Abstract
In the report ‘Future Offshore’ (DTI, 2002), it was proposed that an announcement of a second competition for site leases (second licensing round), for offshore windfarms, would be made in Spring, 2003. This competition will focus on three Strategic Areas. These have been identified and defined borders that, in certain localities, cross the boundary of UK territorial waters (Figure 1, Annex 2). To assist decision-making on the design and terms of the competition the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has commissioned a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in line with the requirements of the ‘SEA’ Directive1. The SEA has resulted in preparation of this Environmental Report on the proposals.
The need for the development of renewable energy generation in the UK, including wind energy, mainly arises from the requirement to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The United Nations “Earth Summit” in 1992, established the need to control greenhouse gases, recognising the growing concerns of rising levels of global warming and pollution. In February 2003, the Government released an energy white paper promoting the reduction of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions - the main contributor to global warming by some 60% by about 2050 with expectations of real progress by 2020.