Offshore wind energy – sectoral marine plan: further research for social impact assessment

Appendix A: Selection of coastal locations for primary research

Aberdeenshire, Stonehaven

Urban/ Rural

Stonehaven is an accessible rural area.

Density of OWF

There are two operational OWF in direct proximity (Aberdeen Bay and Kincardine).

Stages of OWF

A high number of ScotWind leases have been granted for fixed and floating projects in vicinity:

• Fixed ScotWind 1 lease: Thistle Wind. BP and EnBW
• Floating SwotWind 1 lease: SSE Renewables, CIP and Marubeni, Falck Renewables and BlueFloat Energy, ScottishPower Renewables and Shell, and Vattenfall and Fred Olsen Renewables

Socio-economic relevance

Significant effects are expected for ports in the North/ Northeast including expected impact on the fishing industry and communities, and changes in employment. Impacts on housing and provision of services due to increased volume of workers are also expected.

Dundee City

Urban/ Rural

Dundee City is a large urban area

Density of OWF

No OWF is in operational in direct proximity.

Stages of OWF

Two developments consented in direct vicinity:

• Seagreen 1a (consented but subject to amendment application, expected commissioning date 2024)
• Inch Cape (expected commissioning date 2024/25, consented with CfD application pending)

Under construction:

• Seagreen 1 under with expected commissioning date 2023
• Neart na Gaoithe with expected commissioning date 2023

Socio-economic relevance

Significant distributional effects for Dundee and other larger towns and ports with regards to effects on their housing market are expected, alongisde an increase in commuting to cities with good transport links such as Aberdeen or Dundee. Better paid jobs due to OWF may have knock-on impacts in terms of indirect and induced jobs, with potentially greater positive effects where there are concentrations of jobs, such as in Aberdeen or Dundee.

Buckie, Moray

Urban/ Rural

Buckie is identified as 10 miles east and west along coastline including Portessie, Findochty, Cullen, Portknockie, Lintmill, Kingston, Spey Bay, Portgordon, and is an accessible/ remote rural area.

Density of OWF

Operational OWF in proximity include Beatrice and Moray East

Stages of OWF

Consented:

• Moray West (expected commissioning date 2024/25; CfD application pending);

Lease granted Scotwind 1 fixed:

Ocean Winds (Caledonia);

Lease granted Scotwind 1 floating in wider area for:

2x Renantis, Orsted, BlueFloat Energy (Broadshore, Stromar)

Floating Energy Allyance (Buchan)

Scottish Power Renewables and Shell (Marram Wind)

INTOG Leasing:

BlueFloat Energy/Renantis Partnership

Socio-economic relevance

Potential impact through new infrastructure required (e.g., cables to substations) and an important fishing grounds in the Moray Firth have already been affected by OWF and associated cabling.

Western Isles

Urban/ Rural

The Western Isles, including Lewis and Harris, is a very remote rural island.

Density of OWF

No OWF operational in direct vicinity.

Stages of OWF

Lease granted ScotWind 1 fixed:

Spiorad na Mara (Northland Power);

Lease granted ScotWind 1 floating:

Talisk (Magnora) and

Havbredey (Northland Power)

Socio-economic relevance

SEIAs mentions potential impacts due to tourism, recreation and fishing.

Orkney Islands

Urban/ Rural

Orkney Islands, inclusive of the whole local authority, is a very remote island.

Density of OWF

No OWF operational in direct vicinity.

Stages of OWF

Lease granted ScotWind 1 fixed:

RIDG, Corio Generation and Total Energies (West of Orkney)

Lease granted ScotWind 1 floating:

Thistle Wind Partners (Ayre)

Renantis, Orsted, BlueFloat Energy (Stromar)

Socio-economic relevance

Potential distributional impacts on fisheries, including landings and associated employment; in addition to large social impacts anticipated to the east and west due to the European Marine Energy Centre and Orkney taking on the role of an OWF hub.