrates, sulphates and particulates. The emissions from biomass plants vary according to the fuel source. Nutrient and acid deposition from wood fuels in particular could have adverse effect on bog and fen sites. The potential for Estuaries, mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide, coastal lagoons, large emissions from biomass plants to have adverse effects on sensitive habitats depends on proximity of the development to a sensitive habitat, shallow inlets and bays, reefs, Atlantic salt meadows ( Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae ), humid prevailing wind directions and stack heights. These are all site and project specific factors that would all need to be taken into account at a dune slacks, Atlantic decalcified fixed dunes, Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix , project level. Down European dry heaths, siliceous alpine and boreal grasslands, transition mires and quaking bogs, alkaline fens, old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles, alluvial forests Aquatic habitats such as lagoons, rivers, lakes and wetlands are also likely to be vulnerable to changes in hydrology and water pollutants. with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae ). Discharge and abstraction of water for biomass processes has the potential to have significant adverse impacts on those habitats.
The Mourne Estuaries, reefs, European dry heaths, Alpine and Boreal heaths, active raised bogs, degraded and South raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration, siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic Armagh vegetation, old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles. Area Key Receptors Description of Effects
Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea , hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp., natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation, natural dystrophic lakes and ponds, turloughs, watercourses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation, Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix, European dry heaths, Alpine and Boreal heaths, semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies: on calcareous substrates ( Festuco-Brometalia ), molinia meadows on Fermanagh calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils ( Molinion caeruleae ), active raised bogs, blanket bogs, calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae , petrifying springs with tufa formation ( Cratoneurion ), alkaline fens, calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation, siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation, limestone pavements, Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines, old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles, alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae ).
Biodiversity: Birds (Annex I) 1 SPA regularly supporting, in winter, internationally important numbers of the following 3 species: whooper swan; light-bellied brent goose and bar-tailed godwit and migratory waterfowl including red-throated diver, great crested grebe, mute swan, Bewick's swan, greylag geese, shelduck, teal, mallard, wigeon, eider, red-breasted merganser, oystercatcher, golden plover, grey plover, lapwing, knot, dunlin, curlew, redshank and greenshank. 6 NNRs supporting populations of buzzards, teal, geese, , sparrowhawks, migratory waders, North West ducks, swans, lapwings, kittiwakes, fulmars, peregrine falcon, snipe and red grouse In terms of effects on birds, there is potential that the replacement of existing habitat by high growth biomass crops may lead to localised decline Species Action Plans (SAPs) include: Goshawk, barn owl, short eared owl in vulnerable farmland bird species such as lapwing, skylark and tree sparrow. However, as noted above, there is also potential that the replacement of existing crops with biomass crops could a positive effect in terms of creating more diverse habitats e.g. thorough coppice plantation and management etc and creating a range of breeding and foraging habitats for a range of birds. It is also assumed that there will not
be a significant increase in biomass planting from the current area, as DARD has indicated that any future expansion of biomass generation from
this source will rely on imported feedstocks. There is also a significant number of wetland bird species (breeding populations and wintering) distributed across Northern Ireland. There is 1 Ramsar site, 2 SPAs, 1 RSPB Reserve, 6 Nature Reserves support populations of potential that the abstraction of water for use in biomass plants as coolant could have adverse effects on surrounding hydrology (water drainage Bewick‘s swan, whooper swan, hen harriers, merlin, curlew, warblers, and various other and distribution patterns, water flow and water levels). Discharges to water associated with the different biomass processes could also have waders, geese, ducks, divers, seabirds and red grouse adverse effects on water quality in particular where discharges contain potentially polluting substances. Both changes in water quality and SAPs include: Goshawk, , barn Owl, Short eared Owl hydrology could have adverse effects on wetland and aquatic habitats (rivers, lagoons, lakes and wetlands) and the bird species these habitats Lough Neagh
Basin support e.g. waders and waterfowl.
With an effective maintenance of the current area under biomass crop production, scale-related variability in impacts will likely arise mainly from other potential effects associated with biomass developments, Depending on the location of a biomass plant, there is potential for emissions to air (nitrates, sulphates and particulates) to have adverse effects on sensitive habitats such as bogs, marshes and fens and the bird species these support, such as merlin and hen harriers in upland areas. 7 SPAs, 3 Ramsars, 7 NNRs, 1 RSPB Reserve support populations of light bellied brent geese, redshank, shelduck, oystercatcher, purple sandpiper, dunlin, godwits, curlew, turnstone, arctic tern, roseate tern, , peregrine falcon, razorbill, guillemot, kittiwake, Antrim cormorant, golden plover, red grouse, merlin, hen harrier, sparrowhawk, buzzard, eider Plateau ducks, and several other breeding seabirds and waterfowl. SAPs include: Goshawk, barn Owl, Short eared Owl
Area Key Receptors Description of Effects
4 Ramsars, 8 NNRs, 4 SPAs support overwintering populations of light bellied brent goose, bar tailed godwit, black tailed godwit, coot, curlew, dunlin, eider, gadwall, great crested grebe, grey lag goose, greenshank, goldeneye, golden plover, lapwing, mallard, mute swan, oystercatcher, pintail, red breasted merganser, ringed plover, shelduck, shoveler, turnstone, Down wigeon, knot, redshank and populations of common tern, sandwich tern, arctic tern, ringed plover, golden plover, ringed plover, purple sandpiper, redshank, red breasted merganser, scaup, blackheaded gulls, brent geese, grey herons, stonechats and linnets SAPs include: Goshawk, barn owl, short eared owl
1NNR and 1 SPA which supports breeding populations of sandwich tern, common tern, roseate tern, and arctic tern and wintering light bellied brent goose. These sites also support The Mourne wader populations including oystercatcher, ringed plover, grey plover, dunlin, redshank and and South common snipe Armagh SAPs include: Barn owl
4 Ramsars, 3 SPAs, 7 NNRs, 2 RSPB reserves which support golden plover, hen harriers, merlin, long eared owl, kestrels, sparrowhawks, white fronted goose, great crested grebe, cormorant, whooper swan, mute swan, tufted duck, wigeon, teal, goldeneye, coot, mallard, Fermanagh dunlin, common tern, sandwich tern, lapwing, curlew, snipe, corncake, redshank, red grouse and skylarks SAPs include: Goshawk, barn owl, short eared owl
Biodiversity: Aquatic Species
This region contains highly designated watercourses which support protected aquatic species. River Foyle and its tributaries which are located in Atlantic Salmon the north of the region, supports the largest population of Salmon in Northern Ireland. Aquatic species are particularly sensitive to changes in North West Otter hydrology and water pollution. Biomass developments require water for their processes and there is the potential that water abstracted and Freshwater pearl mussel discharged during the operation of biomass plants could have significant impacts on salmon, otter and freshwater pearl mussel in adjacent watercourses.
Otter This region supports the largest lough in Northern Ireland and is designated for supporting the rare pollan fish. There is the potential that changes Lough Neagh Freshwater pearl mussel in hydrology and release of contaminants during the operation of biomass plants could significantly impact the habitat of pollan and freshwater Basin Pollan pearl mussel and contribute to their decline within Lough Neagh and neighbouring rivers. There is potential that increasing biomass capacity within this region could increase the release of air pollutants resulting in significant adverse impacts to the health of mammals such as otters.
Atlantic Salmon This region contains numerous loughs and rivers which support protected aquatic species. Protected aquatic species are vulnerable to changes in hydrology and water pollution which have the potential to occur during biomass operation. Salmon, freshwater pearl mussel and brook lamprey White Clawed Crayfish are highly sensitive to changes in water quality and there is the potential that this could contribute to their decline. There is the potential that air Fermanagh Otter pollutants generated during the burning of biomass fuels may accumulate as toxins in large mammals such as otters. One existing biomass plant Fresh water pearl mussel is located on Lower Lough Erne and there is potential that increasing capacity within this region may result in significant impacts to otter, white clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel, salmon and brook lamprey through changes in hydrology and air pollutants. Further studies should be Brook Lamprey undertaken to establish the scale of biomass developments within this region.
Down, The Mourne and No protected sites designated for aquatic speciesin these areas. However, protected aquatic South species may still be present in these areas. This would need to be taken into account at a To be assessed at a project level for these areas. Armagh and project level. the Antrim Plateau Area Key Receptors Description of Effects Biodiversity: Other Protected Species (Annex II and BAP)
Red squirrels have the potential to be present throughout Northern Ireland. Air pollutants generated from the burning of biomass fuels have the potential to accumulate as toxins in l mammals, including red squirrels. The growth of biomass fuels in particular wood could have significant adverse impacts on the habitat of red squirrels. Should woodland adjacent to biomass plants be coppiced for the provision of biomass fuels, this could result in the decline of habitat suitable for red squirrels. Smooth newt has the potential to be present throughout Northern Ireland. Biomass plants require water for their processes and there is the Red Squirrel potential that the abstraction and discharge of water may have significant effects on smooth newt and its habitat. Land take required for the Smooth Newt siting of new biomass developments and for the growth of biomass fuels has the potential to reduce foraging and wintering terrestrial habitat Badger used by smooth newts. Pine Marten Badgers have the potential to be present throughout Northern Ireland. Air pollutants generated from the burning of biomass fuels have the All Areas Irish Hare (NI BAP species) potential to accumulate as toxins in l mammals such as badgers. The cultivation of wood biomass fuels has the potential to reduce badger habitat available resulting in effects on badger populations within Northern Ireland. Bats Pine Martens are protected in Northern Ireland. Air pollutants generated from the burning of biomass fuels has the potential to accumulate as toxins in lmammals such as pine martin. The cultivation of wood biomass fuels has the potential to reduce woodland habitat which pine Further work would be required at the project level/site specific level to determine the presence marten may rely on having adverse impacts on their distribution. of other key protected species and BAP species. There is potential that the Irish hare which is listed as a priority species under the NI BAP, may experience significant impacts from the development of new areas for biomass plants. There is the potential that the loss or fragmentation of hare habitat may occur as a result of the development of new areas. The growth of biomass fuels could result in significant adverse impacts on foraging habitat available for hares within Northern Ireland. Further protected species surveys e.g. bat surveys should be undertaken alongside detailed design studies.
Table 8.8: Assessment Matrix for ‘Other’ Onshore Renewable Energy Technologies
Important Factors Levels of Development Likely Effects Description of Effects Landscape Small scale wind: Although most effects on landscape character/resource and visual amenity are likely to be localised and site specific there is potential for likely significant cumulative effects to occur as the number of small scale developments increases especially where developments are clustered in certain locations. Most small scale wind projects are likely to be associated with residential properties (wall mounted turbines) or existing developments e.g. schools, hospitals, commercial, business or retail developments or industrial properties. In order to maximise the available wind resource in certain locations larger turbines are likely to be located in ‘undeveloped areas’ of a site/development area e.g. on surrounding open land. Some turbines may also be roof mounted in more built Low Generation Scenario up, urban locations. This could have effects on surrounding landscape character/townscape and visual amenity although with most developments being small Low to Medium 30MW to 100MW scale (e.g. one or two turbines) these effects are not likely to be a major significance unless there are a large number of developments (turbines) clustered in the same location. However, at this level of assessment it is not possible to identify where this clustering is likely to occur. Further studies/assessments would
be required at the project level to determine effects on local receptors. Hydroelectric: Due to limited resource, most hydroelectric schemes taken forward in Northern Ireland will be small scale e.g. less than 1MW installed capacity. It is unlikely that these schemes would have significant adverse effects on landscape character and visual amenity due to their scale. However, there is potential that a number of small schemes located in the same watercourse or in the same catchment could give rise to significant adverse cumulative effects, although these are still likely to be localised. Visual amenity Most adverse effects are likely to occur during the construction phases due to the physical presence of construction equipment and the overall scale of Landscape character construction activities including earth movements and excavations, vegetation removal/loss, channel realignment, construction compounds and storage areas, Historic landscapes construction of structures and transportation of materials to and from site. Effects associated with operational developments include the physical presence of a World Heritage Sites hydro scheme), possible new water features (e.g. small storage reservoirs), and modified or new river channels (run of river). Depending on the opinion and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty sensitivity of the receptor operational effects may be viewed as positive or negative. (AONB) There are a number of sensitive areas located across Northern Ireland include eight AONBs and the Giant’s Causeway WHS. The clustering of a number of small schemes within a catchment located within an AONB could have adverse cumulative effects on the character and intrinsic value of an AONB. There are also a 130 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) across Northern Ireland, each of which varies in levels of sensitivity to developments such as hydroelectric High generation schemes depending on the quality of the different character areas and the components comprising that landscape area. The effects on AONBs and different scenario Landscape Character Areas would need to be assessed on a project basis. Low to Medium 100MW to 200MW Effects on visual amenity would depend on a number of factors including type and scale of the development, proximity to sensitive receptors and likely extent of intrusion on views/viewpoints. These would have to be assessed at a project level once more detail about a proposed scheme is available. Geothermal and Photovoltaics: Most effects on landscape character and visual amenity associated with these technologies are likely to be very site and project specific, in particular for geothermal developments which could be located anywhere that there is suitable resource. Small scale photovoltaic developments (e.g. solar panels on the roofs of buildings) are unlikely to have significant adverse effect on landscape character and visual amenity. However, there could be potential for cumulative effects to occur where there is a number of larger scale ‘solar farms’ in one location, particularly if these developments are located in sensitive landscape areas such as AONBs. The likely extent of these effects would depend on the number of developments, scale and location. However, at this level of assessment it is not possible to identify where this clustering is likely to occur. Further studies/ assessments would be required at the project level to determine effects of both these technologies on local receptors.
Biodiversity Flora and Fauna Designated Sites: Small scale wind: As with landscape and visual effects, most effects associated with small scale wind developments are likely to be site and project specific. Natura 2000 Sites: Special Areas of These are likely to be localised and may include effects on protected species e.g. bats due to direct effects (baratrauma) or effects on bat habitat due to the Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection removal of trees or hedgerows etc. There may also be possible increased risk of collision for birds in the surrounding area although this risk is likely to be low Areas (SPA). Low Generation due to the lower number of turbines (e.g. one or two) and smaller size of turbines (e.g. 1 to 2 MW). Ramsar sites. Scenario Low Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI). 30MW to 100MW Hydroelectric: Hydroelectric schemes have the potential to have a number of adverse effects on biodiversity, both during construction and operation. Most of National Nature Reserves (NNRs). the effects are discussed in detail in Chapter 7 of this report (generic effects). In terms of effects most will be associated with reductions in water flow and Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs). water quality (occurring during construction and operation), habitat and species loss and disturbance in particular aquatic habitats both upstream and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds downstream of any schemes, and effects on the migration of fish upstream. Where affected rivers or watercourses are hydrologically linked to designated sites (RSPB) Reserves. (SPA, SAC, Ramsar, ASSI, NNR or MNR) the effects of any changes in water quality or the condition of this watercourse needs to be taken into account in Important Factors Levels of Development Likely Effects Description of Effects Protect ed Species: term of effects on the integrity of the affected site. Where watercourses support protected species such as Atlantic salmon and fresh water pearl mussels, Habitats and Birds Directive (Annex I) effects on these species in terms of restricting migration or affecting water quality would need to be taken into account. Effects on otters also need to be taken BAP species. into account. This is of particular importance for potential developments in the northwest and Fermanagh where there are a number of rivers (River Foyle and tributaries, River Roe and tributaries and River Faughan and tributaries) which are designated for migratory Atlantic salmon. There are also a number of other rivers in Ranunculion fluitantis Callitricho-batrachion High generation this area which are designated (SACs) for plain to montane levels of and . scenario Low to Medium Geothermal: Effects associated with geothermal plants include habitat loss and disturbance during construction within the main area of development/site 100MW to 200MW boundary, and the effects of emissions (water and air) on sensitive sites or species in the surrounding area. Most of these effects will be site and location specific. Any potential significant adverse effects can be reduced or avoided with appropriate mitigation (e.g. surveys) and discharge consents/licences. Photovoltaics: Most effects of photovoltaics are also site and project specific. For small scale schemes most effects on biodiversity will be minimal, possibly limited to some local disturbance. However, for large scale schemes such as solar farms, effects could include habitat loss and disturbance and species disturbance and exclusion depending on the scale of the development. Effects could be significant where there are a number of developments located in the same area/location. However, at this level of assessment it is not possible to identify where this clustering is likely to occur. Project level assessments and surveys would still be required to assess effects.
Water Low Generation Scenario Low Small scale wind, geothermal and photovoltaics : In terms of water resources and water quality most effects from these technologies are likely to be very 30MW to 100MW Water Resources site and project specific. There is potential for increased release of sediment and accidental contamination/pollution to occur during construction as a result of
Water Framework Directive vegetation removal, ground disturbance, excavations of foundations, possible disturbance of contaminated materials/land and the accidental spillage of fuels Drinking Water Protected Areas and lubricants etc. However, most of these effects can be prevented/reduced through the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures and adhering with construction codes of practice. There is also potential for accidental discharges of pollutants to both surface water and ground water during the drilling of Nitrate Sensitive Areas High generation boreholes and wells and from the operation of geothermal plants either from the abstraction of geothermal fluids or from the use of/storage of geothermal fluids Bathing Waters scenario on site. It is likely that these effects would be reduced through specific technology design measures and incident controls/prevention mechanisms. Low Freshwater Fish Directive 100MW to 200MW There could be potential for cumulative effects where a number of developments/technologies are located in the same area, in particular during construction of Flood Risk various plants or other developments. However, at this level of assessment it is not possible to identify where this clustering is likely to occur.
Soils and Geology Small Scale Wind and Photovoltaics: Most effects associated with small scale wind developments and photovoltaics are likely to be site and project specific Low Generation and localised. A large proportion of small scale wind developments will comprise wall mounted turbines associated with residential properties. Small scale Scenario wind developments comprising individual turbines are likely to be integrated into existing developments e.g. schools, hospitals, retail, business where Low 30MW to 100MW requirements for ground disturbance are limited. Small scale photovoltaic developments are unlikely to have significant effects on soils and geology. There could be some ground disturbance associated with the installation of solar panels and supporting infrastructure including cables. This would need to be
assessed for individual projects, in particular schemes sited near important geological sites. Hydroelectric: Most effects on soils and geology will depend on the location, type and scale of the scheme and are related to soil removal and ground disturbance and possible effects on geological sites due to ground excavations (for the installation of structures or channel modifications). There may also Agricultural land longer term effects on agricultural land if a hydro scheme affects surrounding land drainage patterns (reduced or increased flow) or leads to the loss of land as Peat part of the construction of storage reservoirs. However, these schemes are only likely to be small scale therefore the amount of land directly affected is likely to Geological sites (ASSI and ESCR) be limited. The overall significance of effects on agricultural land will depend on the quality of the land affected. High generation Geothermal: There is potential that the construction and operation of geothermal plants could have adverse affects on ground stability. The drilling of scenario Low boreholes and wells could potentially cause subsidence due to the removal of geothermal fluids from underground reservoirs. Detailed geophysical surveys 100MW to 200MW would be required in potential areas of development to determine the potential for subsidence. There is also a risk that drilling activities could have adverse effects of designated geological sites, either directly or due to vibrations from drilling activities. All effects on soils and geology would have to be assessed in detail at a project level.
Important Factors Levels of Development Likely Effects Description of Effects Archaeology and Historic Built Environment All technologies: There is potential that construction activities associated with all developments e.g. ground disturbance and vegetation removal could have Low Generation Scenario potential adverse effects on buried archaeological remains and sites and built heritage. Although these effects are likely to be very site specific and localised, Low World Heritage Sites 30MW to 100MW where previously unrecorded sites or remains are destroyed, damaged or disturbed these effects are likely to be permanent in nature. The overall significance of any effects will depend on the importance of the site/remains affected and its relevance in providing information on the archaeological and historical Listed buildings Conservation Areas importance of the surrounding area. Where a development is proposed in an area of known archaeological interest/potential there may be a requirement to State Care and Scheduled Monuments carry out geophysical surveys/trial trenching prior to construction. Watching briefs may also need to be present on site to supervise conduction activities. National Trust Properties In addition to the direct loss, damage or disturbance of known and unknown archaeological sites and features, there is potential that development (all High generation Archaeology – known and unknown scenario technologies) could have adverse effects on the setting of key archaeological sites and features such as scheduled monuments, historic parks and gardens, Low to Medium listed buildings and conservation areas. Again most of these effects are likely to be very site specific and will depend on a number of factors such as type and Areas of Significant Archaeological Interest 100MW to 200MW scale of development, location, structure and appearance etc. Construction activities and the transportation materials to and from site may also have adverse Parks Gardens and Demesnes effects on the setting of certain sites, especially for example if there are a large number of HGV movements travelling through rural areas/Conservation Areas for a long duration.
Population and Human Health
Small scale wind, geothermal and photovoltaics: Effects on recreational resources are likely to be site or project specific. The impacts of construction Low Generation activity and associated operation of small scale wind, geothermal and photovoltaic would have a site specific impact on recreation and tourism resources. Scenario Low The effects of individual developments on footpaths, cycleways and bridleways would be addressed through as part of the planning process. 30MW to 100MW Hydroelectric: The effect of hydroelectric schemes on recreational and tourism resources depends on the location and scale of the schemes. It is likely that most schemes will be small scale (less than 1MW) and if appropriately sited and managed the effects on recreation sites and areas and tourist attractions are Recreation and Tourism likely to be minimal. Sites and attractions The effect of larger schemes would require additional environmental assessment and appropriate permitting to ensure the recreational value of any waterways Walking/cycling routes/trails etc impacted. High generation Construction activities associated with the development of any hydroelectric schemes would require appropriate consultation, planning and pre and post scenario Low construction monitoring. 100MW to 200MW Where hydro schemes involve the construction of storage reservoirs (small scale) these could create new visitor attractions/recreational facilities e.g. walking or picnic areas.
Population and Human Health
All technologies : Most effects on local populations and human health (noise and vibrations, air emissions including dust, waste and traffic and transport) are project and site specific and depend on a number of factors including proximity of sensitive receptors to the development and the source, type, nature and amount of emissions. Noise and vibration Low Generation Air quality (dust and emissions) Scenario The main sources of noise and vibration emissions relates to construction activities such as ground movements and excavations, vegetation removal, drilling of Low boreholes and wells (geothermal), transportation of materials to and from site, construction worker traffic. Most effects associated with noise will be Waste 30MW to 100MW constrained to site activities although there is potential that, depending on the location of the development and available access routes, the transportation of Traffic and transport materials, in particular heavy loads (large HGVs) and traffic associated with construction worker movements could have wider effects on local communities/populations located along the main access routes. These effects are likely to be more significant in rural areas where roads networks are more restricted/narrow roads and variations in noise levels will be more noticeable. Important Factors Levels of Development Likely Effects Description of Effects Operational hydroelectric and photovoltaic developments are unlikely to generate any noise/vibrations although noise may be generated from the associated electrical infrastructure. Small scale wind developments may generate some noise from the rotation of turbines. However, due to the scale of these schemes (e.g. wall mounted turbines or one or two small turbines), the levels of noise that will generated are likely to be low. There is potential for the operation of geothermal plants to generate noise. However, most of this will be associated with operational plant equipment which will be housed in the main building structures. Appropriate acoustics measures can be designed into these structures to minimise the potential for any external noise emissions. In terms of effects associated with emissions to air, during construction these are likely to include dust from construction activities such as the removal of vegetation, earth movements and excavations and vehicle emissions from the transportation of materials to and from site and construction worker traffic. Emissions to air from the operation of hydroelectric schemes, photovoltaics and small scale wind projects are likely to be minimal. There is potential for emissions from the operation of geothermal plants mainly relating to the potential release of gases from geothermal fluids as they cool during abstraction. Specific mechanisms/technologies will be required to be incorporated into the design of a geothermal plant to prevent/minimise these emissions. There are High generation scenario also likely to be emissions of water vapour from the cooling of geothermal fluids (mainly water) and other organic fluids used in the operation of geothermal Low plants. 100MW to 200MW There is potential for waste to be generated on site during construction for all technologies. Depending on the type of waste (hazardous or non-hazardous) and the quantities, waste will either have to be reused on site or treated and disposed of accordingly in licensed landfills. There may be potential for waste to be produced from geothermal plants such as in relation to sludge from the geothermal lagoon ponds. This may need to be treated and disposed of offsite. Construction activities required for all technologies are likely to generate a certain level of traffic movements. These are likely to include both HGV’s and other large vehicles required for the transportation of large pieces of plant and equipment and construction worker traffic. The effects associated with traffic and transport include general disruption and disturbance to surrounding areas, noise and vehicle emissions. These effects are likely to be more significant for large projects where the volume of traffic is higher and the duration of the construction period is longer. Effects are also likely to be more significant where developments are located in areas of restricted access leading to increased potential disturbance of smaller settlements.
Traffic and transport effects associated with the operation of all technologies will be minimal as there are no requirements for transporting materials to and from site. There may be some worker traffic associated with the operation of geothermal plants.
Material Assets Low Generation Hydroelectric and photovoltaic’s: There is potential that hydroelectric schemes and large scale photovoltaic’s schemes such as solar farms could lead to the Scenario permanent (with small storage reservoirs) or long term loss of valuable agricultural land. These effects are likely to be very location specific and will depend Low 30MW to 100MW upon the value/productivity of the land affected. Hydroelectric schemes involving small storage reservoirs may also affect access to mineral or aggregate Land use including agricultural land resources. Mineral resources / aggregate extraction and Forestry High generation Geothermal and small scale wind: Effects on land use associated with these technologies will be very site and project specific. Effects on neighbouring land Residential properties scenario uses will also need to be taken into account, including residential land uses. Low 100MW to 200MW The location of these developments is unknown at this stage. However, site specific assessments will be required for individual projects to assess in detail effects on land use.
Climatic Factors Low Generation Scenario Low Positive 30MW to 100MW All technologies : All technologies in general are likely to have positive effect in terms of contributing to reducing CO 2 emissions and combating climate change Contributing to combating climate change by offsetting the electricity produced from fossil fuel plants. However, with most developments there will be CO 2 emissions associated with the initial Offsetting carbon emissions from traditional High generation construction of the scheme (production and transportation of materials/plant) and also with the operation of some of the schemes such as the geothermal fossil fuel electricity generation. scenario Medium plants where there may be CO 2 emissions associated with the abstraction of geothermal fluids. 100MW to 200MW Positive
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8.7 Offshore Renewable Energy and Grid Connections
While this SEA focused on onshore technologies, it also considers grid implications, including those relating to offshore energy. This section therefore provides an overview of the potential environmental effects associated with connecting offshore renewable energy sources which have already been identified in the SEA of the Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan. It also looks at grid connections for both onshore and offshore renewable energy developments.
8.7.1 Offshore Renewable Energy Developments
The Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan (ORESAP), sets out targets for the development of at least 600MW from offshore wind and 300MW from tidal energy by 2020. These targets reflect the key findings from the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), the aim of which was to assess the effects of the ORESAP on the marine and coastal environment of Northern Ireland and other users of the marine environment. The SEA identified ‘Resource Zones’, five tidal, one wave and two offshore wind Resource Zones. The results from the assessment identified that, of all the Zones identified, those with the greatest potential for commercial scale developments, taking into account environmental effects, were the two offshore wind resource zones (Resource Zone 1 located off the North Coast and Resource Zone 2 of the East Coast), Tidal Resource Zone 1: North Coast and Tidal Resource Zone 2: Rathlin Island. The smaller Tidal Zones, while not considered suitable for commercial scale development may be considered for pre- commercial/demonstration or test site development.
8.7.1.1 Summary of Environmental Effects
The main potential environmental effects identified as part of the SEA included: Effects of tidal and wave developments on coastal processes due to changes in wave and tidal energy regimes. Effects of substratum loss and disturbance caused by the installation of piled foundation and presence of gravity bases and the effects on benthic ecology in particular Annex I habitats/communities. Habitat exclusion due to physical presence of developments. Risk of collision with offshore wind farms affecting seabird colonies, in particular migratory species where developments are located on migratory corridors/close to coast. Risk of collision with tidal developments affecting seabirds (diving and pursuit feeders), marine mammals, fish and marine reptiles. Noise from installation of piled foundations affecting marine mammals, fish and marine reptiles. Noise from operational wave and tidal developments affecting marine mammals, fish and marine reptiles. Physical presence of developments, noise and collision risk creating barriers to movement along migratory routes and between feeding and breeding areas (marine mammals, fish and marine reptiles). Effects of offshore wind farms, tidal devices and supporting infrastructure (onshore) on seascape and landscape character and visual amenity. Displacement of fishermen from traditional fishing grounds. Reduced navigational safety due to increased collision risk and vessel displacement. Positive effects on fish stocks (fishing exclusion zones), climate (contributing towards combating climate change) and artificial reef creation around renewable energy infrastructure. Positive local air quality and net greenhouse gas effects.
8.7.1.2 Development Potential
Taking the above potential environmental effects into account the following conclusions were made in terms of the overall commercial scale offshore renewable energy in Northern Ireland waters which could be developed without significant adverse effects on the environment and contribute to the 40% renewable electricity target..
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Table 8.9: Development Potential for Offshore Renewable Energy
Zone MW Main Environmental Considerations Magilligan SAC, marine mammals, birds, fishing grounds, Wind Zone 1: North Coast 300MW Binevenagh and Causeway Coast AONBs and Giant’s Causeway WHS.
Wind Wind Benthic ecology, marine mammals and birds, shipping and Wind Zone 2: East Coast 600MW navigation, fishing grounds and seascape (Strangford and Lecale and Mournes and Slieve Croob AONBs). Marine mammals, birds, fish and displacement from fishing Tidal Zone 1: North Coast 100MW grounds. Benthic ecology, marine mammals, marine reptiles, fish, and Tidal Tidal Tidal Zone 2: Rathlin Island 200MW birds, shipping and navigation, displacement from fishing and Torr Head grounds, Antrim Coast and Glens AONB.
Although there is potential for up to 300MW of offshore wind to be developed off the North Coast, the conclusions from the SEA identified that further work would be required in this area in order to determine the potential effects of offshore wind developments on the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site (WHS) and the Causeway Coast AONB. Additional project/area specific seascape and landscape assessments would be required in order to assess the potential effects of development in the other zones on seascape and landscape character around the coast of Northern Ireland. In addition there are a number of other important qualifications on the overall conclusions/figures set out above. In particular the need for additional studies and surveys to be undertaken either at the project level or at a strategic level to fill a number of the key data, knowledge and information gaps identified throughout the assessment. The filling of these data gaps has been identified as being essential for assessing with more certainty the potential effects of offshore wind and tidal developments on a range of marine habitats and species including designated nature conservation sites (SACs, SPAs, Ramsar Sites and ASSIs etc). Work is currently underway to assess how this can best be addressed. Based on the findings from the assessment the SEA concluded that there is potential for offshore renewable energy developments to make a significant contribution to the wider renewable energy mix and the 40% renewable electricity targets by 2020 as set out in the Strategic Energy Framework 2010.
8.7.1.3 Regional Locational Guidance (RLG)
In order to address the qualifications on the main results from the SEA a series of Actions were developed for inclusion in the draft ORESAP. The aim of these actions was to avoid, reduce or offset any likely significant adverse effects on the environment that may result from the development of offshore renewable energy projects in certain locations. Some of these actions have been carried out, one of which was to produce Regional Locational Guidance (RLG) for the development of offshore renewable energy projects in Northern Ireland waters. The RLG is a non-statutory document which contains advice and guidance for developers, regulatory authorities, marine users and other stakeholders on the key environmental and other factors that have to be taken into account with respect to the planning, development and operation of offshore renewable energy projects in Northern Ireland waters. It also includes a high level analysis of possible options for connecting offshore project onto the Northern Ireland grid. The document does not replace the need for marine planning in Northern Ireland waters. However, it does provide a more detailed analysis of the main environmental considerations and other factors that need to be assessed at a project level in each of the Resource Zones. The RLG also looks at opportunities for developing test sites and pre-commercial scale developments as well as commercial scale projects. It is the intention that the information included in the RLG will be used by developers to assist with the identification of possible development sites in Northern Ireland as part of The Crown Estates Leasing Round which was announced in March 2011.
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8.7.2 Grid Connections
8.7.2.1 Onshore Grid Connections
Existing Energy Infrastructure The increasing demand for renewables and the need to meet governmental targets has meant network enhancement is now a critical priority for Northern Ireland. An improved grid infrastructure is required to handle more efficiently existing traditional generation, the growth of renewable energy generation and targets, and secure the integration of the Single Electricity Market. The transmission system in Northern Ireland is made up of circuits comprising 275kV and 110kV. The 275kV system is comprised entirely of double-circuit overhead lines, and the 110kV system contains a mixture of double-circuit and single-circuit overhead lines. There are three generators with two in the East and the third in the North West of the region. At present, there are two transmission systems which are connected by a 275kV double circuit connecting Tandragee in Northern Ireland and County Louth in the Republic of Ireland. In addition, there are two existing 110kV interconnectors but these have limited capacity and are not used for bulk transfers of electricity. Northern Ireland also has a 500MW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link with Great Britain which is bi-directional but is usually used to import power into the NIE system (EirGrid, 2010).
Network Challenges In order to facilitate the expected increase in renewable energy generation on the grid, the network infrastructure in Northern Ireland needs to be strengthened. In 2003, NIE produced an Environmental Statement on ‘Network Improvement for the West of the Province’ (NIE, 2003). The report identified that most of the 110kV network in the west of Northern Ireland is now heavily loaded and that major transmission reinforcement was required. In 2003, NIE’s overall growth rate on the network was 2.8% with the west expanding more rapidly than many other parts of Northern Ireland. Increasing load profiles of the network in this region mean the grid will overload especially during faults and/or outages on the network.
Planned Grid Developments One of the goals of the Strategic Energy Framework (SEF) for Northern Ireland (DETI 2010) is to develop Northern Ireland’s energy infrastructure. Among the actions outlined are developing the second North-South electricity interconnector. This project is currently seeking planning approval and will increase electricity transfer capacity by 680MW (Department for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, 2007) and encourage competitiveness in the Single Electricity Market for the benefit of all consumers (DETI, 2010). The SEF outlines another key action as ‘Ensuring that electricity and grid developments plans are future proofed to facilitate a more decarbonised energy mix beyond 2020’. DETI also outlines working with stakeholders to ensure a strategic fit with smart grid initiatives along with ensuring co-operation between the Utility Regulator, NIE and the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) to deliver new electricity grid infrastructure. In April 2010, the Renewable Integration Development Project (RIDP) – Phase 2 was published to identify the need to reinforce the transmission network on the north west of the island of Ireland in order to facilitate the number of renewable generators proposing to connect in the region. The RIDP which is a joint project between NIE, Eirgrid and SONI, identified seven Candidate Schemes that in theory would be capable of accommodating the levels of renewable generation being considered for the year 2020 (for Scenario 1 arising from Phase 1 of the RIDP and the All Ireland Grid Study). Each of the candidate schemes are treated as a single package of inter-dependent network improvements. The conclusions of the report highlighted that all seven Candidate Schemes are capable of catering for renewable generation penetration in the North West region. The report detailed that each Candidate Scheme would require the construction of new 275kV or 220kV substations and significant lengths of new 275kV, 220kV and 110kV transmission lines or HDVC links.
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The RIDP report also assessed each candidate scheme based on constraints mapping and high level environmental assessment. The report found that in most cases, a transmission line would be achievable although European nature conservation sites (SACs and SPAs), landscape designation areas such as AONBs and other sites such as the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site (WHS) should be avoided. Grid re-enforcements in the south of Donegal may prove problematic due to the significance of landscape sensitivities and environmental designations, as may reinforcements in the southeast which would be required to provide connects for generation from offshore wind farms off the east coast (see below). The key challenge for Northern Ireland’s grid is to accommodate increased renewable energy demand on the network due to regional, national and international energy targets whilst ensuring economic and environmental viability is assured as well as stability within the network itself. In the Republic of Ireland, EirGrid’s Grid Development Strategy report has outlined how Ireland’s grid can accommodate sustainable, competitive, diverse and secure power supplies in support of economic and social development and renewable energy deployment. The report highlighted that the increasing estimated power flows between now and 2025 mean that the capacity of the bulk transmission system in Ireland will need to be doubled (EirGrid, 2008). The Strategy states that demand in the North West region of the Republic of Ireland (County Donegal, County Mayo, and County Roscommon) will grow by up to 60% by 2025 due to this area being a renewable - rich region. The consequences of non-action would be there being no capacity in the network to cater for new customers and no potential to connect future renewable energy generation.
8.7.2.2 Offshore Grid Connections
In addition to identifying the key environmental considerations and other factors that need to be taken into account, the RLG also includes a high level analysis of possible options for connecting offshore projects into the Northern Ireland grid network. This includes an assessment of the environmental and technical constraints that would need to be taken into account at possible landfall locations and associated with any onshore connection that would be required to gain access to the existing network. In total 16 potential landfall sites were identified along the coast of Northern Ireland using aerial photography and maps. The landfall locations that were identified related specifically to each of the Resource Zones that were assessed as part of the ORESAP SEA and subsequent RLG and are summarised in the table below.
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Table 8.10: Onshore Grid Connections for Offshore Renewable Energy Projects
Resource Zone Potential Landfall Locations Closest connection point for all three landfalls would be the substation at Coleraine on the 110kV line that runs from Kells (near Ballymena) to Coleraine. There is no capacity on this line. Significant Offshore Wind, Castle Rock Wave and Tidal reinforcements would be required to provide sufficient Portrush (East) Resource Zone 1: capacity for offshore renewable energy projects. Bushmills (Bushfoot Strand) North Coast Key environmental considerations include coastal AONBs (Binevenagh and Causeway Coast) and a few ASSI sites. Gently undulating terrain. Closest connection point for all four landfalls would be the Coleraine Main on the Kells to Coleraine 110kV line. White Park Bay There is no capacity on this line. Significant Tidal Resource reinforcements would be required to provide sufficient Zone 2: Rathlin Ballycastle capacity for offshore renewable energy projects. Island and Torr Port Aleen Bay Head Key environmental considerations include AONBs Cushendun Bay (Causeway Coast and Antrim Hills and Glens), Antrim Hills SPA, Garron Plateau SAC and ASSI sites. Steeply sloping and undulating terrain. Closest connection point for both landfalls would be Larne Main on the Larne 110kV line. Tidal Resource Ballygally Bay System reinforcements may be required. Zone 3: Maiden’s Island Drains Bay Environmental considerations include possible need to route though southern end of the Antrim Hills and Glens AONB. Other environmental considerations are limited. Possible connection into 110kV sites at Rathgael (south Tidal Resource Ballyholme side of Bangor) or Newtownards. Zone 4: Copeland Groomsport System reinforcements may be required. Islands Templepatrick Limited environmental considerations in the area. Flat low lying terrain. Possible connection into the 110kV line at Newtownards Tidal Resource No specific landfalls were located at the northern end of Strangford Lough. Zone 5: Strangford Lough identified System reinforcements may be required. Gently undulating terrain. From Ballyhalbert Bay and Knockinelder Bay there may be options to connect into the 110kV line at Newtownards to the north (between 20km and 30km). From Dundrum Bay and Ballykeel Bay there may be a Ballyhalbert Bay (north of possible option to connect into the 110kV network at zone) Ballynahinch (although this is approximately 40km from Wind Resource Knockinelder Bay (north of Ballykeel due to Mourne Mountains). Zone 2: East zone) System reinforcements are likely to be required on the Coast Dundrum Bay (central zone) network. Ballykeel Bay (south of Main environmental considerations include Strangford zone) Lough Ramsar, SPA, SAC, NNR and MNR and the Strangford and Lecale AONB to the north and the Mourne Mountains and Mourne AONB to the south. Steeply undulating terrain in the south (Mourne Mountains).
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The results from the assessment identified that due to limited capacity on the existing transmission network in Northern Ireland, it is likely that a number of significant system reinforcements would be required in order to ensure that there is sufficient capacity available to enable the delivery of offshore renewable energy projects. This applies to all of the resource zones identified in the ORESAP, SEA and RLG. The assessment also identifies that in addition to limitations in available capacity on the existing transmission network, there are some areas where environmental considerations may also limit or possibly constrain options for connecting into the network. These include possible routes from landfalls located along the Antrim coast due to the need to negotiate the designations and steep undulating terrain of the Antrim Hills in order to connect into the 110kV line that runs from Kells to Coleraine, and connections into the 110kV lines at Newtownards or Ballynahinch due to overland distance and the need to negotiate the Mourne Mountains in the south. Taking the recognised limits in capacity on the existing transmission network, NIE as part of the work being carried out for the RIDP considers options for system reinforcements to provide sufficient capacity on the transmission network to accommodate 300MW of offshore wind off the north coast and 250MW to 500MW from tidal projects in Tidal Resource Zone 2 (Rathlin Island). Connection infrastructure for individual projects will be the responsibility of the individual developers.
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9 Conclusions and Mitigation Measures
9.1 Conclusions
The results from the SEA identified that, whilst there may be some potential adverse cumulative effects on some SEA topics (landscape character, biodiversity) most potential effects associated with onshore renewable energy developments are site or project specific. With regard to climate change impacts, all of the technologies are potentially beneficial, to varying degrees, and cumulatively it is concluded that there would be a significant beneficial effect. Taking into account the limitations with the assessment in terms of a lack of spatial information relating to the location of potential future developments and a lack of detail on specific project designs e.g. installed capacity (MW), scale and technical design of those not yet through the planning system, it was difficult to identify specific potential significant cumulative effects associated with all of the generating scenarios present in the OREAP for all the SEA topics. For most technologies there are likely to be a wide range of potential environmental effects all of which need to be taken into account at the project stage. The results from the assessment concluded the following for the main technologies: Onshore Wind: There is potential for an increased likelihood of significant adverse effects occurring where development is dispersed into new locations/areas, in particular into areas where there are currently no/few wind farms developments and where there would also be a requirement to provide new grid infrastructure or substantial reinforcements in order to enable development in new areas. The most significant effects are include potential effects on: Landscape character. Ecology
Based on the results from the assessment it was concluded that there is still some capacity for additional development to be accommodated in existing locations e.g. in the North West. Clustering development in existing locations would reduce potential significant adverse effects occurring in other, undeveloped locations and maximise the use of grid infrastructure. However, the assessment also concludes that development would not be able to continue to follow this pattern indefinitely. In all locations there will be a limit on the total amount (MW) of onshore wind farm developments that can be accommodated before significant cumulative effects start to occur. The level of development at which significant cumulative effects are likely to occur will vary from area to area and will be influenced by a number of factors including landscape character and ecological value of an area. On the basis that there is potential for significant adverse cumulative effects to start to occur once development has reached a certain level in current locations, the assessment also concludes that it may be necessary, in order to achieve the upper level generation scenario for some development (small amount) to be dispersed into other areas. However, it is considered that this should be focused on other areas where there are already some onshore wind developments or which have been assessed as being of lower sensitivity to onshore wind farm developments than other locations. Where possible development in undeveloped areas that are highly sensitive for their landscape or biodiversity attributes should be avoided. Development should also be targeted to areas where there is already access to the grid or where grid upgrades or the provision of new infrastructure has already been planned and assessed as part of the RIDP. This assessment, because it has been carried out at a very strategic level with limited information in some instances, is unable to determine exactly the levels of development (MW) that could be accommodated in current areas of development before significant cumulative adverse effects would start to occur. Neither has it been possible to conclude the exact amount of development (MW), if any, that could occur in other, more sensitive areas e.g. around the Mourne Mountains, Antrim Hills, Giant’s Causeway WHS and other
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AONBs should development in current locations start to have significant cumulative adverse effects on a range of receptors. Taking these limitations into account it is concluded from this assessment that, on the basis that there is already over 900MW of onshore wind consented, it would be possible to achieve the low level generation scenario of 800MW to 1000MW with development continuing in current locations (clustering). However, there is potential that as levels of development start to increase towards the high level generation scenario significant adverse cumulative effects could start to occur in these current areas of development and therefore there may be a requirement to identify alternative locations where onshore wind farm developments could be delivered in order to achieve the high level scenario. In order to assess the overall development capacity in both existing areas of development and other areas, it is suggested that more detailed ‘capacity studies’ are carried out at a regional level to inform how development should proceed once the low level generation scenario has been achieved. Depending on the timescales for development, it may be necessary to carry out a review of progress towards the low level generation scenario by 2017/2018 with a view to determining whether there is still capacity for development to continue in current locations towards the high level generation scenario (1000MW to 1200MW) by 2020. It should also be noted that there will be limits on the total amount of development that can be accommodated elsewhere once capacity in existing locations has been reached. Capacity studies will therefore be necessary for all regions in order to determine the overall potential capacity for onshore wind development in Northern Ireland. These capacity studies should be carried out in the next few years e.g. before 2017 in order to also inform the establishment of new targets for onshore wind development beyond 2020. Depending on the findings from the studies, it may be necessary for DETI to re-evaluate the overall renewable energy mix moving forward beyond 2020 as it may be necessary to identify and support alternative technologies if the capacity of onshore wind in the future becomes limited. Further detail on the capacity studies and other supporting studies such as bird migration route studies is provided below. Biomass: The results from the assessment concluded that overall, most effects associated with biomass developments are project specific including potential adverse effects on landscape and visual amenity, ecology, local air quality and odour; and transport impacts and associated effects on local noise levels and air quality (emissions). However, the potential to develop biomass at a large scale depends upon the type of fuel and fuel sources. If the focus for biomass is purely on biomass from grown fuels there could be limitations in the levels of development that could be achieved in Northern Ireland, particularly if the crops are to be cultivated locally. This is due to the large area of land take that would be required in order to meet sufficient fuel demand for medium to large biomass plants (50MW to 100MW) and the impacts of this on agricultural land uses. If crops are to be imported from elsewhere, the carbon costs associated with the transportation of those fuels would
have to be taken into account in terms of the overall performance of the development and total CO 2 offsets. Plants relying on imported fuels are also likely to need to be located near major ports or docks to minimise the movement of large loads of fuels by road. Other: The assessment concluded that there are likely to be a range of potential effects from ‘other’ renewable energy sources. However, most of these are very site and project specific. In terms of the technologies, the assessment has identified that the largest contribution towards the 40% renewable energy target from other renewable energy sources is likely to come from small scale wind developments. There continues to be an increase in the range and number of small scale wind schemes being developed across Northern Ireland, mainly in response to the availability of fiscal incentives/benefits for developing this technology.
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Geothermal technology is still to be proven at a large scale and may need to be reviewed as technology develops in terms of its ability to make a significant contribution towards the 2020 target and towards targets beyond 2020. In terms of hydroelectric schemes, whilst there has been a high number of these developed across Northern Ireland e.g. more than 35, the majority of these are very small scale (all less than 1MW). On the basis that there is limited resource in Northern Ireland for large scale hydroelectric schemes it is likely that future development will continue to follow future trends. With most development being less than 1MW that it is unlikely that hydro schemes would contribute more than 10MW to the overall generation scenario for other renewable sources. There is potential that photovoltaics could contribute up to 10MW by 2020. This would come from a combination of small domestic schemes (20KW to 30KW) to larger solar farms (5MW). At present most PV schemes are around 20KW. One of the main implications associated with other renewable energy sources relates to the increase in small scale wind schemes and the pressure of this on the 11kV and 33kV distribution network. At present there are approximately 600 applications for small scale wind developments in the planning system. In total these applications equate to between 120MW and 160MW of electricity generation. The proportion of developments that will require grid connections is currently unknown. However, depending on the number and location of developments this could lead to an increased demand for certain parts of the 11kV and 33kV network to be reinforced. The implications of this are addressed below in terms of mitigation measures.
9.2 Mitigation
Although the conclusions above state that the overall level of development that may be achieved will be dependent on individual projects gaining planning consent, the focus of this SEA is to assess the potential effects that the OREAP and the generation scenarios including in the plan would have on the environment. It is therefore necessary as part of the SEA process to develop appropriate measures to avoid, reduce or remedy any potential significant adverse effects that could occur at the plan level and for these measures to be integrated into the OREAP as appropriate. In terms of this SEA two forms of mitigation have been identified as being required to avoid or reduce adverse effects on the environment. These include: Suggested Plan Level Actions – these are measures/actions that will be incorporated into the plan (OREAP) to avoid/reduce or remedy significant adverse effects. These relate to strategic level measures that have been identified as being necessary for the generation scenarios set out in the OREAP to be achieved in a way that avoids or minimises any significant adverse effects on the environment. EIA Guidance and Project Level Mitigation – these are measures that are not incorporated into the OREAP but are recognised as good practice and it is assumed that these would be incorporated into future projects. It is likely that a number of these measures (depending on project specifics) will be required in order to achieve development consent at the project level.
9.2.1 Suggested Plan Level Actions
The conclusions from the assessment identified that there is likelihood that delivering renewable energy developments to achieve the generation scenarios presented in the OREAP, in particular the high level generation scenarios, could have significant adverse effects on the environment. Taking this into account it is therefore necessary to identify appropriate measures to mitigate potential significant adverse effects on the environment. The main focus of the OREAP is to signal Government support to the growth of renewable energy generation, whilst acknowledging that this growth needs to be delivered and managed in a sustainable way which minimises adverse effects on the environment and other land users. It does this by identifying a number of high level strategic generation scenarios for a range of technologies, various combinations of which could be taken forward in order to contribute towards meeting the 40% target for renewable energy set out in the SEF. The OREAP does not set targets for
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development (e.g. levels of MW) that have to be delivered for each technology. The OREAP also does not designated areas/locations for development; similarly it also does not identify exclusion areas. Taking this into account it is not appropriate to develop specific mitigation measures to control or regulate development in certain areas as the specific location and amount of development that is likely to occur in an area is unknown. The assessment does acknowledge that there are broad areas/locations across Northern Ireland where there is already a relatively high level of activity/interest in development, especially in terms of onshore wind. However, the plan does not aim to set limits on how much development can occur in certain areas, or across Northern Ireland as a whole. Therefore, due to the high level and strategic nature of the OREAP options for developing specific plan level mitigation are limited. Most of the mitigation measures identified as part of the assessment relate specifically to measures associated with consenting process for individual projects (project level mitigation). Based on the main conclusions summarised above, the following areas have been identified where plan level mitigation measures/actions will be integrated into the main body of the OREAP. Developing mechanisms for monitoring, reviewing and managing the growth/development of onshore wind developments at a strategic level. Developing Government policy to support development of the grid to ensure delivery of onshore renewable energy targets. Ensuring coordination between generation from onshore renewable and offshore renewable energy sources. Ensuring compliance with European and national legislation at a project level.
9.2.1.1 Proposed Actions for Onshore Wind
Action 1: Capacity Studies and Data Gaps The assessment concluded that in order to reduce potential significant adverse effects on most environmental receptors the preferred option would be for additional onshore wind development to be clustered in current locations rather than being disperse into new and potentially more sensitive locations where the introduction of wind farms and additional grid infrastructure could lead to a greater potential for significant adverse effects to occur. However, the assessment also concluded that there are likely to be limits/thresholds on the overall amount (MW) of development that can be accommodated in current areas of development before significant adverse cumulative effects start to emerge. Taking this into account there may be a requirement for a certain amount of additional development (once capacity is reached in current locations) to be located elsewhere (dispersed) in order to avoid significant adverse cumulative effects in current locations. In order to identify the overall level of development that could be accommodated in existing areas of development and other areas, more detailed ‘capacity studies’ should be undertaken at a regional level/area specific level. These studies are necessary to provide more specific guidance on where future developments should be located and to feed into the ongoing monitoring of potential significant adverse effects (see below). The regional capacity studies should focus specifically on the receptors identified in the SEA where there is potential for significant adverse cumulative effects to occur once development exceeds a certain level. These include: Action 1: Capacity Studies and Data Gaps : In order to determine with more accuracy how much development could be accommodated in different locations across Northern Ireland before significant cumulative effects start to emerge more detailed ‘capacity studies’ should be undertaken at a regional/area specific level. These studies are essential for providing more specific guidance on where future developments should be located and to feed into the ongoing monitoring of potential significant adverse effects as discussed under Action 2 below. The required capacity studies include: Landscape capacity study : This would examine in greater detail the capacity of an area (in MW) to accommodate onshore wind development without significant adverse effects on landscape and visual amenity, taking into account the information presented in PPS18 on the sensitivity of different landscape character areas to onshore wind farm developments.
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Ecological study : Regional level studies would examine in more detail potential cumulative effects of onshore wind developments on habitats and species at a regional level. This should focus specifically on the potential effect on bats and the encroachment of development into upland areas and the effects of this on areas of bog/peat, marsh and fen habitats and associated species. Bird migration study: Strategic level study to identify key/strategic migratory routes for bird species that are sensitive to onshore wind developments e.g. large waterfowl (swans and geese).
Action 2: Monitoring and Review of Onshore Wind Developments It is recommended that a continuous monitoring framework or programme should be developed where the key potential cumulative effects identified from the assessment are reviewed on a regular basis (every 18 months to two years) in response to growth of the onshore wind industry. This monitoring framework or programme will be linked directly to the ongoing consenting of individual developments with support/collaboration from other regulatory bodies and other departments. The aim of the monitoring programme is to review development on a continuous basis at a national level based on regional level information in order to identify potential significant adverse effects before they occur. This monitoring programme should be based around the capacity studies taken forward under Action 1. Given the current level of operational and consented onshore wind farms in Northern Ireland and the number of applications awaiting consent through the planning system it is imperative that the capacity studies are commenced immediately in order to prevent any significant adverse cumulative effects in the short to medium term and to provide a clear platform/benchmark from which progress on future development can be effectively reviewed and monitored under Action 2. 9.2.1.2 Proposed Actions for Grid Development
It is recognised that there is currently insufficient capacity in the existing grid network to accommodate the levels of generation required to meet the 40% target for electricity from renewable sources. However, significant progress is currently being made by NIE and SONI as part of the RIDP to identify specific options for upgrading and reinforcing the grid in order to ensure delivery of projects to meet the 40% target. This includes both large scale renewable energy projects such as onshore wind projects, offshore renewable developments and smaller scale generation such as small scale wind turbines. Although DETI has no direct responsibility for developing and managing the grid network, it is does acknowledge in the OREAP that there is a need for significant strengthening of the grid in order to deliver onshore (and offshore) renewable energy projects in order to achieve the 40% target by 2020. However, it is the responsibility of NIE and SONI to develop the necessary programmes of grid upgrades and reinforcements. The following actions focus specifically on upgrades and reinforcements to the transmission network and the local distribution network that will be required to ensure that the 40% target can be met with the range of technologies/energy mix. Action 3: Transmission and Distribution Network DETI will work with SONI, NIE and the Utility Regulator to create appropriate policy frameworks to enable ongoing development of the transmission and distribution networks to accommodate an increasing amount of renewable generation.
9.2.1.3 Action for Coordination with the ORESAP
The Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan (ORESAP) prepared by DETI in 2010 sets out targets for the development of offshore wind (at least 600MW) and tidal stream energy (300MW) by 2020. It is not the intention of the OREAP to reproduce specific actions included in the ORESAP, although key findings from the assessment, in particular those relating to the need for suitable grid connections to be made available to enable offshore projects to be delivered, have been taken into account.
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In terms of taking forward both the OREAP and the ORESAP it is recognised that there needs to be consistency and coordination between both plans. This is necessary in terms of identifying how both onshore and offshore renewable energy technologies will contribute towards the overall energy mix for achieving the 40% renewable energy target and how the grid network will be developed to ensure both onshore and offshore projects can actually be delivered. Action 4: Coordination between the OREAP and the ORESAP DETI will work to ensure coordination and consistency between the delivery of the OREAP and the ORESAP. This will include consideration of both onshore and offshore technologies in establishing overall energy mixes for meeting the 40% target for electricity from renewable sources.
9.2.1.4 Actions for compliance with EIA Regulations and Habitats Directives
Action 5: Compliance with EIA Regulations and Habitats Directive It is acknowledged that the vast majority of renewable energy projects taken forward under the OREAP will have to be screened to determine the need for an EIA or Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA). Whilst it is recognised that this is standard practice it is still necessary to include a specific Action in the OREAP which demonstrates a clear commitment to ensuring that projects taken forward will have to comply with the necessary legislative requirements in order to identify, and address (avoid or reduce) potential significant adverse effects at the project level as identified in this assessment. A summary of these legislative requirements is provided below: EIA Requirements: In accordance with the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (NI) 1999 as amended by The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008, all proposed developments will be screened to determine whether they would have potential significant adverse effects on the environment and therefore be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Where an EIA is required, the project will be required to take cognisance of the suggested project level mitigation measures set out in the SEA Environmental Report and identify project and site specific measures to reduce, avoid or offset significant adverse effects through consultation with the appropriate regulatory bodies. HRA Requirements: All individual projects subject to development consent will be required to comprehensively demonstrate that the development would not have a Likely Significant Effect (LSE) on the integrity of a Natura 2000 site. Where it is not possible to conclude that there would be no LSE, the applicant must clearly demonstrate as part of the consent application process the mitigation measures that will be implemented as part of the project to avoid LSE, detailing how these measures will be implemented. Where there are no options for avoiding LSE the applicant must demonstrate that there are Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest (IROPI) for the project.
9.2.2 Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures
Table 9.1 below provides a summary of suggested project level mitigation measures that may be appropriate for specific renewable energy projects and which were considered as part of the assessment of potential effects in Chapters 7 and 8 of this report. However, it should be noted that possible additional mitigation measures may also need to be identified on a project and site specific basis, and developers may be obliged to apply specific mitigation as part of the individual project consenting process. Required mitigation will be set out in the conditions of the consent issued to the project developer.
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Table 9.1: Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase Consultation C Consult with NIEA upon project inception to gain data to inform site selection and Site selection stage All topics All O project design. Project design stage D Use NIEA data to inform environmental statement production. EIA stage Landscape Careful site selection avoiding sensitive areas and considering landscape setting Wind C Adhere to principles in UK wind farm guidance documents in particular to Wind Site selection stage Effects on landscape Biomass O Energy Development in Northern Ireland's Landscapes - Supplementary Planning Project design stage character/resource Other D 15 Grid Guidance to PPS 18 . EIA stage Appropriate selection of development scale, design, colour, material and lighting Careful site selection avoiding sensitive areas and considering landscape setting Wind C Adhere to principles in UK wind farm guidance documents in particular to Wind Site selection stage Effects on Biomass O Energy Development in Northern Ireland's Landscapes - Supplementary Planning Project design stage designations Other D Guidance to PPS 18. EIA stage Grid Appropriate selection of development scale, design, colour, material and lighting Careful site selection avoiding sensitive areas and considering landscape setting Adhere to principles in UK wind farm guidance documents in particular to Wind Energy Development in Northern Ireland's Landscapes - Supplementary Planning Guidance to PPS 18. Wind Appropriate selection of development scale, design, colour, material and lighting. C Site selection stage Effects on visual Biomass O Project design stage amenity Other D EIA stage Grid
15- PPS18 : Renewable Energy; Wind Energy Development in Northern Ireland's Landscapes - Supplementary Planning Guidance to PPS 18; Guidance on the Cumulative Effects of Windfarms , Scottish Natural Heritage (Version 2 revised April 2005); Guidelines on Environmental Impacts of Wind farms and Small Scale Hydro Electric Schemes , Scottish Natural Heritage, 2001; Visual Assessment of Windfarms Best Practice , University of Newcastle (2002). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report F01AA303A; Visual Representation of Windfarms Good Practice Guidance , horner + maclennan and Envision, prepared for Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Renewable energy Forum and Scottish Society of Directors of Planning, (2006 Report F03 AA 308/2); and Siting and Designing Windfarms in the Landscape , Version 1, Scottish Natural Heritage 2009.
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Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase Ecology and Biodiversity Careful site selection avoiding sensitive sites/species where possible Avoid locations where there is a demonstrable peat slide risk. Site selection stage Wind Use of Best Practical Environmental Option (BPEO) for plant access, positioning and Project design stage Direct habitat loss, C Biomass operation during installation works. EIA stage damage or O Other Implement fencing and buffer zones to restrict access by construction/de- Project installation modification D Grid commissioning machinery/activities to sensitive qualifying habitats and species. Project operation and Any work which may destroy or affect a sensitive species and habitat must be maintenance discussed with NIEA. Careful site selection avoiding sensitive sites/species where possible. Avoid habitat removal during sensitive seasons (i.e. breeding). Site selection stage Wind Site-specific surveys at project level to identify the presence of key feeding and C Project design stage Disturbance to Biomass breeding areas to aid site selection. O EIA stage species Other Implement fencing and buffer zones to restrict access to sensitive areas to reduce D Project installation Grid disturbance (noise and visual) to wintering, breeding and passage birds during Project operation construction and operation. Use directional lighting on operational infrastructure and avoid light spillage Careful site selection avoiding sensitive sites/species where possible. Avoid siting wind turbines and hydroelectric turbines within known breeding, feeding and/or migration routes of fish and birds. Site selection stage Wind C Provision of fish passages and fish fences where appropriate for hydroelectric Project design stage Displacement of Biomass O schemes. EIA stage species Other Grid D Implement fencing and buffer zones to prevent protected species gaining entry into Project installation
construction sites and operational infrastructure. Project operation Provide compensatory habitat/nestboxes/bat boxes as appropriate for displaced species. Site selection stage Wind C Implementation of measures to control the generation of sediment-laden runoff Project design stage Changes to Biomass O Obtain abstraction licence from the relevant authority. EIA stage hydrology Other D Maintain gross site hydrology, particularly where active peat is present. Project installation Project operation
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Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase Avoid the siting of OREAP infrastructure adjacent to water features if possible. Assess potential for ecological change at coolant water discharge/inflow locations. Avoid work on or near the banks, or in the channel, of any watercourses wherever Site selection stage possible. Project design stage Wind Changes in water C Obtain necessary licences EIA stage Biomass quality D Implement good site practice such as Pollution Prevention Guidelines Project installation Other Inspect machinery before use and regularly during their use. Project operation Use drip trays under vehicles and plant where appropriate Spill kits readily available and the formulation of an emergency plan in the event of a spillage. Design development for minimal impact. Appropriate siting of developments (away from sensitive areas) – e.g. migration Site selection stage routes, feeding, breeding areas. Physical damage to Wind Project design stage species (collision Other O Alignment of turbines in rows parallel to the main migratory direction. EIA stage risk) Grid Provide sufficient distance between wind farms for migration. Project operation Shut-down of turbines at night with bad weather/visibility and high migration intensity or during sensitive periods of qualifying features.Maximise device visibility. Site selection stage Project design stage Barotrauma (bats) Wind O Bat surveys to determine potential for bats to be present in the area. EIA stage Project operation Appropriate design of OREAP infrastructure may reduce chemical emissions from biomass plants and landfill gas sites. Review of local air quality and pollutant modelling should be undertaken when detailed design is finalised and project level mitigation can be implemented to reduce Project design stage emissions. Biomass EIA stage Emissions to Air O Implement scrubbers within chimney stacks to reduce release of chemical emissions Other Installation into atmosphere. Project operation Consultation with the relevant authority for example NIEA to obtain permit. Apply construction related mitigation measures including solid hoardings, water spray curtains and covering exposed materials to reduce the transfer of dust and air pollutants travelling to sensitive areas during construction. Project design stage Biomass Spill kits readily available and the formulation of an emergency plan in the event of a EIA stage Accidental Spillage O Other spillage. Project installation Project operation
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Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase Biological screening for invasive species may be required on developments that are Biomass sited close to European Sites. EIA stage Invasive Species O Other Planting for biofuel feedstocks should avoid being sited within and adjacent to Project operation European Sites. Appropriate disposal of waste material in specialised landfill sites if required Products from EIA stage Biomass O Consultation with the relevant authority for example NIEA to obtain discharge Technology Project operation consents. Water Obtain a temporary discharge consent (s) and agree with appropriate authority Wind Implement good site practice such as Pollution Prevention Guidelines such as EIA stage Biomass C Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guideline 1 General Guide to the Project installation Release of sediment Other D Prevention of Pollution, Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guideline 5 Works Project operation Grid and Maintenance In or Near Water and Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guideline 6 Working at Construction and Demolition Sites. Wind Site selection stage Disturbance of Avoid development within areas of known sediment contamination Biomass C Project design stage contaminated Use installation methods that minimise disturbance of sediments Other D EIA stage sediments Risk assessment and contingency planning Grid Project installation Use minimum quantities Design developments for minimum maintenance Risk assessment and contingency planning Observe good pollution prevention practices during construction, removal and Project design stage Wind C maintenance EIA stage Accidental release of Biomass O Design of drainage to remove contaminants before discharge Project installation contaminants Other Grid D Store chemicals and oils in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance such Project operation and as Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guideline 8 Safe Storage and Disposal maintenance of Used Oils Spill kits readily available and the formulation of an emergency plan in the event of a spillage.
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Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase Where possible, piled foundations should not be located in contaminated areas and appropriate types of pile shall be chosen to restrict downward migration of Wind contaminants. Site selection stage Creation of pollutant Biomass C Piles should be designed in accordance with the EA guidance document ‘Piling and Project design stage pathways Other D Penetrative Ground Improvement Methods on Land Affected by Contamination: EIA stage Grid Guidance on Pollution Prevention’. Project installation Placement of suitable bunds e.g. clay around pipes Placement of bunded hardstanding Site selection stage Wind C Project design stage Increased surface Biomass Avoid areas susceptible to flooding O EIA stage water run-off Other Provide adequate water attenuation Grid D Project installation Operation Good site management practices should be implemented in accordance with Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines. Drainage systems should be designed to prevent pollutants entering water bodies by incorporating measures such as sediment interceptors, attenuation and oil interceptors. Full decommissioning of tanks and pipelines should be undertaken before demolition Ensure safe removal of potentially contaminated material to a suitable disposal Site Selection Wind facility/landfill site. Project design stage Pollution of C Biomass Avoid the siting of OREAP infrastructure adjacent to water features if possible. EIA stage groundwater and O Other Avoid working in the banks of any watercourses where possible. Project installation surface water D Grid Store construction materials appropriately away from watercourses and within Project operation and bunded areas with isolated drainage systems. maintenance Obtain necessary licences Inspect machinery before use and regularly during their use. Use drip trays under vehicles and plant where appropriate Spill kits readily available and the formulation of an emergency plan in the event of a spillage. Appropriate drainage design Project design stage Production of waste Obtain discharge consent from appropriate authority. Biomass O EIA stage water Incorporate onsite treatment measures Project operation
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Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase Site specific geophysical and geotechnical surveys to establish a baseline and inform C Site selection stage Impacts on water Other the impact assessment for individual developments. O Project design stage bodies Grid Modelling of hydrodynamics and sediment transport. D EIA stage Assessment and monitoring of water quality. Soils Wind Good practice construction practice. Minimise vegetation removal where possible. Erosion of exposed Biomass C Project installation ground Other D Manage ground disturbance or excavations in a phased approach to reduce over Grid exposure of bare ground. Wind Site selection stage C Loss of agricultural Biomass Avoid high quality agricultural land Project design stage O land Other Site developments at field edges Project design stage D Grid EIA stage Undertake a comprehensive investigation of the groundwater regime. Site selection stage C Wind farms should be located on suitable non-blanket bog sites or, at a minimum, Effects on peat Wind Project design stage D seek to improve the surrounding environment. EIA stage Undertake peat slide risk assessment Loss of Wind geological/geomorph Avoid geological/geomorphological features where appropriate or possible. Biomass ological features, C Where geological features on site – explore options for enhancing features as part of Site selection stage Other including designated development. Grid sites/features Use minimum quantities Design developments for minimum maintenance Risk assessment and contingency planning Observe good pollution prevention practices during construction, removal and Project design stage Wind C maintenance EIA stage Accidental release of Biomass O Design of drainage to remove contaminants before discharge Project installation contaminants Other D Store chemicals and oils in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance such Project operation and Grid as Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guideline 8 Safe Storage and Disposal maintenance of Used Oils Spill kits readily available and the formulation of an emergency plan in the event of a spillage. Soil erosion due to Biomass O Best practice harvesting methods should be used. Project operation topsoil removal
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Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase Ground investigations should be carried out in order to avoid potential areas of contamination Good site management practices should be implemented in accordance with Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines. Site selection stage Full decommissioning of tanks and pipelines should be undertaken before demolition Project design stage C Release of Ensure safe removal of potentially contaminated material to a suitable disposal EIA stage Other O contaminants facility/landfill site. Project installation D Inspect machinery before use and regularly during their use. Project operation and Use drip trays under vehicles and plant where appropriate maintenance Use of spill kits readily and preparation of an emergency plan for spillages. Potentially contaminated material should be suitability disposed of in a appropriate facility/landfill site. Ground investigations should be carried out in order to avoid potential areas of C Site selection stage Land stability Other O instability. Project design stage D Development design techniques to minimise ground disturbance. Cultural Heritage including Archaeological and Archaeological Heritage Conform to the legislative requirements of the Historic Monuments and Physical effects on Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995 and follow the codes of practice published by Site selection stage designated, Wind the National Monument Service Project design stage undesignated and Biomass C Carry out investigations in preferred locations prior to installation (geophysical unknown historic and Other D EIA stage surveys, trenching or employ a watching brief during the construction period) archaeological Grid Project installation resources Avoid protected and other sites of interest Micro siting turbines away from any uncovered archaeological remains, Visual effects on the Wind setting of designated Avoid protected and other sites of interest. Biomass Site selection stage and undesignated COD Design of landscaping to screen or reduce intrusion on important sites. Other Project design stage historic sites and Development design to fit more sympathetically into the surrounding landscape. Grid features Population and Human Health: Recreation and Tourism Where possible undertake construction at times when disruption to visitors and local Site selection stage Potential effects on Wind C people would be minimised. recreational sites and Biomass O Project design stage Avoid key fishing areas (hydro). tourist attractions other D Project EIA stage Identify and avoid popular recreational areas where possible.
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Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase Diversion/redirection of recreational routes Wind Site selection stage C Identify and avoid popular routes. (footpaths, Biomass Project design stage D Where possible, facilitate safe access. cycleways, other Project EIA stage bridleways) Diversion or closure Wind Identify and avoid popular routes. of recreational routes Site selection stage Biomass O Provide suitable diversions to routes where possible. (footpaths, cycleways Project design stage other and bridleways): Provide suitable new routes where existing routes are closed permanently. Population and Human Health: Noise, Air Quality, Waste and Transportation Undertaking studies to determine site specific noise effects Minimise use of high noise emission activities such as drilling Avoid installation during sensitive periods Site selection stage Avoid noisy installations in noise sensitive areas Wind Project design stage C Review and consideration of noise reduction techniques Biomass EIA stage Noise and vibration O Fill sound insulation on plant equipment should be used Other Project installation D “soft starting” piling activities / passive acoustic deterrents – gradually increasing Grid Project operation and noise maintenance Implement construction Code of practice such as BS5228:2009 Part 1 Equipment should be appropriately located Appropriate construction techniques should be implemented Air quality effects: Nuisance and health Wind effects due to dust Biomass C Good site management practices should be implemented. EIA stage emissions and Other D Minimise vehicle movements where possible. Project installation vehicle and plant Grid exhaust emissions Recycle aggregates/materials on site where practical and appropriate. C Implement waste management programmes to reduce the production of waste on Project installation Wind Waste O site. Project operation and Biomass D Treat waste materials on site where possible to reduce the need for materials to be maintenance exported off site.
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Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase Traffic should be managed during construction Implement travel plans for site workers. Project design stage Wind C Shipping and rail should be used for goods deliveries EIA stage Biomass Traffic and Transport O Access routes to development sites should be assessed to ensure that the Project installation Other D Grid movement of large vehicles can be accommodated and suitable routes to the sites Project operation and avoiding local communities and utilising large, well maintained roads should be used maintenance as much as practically possible Project design stage Air quality - adverse Stack design to reduce emissions localised and EIA stage Biomass Air Pollution Control Installation to Cut Emissions at Source regional effects on air O Project installation Other Operational Best Practices (Regular Maintenance and Servicing) quality from biomass Project operation and Emissions Monitoring combustion maintenance Project installation Biomass Technical design to reduce the emission of odours e.g. emissions controls and Odour O Project operation and Other emissions monitoring. maintenance Population and Human Health: Shadow Flicker and EMF Mitigation measures can be incorporated into the operation of the wind farm to Project design stage reduce the instance of shadow flicker such as planting tree belts between affected EIA stage Wind Shadow flicker O dwelling and the turbines, installing blinds at the affected dwellings, or automatic Project installation Other shutting down individual turbines during periods when shadow flicker could Project operation and theoretically occur. maintenance Wind Cable configuration and orientation can reduce field strength. Electro and Magnetic Biomass Project design stage O Where overhead lines (and cables) installed, identify routes that maximise distances Fields (EMF) Other EIA stage from properties where practical and possible. grid Material Assets Wind Site selection stage Biomass Consultation with the relevant regulatory body would be required prior to siting of any Land use COD Project design stage Other renewable developments Project EIA stage grid Mineral Wind Consult with relevant bodies to identify potential areas of mineral and aggregate Site selection stage Resource/Aggregats COD Biomass resource and identify options for development in areas of potential resources. Project design stage and Forestry Consultation with the relevant regulatory body would be required prior to siting of any Site selection stage Commercial and Wind COD renewable development Project design stage Residential Property biomass CD Project EIA stage
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Developm Potential Effect Technology Suggested Project Level Mitigation Measures Timescale ent Phase When identifying possible sites for development it will be necessary for developers to consult NATS and the CAA to identify whether the proposed development lies within a ‘potential to interfere’ area or is within any 30km consultation areas applied to airports and other aerodromes. Site selection stage Radar and Consultation is required with a range of telecommunications and other operators to Project design stage Wind electromagnetic O identify where links exist and determine whether a development would interfere with Project EIA stage other interference those links. Project installation stage Ensure wind devices are lit with aviation lights Project operation Consultation with the IAA will be required and the location of wind devices supplied so they can be accurately plotted on the radar and any signals received from that area will not be confused with aeroplanes. Wind Assessment of agricultural land potential in proposed area of development Site selection stage Agriculture Biomass O Assessment of the socio-economic effects of change in land use from agricultural Project design stage Other uses to renewable energy uses. EIA stage Carry out assessment of telecommunications links in the proposed area of development. Site selection stage Impacts on Consultation with necessary TV and other communications providers to identify Wind O Project design stage Communication Links essential links and assess potential for effects on these links. EIA stage Explore options for changing the layout or configuration of proposed wind farm or siting of individual turbines to reduce potential effects on communications links. Climatic Factors Wind Carbon footprint of Biomass Assessment of CO 2 production as part of the production and transportation of Project design stage CD construction activities Other development components/machinery/use of equipment. EIA stage grid Energy use and emissions due to the Wind Assessment of CO 2 production from operation of the development (mainly biomass) Project design stage O whole life-cycle of the Biomass Assessment of CO 2 production from the transportation of raw fuel sources. EIA stage fuel stream Indirect effects due to Biomass O Assessment of emissions from production of biomass crops. Project design stage changes in land use * C = Construction, O = Operation, D = Decommissioning
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10 Monitoring
10.1 Introduction
It is a requirement of the SEA Directive and The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2004 that the responsible authority (in this case DETI) monitors the significant effects of the implementation of the plan or programme for which it has carried out the assessment. Part IV (16) of the Regulations states that the responsible authority ‘shall monitor the significant environmental effects of the implementation of each plan or programme with the purpose of identifying unforeseen adverse effects at an early stage and undertaking appropriate remedial action’. This chapter of the SEA sets out the proposed monitoring framework required as part of the overall SEA. Following consultation the monitoring framework will be reviewed and finalised in the post-adoption SEA Statement.
10.2 Purpose of the Monitoring Framework
The main focus of the monitoring framework is to set out measures that could be used by DETI to monitor the implementation of the OREAP and the effects that it has on the environment. Monitoring is an ongoing process which is undertaken throughout the lifetime of the plan. The information gathered through monitoring will assist the relevant local authorities in identifying and mitigating the environmental effects of implementing the adopted plan. If adverse effects are identified, these can be addressed by altering the way in which the plan is implemented. The uncertainties associated with high level, strategic assessment make monitoring all the more important. Monitoring allows for periodic checks to confirm the accuracy of the assumptions on which the original assessment was based and to ensure that the proposed mitigation measures remain relevant and are being effectively implemented. Monitoring is therefore closely linked to the proposed mitigation measures set out in Chapter 9. Monitoring should measure the following: A change in environmental baseline that will indicate the effects of the plan; The significant effects that have been identified during this assessment; Whether the mitigation measures proposed to offset or reduce the significant effects have been implemented and are effective; and Any unforeseen impacts that have occurred
10.3 Monitoring the SEA and OREAP
The main focus of the OREAP is to signal Government support to the growth of the renewable energy industry whilst acknowledging that this growth needs to be delivered and managed in a sustainable way which minimises adverse effects on the environment and other land users. It does this by identifying a number of high level strategic generation scenarios for a range of technologies, various combinations of which could be taken forward in order to contribute towards meeting the 40% target for renewable energy set out in the SEF. The OREAP does not set targets for development (e.g. levels of MW) that have to be delivered for each technology and it does not designated areas/locations for development or identify exclusion areas. The OREAP should therefore be viewed as a statement of the support for renewable energy development rather than an action for plan for the delivery of specific renewable energy projects. The monitoring framework therefore needs to focus on monitoring the effectiveness of the OREAP in promoting onshore renewable energy developments in a way
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that minimises adverse effects on the environment, rather than monitoring individual projects. However, due to the high level nature of the OREAP and the uncertainty that surrounds its implementation, until further studies have been carried out it has not been possible to present a detailed monitoring strategy based on specific indicators and targets. Monitoring should instead be tightly linked to the implementation of the plan level mitigation measures/actions set out in Chapter 9 and the OREAP.
10.4 Direct Monitoring of Plan Level Mitigation Measures (Actions)
Each of the actions developed as part of the plan level mitigation (Chapter 9) have specific deliverables which will need to be achieved in order the mitigation measures to be effective. The suggested approach to the monitoring of the plan level mitigation measures is therefore based on carrying out periodic reviews against the timescales for the delivery of the individual actions. Where actions have not been delivered, reasons for non-delivery will need to be identified, including the implications for individual projects. Actions for onshore wind are underpinned with monitoring and reviewing the ongoing development of onshore wind projects in order to identify where potential significant adverse cumulative effect could occur. The necessity of establishing this monitoring programme (Action 2) is highlighted below in terms of the timescales for delivering these core Actions. Suggested deliverables to be monitored for each of the actions and related timescales for their delivery are presented in Table 10.1 below. Table 10.1: Monitoring Framework Timescales (from Plan Action Deliverables to Monitor Adoption) Identify capacity studies to be carried out. Identify studies required to fill data gaps. Capacity studies should be localised where appropriate to allow transmission and distribution networks to be monitored at specific locations throughout the country and linked to Action 1: Action 2 where appropriate; 6 months Capacity Studies and Data Gaps Agree responsibility for delivery of the capacity studies/data for Onshore gaps. Wind Develop specifications for the capacity studies and data studies.
Commissioning and delivery of the studies. 6 to 12 months
Develop a monitoring programme based on the capacity studies prepared under Action 1. Identify priority areas where monitoring should be focused Monitoring Programmes based on current and potential future levels of development. 6 - 12 months Action 2: Monitoring studies to be linked to and based upon Monitoring and comments in Action 1. Review of Continuous to 2020 , in Onshore Wind liaison with planning Monitoring onshore wind farm developments. Developments authorities Real-time monitoring of onshore wind planning applications
and their current status i.e. active, inactive, withdrawn
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Timescales (from Plan Action Deliverables to Monitor Adoption)
DETI to work with SONI and NIE (through the RIDP) to develop appropriate policy frameworks to enable ongoing development of the transmission network. Policy frameworks should consider and incorporate (for each area identified in the capacity studies in Action 1): 1) Where transmission upgrades are required; 2) Type of transmission strengthening needed (new transmission lines / cables, upgrades to existing transmission lines / cables, new / upgraded subststions); 3) Which policy agreements that can be published which specifically relate to the transmission network and what Action 3: upgrades can realistically take place; Transmission 4) What measures the RIDP may suggest in order to meet 0 to 18 months and Distribution both policy requirements and actual governmental Network targets already agreed. DETI to work with SONI and NIE to develop appropriate policy frameworks to enable ongoing development of the distribution network. This will be achieved by; 1) An overview report of small scale renewable generation for each renewable electricity in each county (derived from previous studies) to inform any future policy on distribution network improvements; 2) Determination of the type of upgrades required on distribution networks specifically outlined within policies. 3) Setting objectives for the distribution network that will ensure linkage with transmission policy targets of the grid in Northern Ireland and within the Republic of Ireland.
Action 4: Coordination DETI to ensure coordination of the delivery of the OREAP between the Ongoing and the ORESAP. OREAP and ORESAP Action 5: DETI to include specific statements in the OREAP illustrating Compliance with its commitment to requiring all developments taken forward EU EIA and Immediate under the OREAP to comply with the EIA Directive and NI Habitats Regulations and the Habitats Directive. Directives
10.1 Monitoring Environmental Receptors
In addition to monitoring the delivery of the Actions set out in the OREAP it is also necessary to carry out ongoing monitoring of the key receptors (SEA topics) where the assessment identified likely significant adverse effects could occur. However, due to the uncertainties in terms of where future developments will be located and the precise nature of those developments e.g. type of technology and scale of development, the requirements for monitoring presented below are very high level.
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Table 10.2: Suggested Monitoring Measures for SEA Topics
SEA Topic Proposed Measures Protected sites and species are monitored with regards to their conservation objectives. Biodiversity Flora and Any increase in unfavourable/favourable conditions will be monitored in conjunction with Fauna the implementation of renewable energy developments as well as any habitat loss/increase.
Potential effects of onshore renewable energy developments on landscape character Landscape and visual and visual amenity should be directly linked to the capacity studies for onshore wind identified in Action 1 of the plan level mitigation strategy.
Archaeology and Historical sites (monuments listed buildings, archaeological sites etc) should be Historic Built appropriately documented where they are lost or relocated as a result of the Environment implementation of onshore renewable energy developments.
Water quality will be monitored by the NIEA under the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Where the implementation of onshore renewable energy Water devices will result in modifications to services associated with infrastructure such as sewers or pumping stations further studies should be carried out to ensure these are not impacting on the water quality of water features within Northern Ireland.
The condition and quality of designated sites of geological importance (ASSIs) is Soils subject to ongoing monitoring. This should be reviewed in conjunction with the implementation of onshore renewable energy developments.
Potential effects on noise levels, local air quality, waste and shadow flicker associated Population and Human with construction activities and the operation of onshore renewable energy projects Health would need to monitored as projects progress, especially where a number of projects are clustered in the same area/location. Potential effects on material assets (land use, agricultural land, mineral resources, Material Assets business / private property, forestry) associated with construction activities and the operation of renewable energy projects would need to monitored. As developments progress, the carbon offset/emissions of various technologies should be monitored in order with regard ensuring developments contribute towards reducing Climatic Factors CO 2 emissions. This is of particular importance for biomass developments where the transportation of biomass fuels could potentially lead to increased CO 2 emissions.
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11 References
Action Renewables, 2008, Report on the potential for Deep 'Geothermal Energy in Northern Ireland . AECOM (2009) ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland AEA (2008) Executive Summary of a Report on the Assessment of the Potential Bioenergy Development in Northern Ireland. ARUP (2009) ‘Establishment of Northern Ireland Renewable Electricity Targets to 2020’ Council Directive 92/43/EEC of May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora available at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1992L0043:20070101:EN:HTML 14th September 2011. DARD (2010). ‘DARD Renewable Energy Action Plan 2010: Renewable Energy in the Land Based Sector: A way forward. ‘ DARD (2011). Personal Communication on DARD Renewable Energy Policy related to electricity from biomass (23 August 2011). DCENR (2010) Draft Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) Version 1.3 Public Consultation available at http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/2990B205-534E-486E-8586- 346A6770D4B6/0/Draft_13_OREDPWebversion.pdf 14th September 2011 DEFRA (2007) The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Volume 1) available at http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/air/airquality/strategy/documents/air-qualitystrategy-vol1.pdf 14th September 2011 DETI (2011) Bioenergy Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2010 – 2015 available at http://www.detini.gov.uk/bioenergy_action_plan_for_northern_ireland_2010_-_2015_-_final-2.pdf 14th September 2011 DETI (2009) Consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 available at http://www.offshorenergyni.co.uk/Data/Draft_Strategic_Action_Plan.pdf 14th September 2011 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (codified version) available at http://eur- lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:020:0007:0025:EN:PDF 14th September 2011. DOE Planning Service Wind Farm details July 2010. Available at http://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/advice/advice_apply/advice_renewable_energy/renewable_wind_farms.htm 10 August 2011 DoE Planning Service, 2009, Northern Ireland Housing Land Availability Summary Report DoE Planning Service (1993) A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland available at http://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy/policy_publications/rural_strategy.htm 14th September 2011 DoE Planning and Environmental Policy Group (2009) Planning Policy Statement 18 Renewable Energy DoE Planning and Environmental Policy Group (2009) Best Practice Guidance to Planning Policy Statement 18 ‘Renewable Energy’ Dickson and Fanelli (2004) ‘What is Geothermal Energy?’
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DRD (2001) Shaping our Future – Regional Development Strategy for Northern Ireland 2025, available at http://applications.drdni.gov.uk/publications/document.asp?docid=5567 http://www.detini.gov.uk/bioenergy_action_plan_for_northern_ireland_2010_-_2015_-_final-2.pdf 14th September 2011 DRD (2011) Shaping our Future – Regional Development Strategy Consultation 10 year review available at http://www.drdni.gov.uk/draft_revised_regional_development_strategy_jan_2011.pdf 14th September 2011 Energy Saving Trust (2007) Renewable Energy Northern Ireland Case Studies NIE: (2011) Large Scale Onshore Wind Summary, September 2011. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, (2004), ‘Planning for Waste Management Facilities: A Research Study’ SEPA Waste Fact Sheets. http://www.sepa.org.uk/waste/information__resources/resources.aspx . Visited 9.11.10 Health Projection Scotland (2009) Incineration of Waste and Reported Human Health Effects SEPA (2009) Thermal treatment of waste guidelines Web-Sites: International Geothermal Association. http://www.geothermal-energy.org/ Renewable Energy Policy Project. http://www.repp.org/index.html http://www.geothermieprojekte.de/pilot-project-unterhaching/power-generation-facility# http://www.sepa.org.uk/waste/information__resources/resources.aspx