TY - JOUR
TI - A comparative insight of Irish and Scottish regulatory frameworks for offshore wind energy – An expert perspective
AU - O'Hanlon, Z
AU - Cummins, V
T2 - Marine Policy
AB - Occupying a vast marine resource, Ireland has significant potential to develop an offshore wind sector. This research investigates the key enablers and constraints to achieving that objective, using Scotland as a jurisdiction for comparative analysis. Scotland was chosen for comparative analysis due to the presence of Marine Scotland as a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ (OSS) for project consenting, its track record in scaling and growing the offshore wind sector, especially in the last decade, and innovative advances in the generation of floating wind. The research utilises a qualitative method through 25 semi-structured interviews with experts selected from industry and policy. Enablers and constraints to offshore wind development were identified for both Scotland and Ireland. These included policy, consenting, organisational structures, decision making pathways and timelines, skills, subsidies, investment in infrastructure, and uncertainty caused by Brexit. Following analysis of these factors, the research notes four recommendations for progressing the Irish offshore wind sector, which include: i). a government policy statement on offshore wind, ii). enactment of foreshore legislation to enable project development, iii). increased integration and resourcing across government departments, and iv). increased capacity building (knowledge generation and engagement of stakeholders).
DA - 2020/07//
PY - 2020
VL - 117
SP - 12
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X1930418X
DO - 10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103934
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Birds
KW - Seabirds
ER -