Abstract
Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Limited (NnGOWL) recently completed an unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance campaign within the boundaries of the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) Offshore Wind Farm Area and Export Cable Corridor to prepare for construction activities.
Condition 3.5.4, ‘Monitoring Report’, of the Marine Licence states that: “The Licensee must submit a final Monitoring Report, including any associated raw data, to the Licensing Authority, SNH and Marine Scotland Science no later than five months (or such other period as is agreed in writing by the Licensing Authority) following the Completion of the Licensed Activities.
The Monitoring Report must:
• predict the source level of UXO detonations;
• characterise the propagation of noise from UXO detonations in the offshore environment;
• assess how variations associated with the condition, location, age, type of UXO and environmental factors relate to noise emissions;
• examine any changes in impulsive characteristics of UXO detonation noise with increasing distance from the source;
• compare the modelled impact ranges; and
• calculate weighted sound exposure level
The Licensee must ensure full details of the recording equipment, deployment configuration, method of detonation and environmental data (sound speed profile of the water column, wind speed, significant wave height, tidal state, precipitation and presence of vessels within 10 km) is reported, alongside each measurement, in the Monitoring Report. Details of each UXO detonation (sequence in detonation, size, type, age, condition, position, burial, depth and donor charge used) must also be included in the Monitoring Report.