Neart na Gaoithe Proposed Offshore Wind Farm Scoping Report November 2009 Proposed Offshore Wind Farm Scoping Report: Neart na Gaoithe Document Release and Authorisation Record Job No: J/1/06/1419 Report No: 09/J/1/06/1419/0848 Version: 1 Date: November 2009 Client Name: Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Ltd Status: Final Client Contact(s): Cameron Smith Zoe Crutchfield QA Name Signature Date 10th November Project Manager Bruce Tomlinson 2009 Genevra Harker 10th November Report written by 2009 Rosie Buse 10th November Report checked by Steven Freeman 2009 10th November Report authorised by Bruce Tomlinson 2009 Project website: www.neartnagaoithe.com i| Page Table of Contents Proposed Offshore Wind Farm Scoping Report: Neart na Gaoithe .................................................................... i Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................................. i Table of Figures ............................................................................................................................................. vii Table of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ ix Acronyms .......................................................................................................................................................... i Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2 1.1 Background Information ................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd and Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Ltd ............................... 2 1.3 Emu Limited .................................................................................................................................. 2 1.4 Scoping Document ......................................................................................................................... 3 1.4.1 Aims of Document .......................................................................................................................... 3 1.4.2 Get Involved .................................................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Site Selection ................................................................................................................................. 4 1.6 Consultation .................................................................................................................................. 8 2 Legislative Framework ............................................................................................................................. 9 2.1 The Need for Offshore Wind in Scotland ....................................................................................... 9 2.2 Scottish Offshore Wind Policy ....................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Scottish Territorial Wind Farms .................................................................................................... 10 2.2.2 Strategic Environmental Assessment in Scottish Territorial Waters ............................................ 11 2.3 Regional Policy ............................................................................................................................ 11 3 Project Description ................................................................................................................................ 13 3.1 Site Location ................................................................................................................................ 13 3.2 Wind Resource ............................................................................................................................ 13 3.3 Development Details ................................................................................................................... 14 3.4 Planning and Consent for Neart na Gaoithe ................................................................................. 15 3.4.1 Navigation Rights .......................................................................................................................... 17 3.5 Engineering Considerations ......................................................................................................... 17 3.6 Grid Connection ........................................................................................................................... 18 3.6.1 Offshore Cable Route .................................................................................................................... 18 3.6.2 Onshore Substation ...................................................................................................................... 19 3.7 Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring of Performance ........................................................... 20 i| Page 4 Physical Environment ............................................................................................................................ 21 4.1 Metocean .................................................................................................................................... 21 4.1.1 General Description ...................................................................................................................... 21 4.1.2 Available Data ............................................................................................................................... 21 4.1.3 Method of Assessment ................................................................................................................. 23 4.1.4 Further Requirements................................................................................................................... 23 4.1.5 Potential Mitigation and Monitoring ............................................................................................ 23 4.1.6 Cumulative Impacts ...................................................................................................................... 23 4.2 Bathymetry ................................................................................................................................. 24 4.2.1 General Description ...................................................................................................................... 24 4.2.2 Available Data ............................................................................................................................... 24 4.2.3 Method of Assessment ................................................................................................................. 24 4.2.4 Further Requirements................................................................................................................... 27 4.2.5 Potential Mitigation and Monitoring ............................................................................................ 27 4.2.6 Cumulative Impacts ...................................................................................................................... 27 4.3 Geology ....................................................................................................................................... 27 4.3.1 General Description ...................................................................................................................... 27 4.3.2 Available Data ............................................................................................................................... 28 4.3.3 Method of Assessment ................................................................................................................. 28 4.3.4 Further Requirements................................................................................................................... 28 4.3.5 Potential Mitigation and Monitoring ............................................................................................ 28 4.3.6 Cumulative Impacts ...................................................................................................................... 28 4.4 Seabed Sediments and Bedforms ................................................................................................ 29 4.4.1 General Description ...................................................................................................................... 29 4.4.2 Available Data ............................................................................................................................... 29 4.4.3 Method of Assessment ................................................................................................................. 29 4.4.4 Further Requirements................................................................................................................... 30 4.4.5 Potential Mitigation and Monitoring ............................................................................................ 30 4.4.6 Cumulative Impacts ...................................................................................................................... 30 4.5 Sediment Transport