UK Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment 4 (OESEA4)

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (the Department) is conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of a draft plan/programme for further leasing for renewable energy (offshore wind, wave and tidal technologies), further licensing for offshore oil and gas exploration and production, and further leasing/licensing for hydrocarbon gas storage and unloading, carbon dioxide transportation and storage, and the offshore production and transport of hydrogen.

The renewable energy elements of the draft plan/programme cover parts of the UK Exclusive Economic Zone and the territorial waters of England and Wales; for hydrocarbon gas and carbon dioxide storage it applies to UK waters (relevant territorial waters and the UK Exclusive Economic Zone); and for hydrocarbon exploration and production it applies to all UK waters.

The SEA Environmental Report is being subject to consultation with the relevant consultation bodies and the public. The Department will consider comments received from the consultation in making their decision on the adoption of the draft plan/programme.

Below is a list of key documents published as part of the OESEA4 consultation process.

• Environmental Report – Main assessment of potential environmental effects.
• Appendix 1: Environmental Baseline Cover and Contents
  • Appendix 1a.1 Plankton
  • Appendix 1a.2 Benthos
  • Appendix 1a.3 Cephalopods
  • Appendix 1a.4 Fish & Shellfish
  • Appendix 1a.5 Birds
  • Appendix 1a.6 Marine Reptiles
  • Appendix 1a.7 Bats
  • Appendix 1a.8 Marine mammals
  • Appendix 1b: Geology, Substrates & Coastal Processes
  • Appendix 1c: Landscape & Seascape
  • Appendix 1d: Water Environment
  • Appendix 1e: Air Quality
  • Appendix 1f: Climate & Meteorology
  • Appendix 1g: Population & Human Health
  • Appendix 1h: Other Users
  • Appendix 1i: Cultural Heritage
  • Appendix 1j: Conservation
• Appendix 2: Other relevant initiatives
• Appendix 3: Existing Controls
• Appendix 4: Stakeholder Workshops
• OESEA4 Consultation Feedback
• OESEA4 Public Consultation Government Response