THETIS Energy Ltd Proposed Torr Head Tidal Scheme Environmental Scoping Report September 2009 THETIS Scoping Report (Final).docx © Copyright THETIS Energy Ltd, September 2009 Environmental Scoping Report Proposed Torr Head Tidal Scheme This page is intentionally blank Environmental Scoping Report Proposed Torr Head Tidal Scheme Preface This Scoping Report has been produced for a consortium (THETIS Energy Ltd) comprising three companies: Statkraft UK Ltd (which is part of the Statkraft Group of Norway), B9 Energy Offshore Developments Ltd and Deepblue Renewables Ltd. The three companies have formed the consortium in order to examine the viability of establishing a commercial marine current tidal energy scheme in waters off the coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This report has been produced for THETIS Energy Ltd with specialist contributions from RPS Group plc and Project Management Support Services Ltd (“PMSS”). This report follows on from a series of initial meetings and correspondence held to establish the scope of environmental studies for assessing the impact of the proposed tidal scheme. It is issued for consultation. Electronic copies in pdf format can be downloaded from www.ThetisEnergy.com. Further hard copies of this report can be obtained from B9 Energy Offshore Developments Ltd at the address below: B9 Energy Offshore Developments Ltd 133c High Street Holywood BT18 9LG Email: [email protected] September 2009 Copyright declaration under copyright licence 13701: The extract of Admiralty Chart (Figure 5 on page 9) is reproduced by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office and the UK Hydrographic Office (www.ukho.gov.uk). Page i Environmental Scoping Report Proposed Torr Head Tidal Scheme Contents 1 Background Information ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 2 Legislative and Policy Context ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 3 Project Outline .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 4 Physical Environment ................................................................................................................................................................... 21 5 Biological Environment ................................................................................................................................................................ 29 6 Human Environment ................................................................................................................................................................... 41 7 Cumulative Impacts ..................................................................................................................................................................... 55 Figures Figure 1: Environmental Assessment Flowchart ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Figure 2: Development area refinement process ..........................................................................................................................................8 Figure 3: Area of potential for commercial marine tidal projects ..................................................................................................................8 Figure 4: Initial area for preliminary analysis and scoping .............................................................................................................................9 Figure 5: Final area for preliminary analysis and scoping .............................................................................................................................. 9 Figure 6: Variation in Spring – Neap cycle for tide height at Portrush .........................................................................................................10 Figure 7: Typical tidal conditions expected at mid-ebb within the North Channel ........................................................................................11 Figure 8: Wind Speed Distribution in the North Channel ............................................................................................................................11 Figure 9: Bathymetry of region ................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Figure 10: Illustrative drawing showing marine tidal turbine components. ................................................................................................. 13 Figure 11: Different turbine concept options .............................................................................................................................................14 Figure 12: Analysis and comparison of support structure concepts for tidal stream turbines [] .....................................................................14 Figure 13: Illustrative schematic layout of project and turbine arrays .......................................................................................................... 15 Figure 14: Seabed Sediments (OneGeology website, 2009) ........................................................................................................................21 Figure 15: Torr Head Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) .....................................................................................................................23 Figure 16: Extract of 1:250,000 Solid Geology Map of Northern Ireland (GIS data courtesy of GSNI) ...........................................................24 Figure 17: Extract of 1:250,000 Drift Geology Map of Northern Ireland (GIS data courtesy of GSNI) ............................................................ 24 Figure 18: Torr Head headland showing exposed geological features of national and international importance ........................................... 24 Figure 19: Rathlin Island Special Protection Area .......................................................................................................................................29 Figure 20: Extent of RoxAnn survey within the area of investigation ...........................................................................................................35 Figure 21: Salmonid spawning rivers.........................................................................................................................................................39 Figure 22: Main Potting Activity along the Antrim Coastline (GIS data supplied by AFBI) .............................................................................44 Figure 23: Main Trawling Activity along the Antrim Coastline (GIS data supplied by AFBI) ...........................................................................45 Figure 24: Antrim Coast and Glens AONB (outlined in purple on map) .......................................................................................................46 Figure 25: Fair Head Landscape Character Area .........................................................................................................................................47 Figure 26: Archaeological Sites in Vicinity of Torr Head .............................................................................................................................. 49 Figure 27: Known Shipwrecks in Vicinity of Torr Head ...............................................................................................................................50 Figure 28: Antrim Coast and Glens (waymarked tracks) ............................................................................................................................. 52 Tables Table 1: Scoping opinion consultees ...........................................................................................................................................................3 Table 2: Co-ordinates of final area for preliminary analysis and scoping ......................................................................................................10 Table 3: Turbine and nacelle characteristics ...............................................................................................................................................13 Table 4: Relevant coastal processes guidance documents ...........................................................................................................................23 Table 5: Relevant geology guidance documents ........................................................................................................................................25 Table 6: Relevant noise guidance documents ............................................................................................................................................28 Table 7: Relevant conservation guidance documents ................................................................................................................................. 30 Table 8: Relevant ornithology guidance documents ...................................................................................................................................32 Table