Offshore Renewable Energy Developments 

RYA Scotland works closely with the RYA with regard to the development of offshore renewables.

However, many of the issues are devolved. We work with our colleagues in Hamble and with the relevant statutory authorities and stakeholders in Scotland including Marine Scotland and the Northern Lighthouse Board as well as with developers and their consultants. Our priority has been to limit any adverse impacts of marine renewable developments on navigational safety of recreational boating around the coast whilst being alert to any possible benefits that might accrue. Marine Scotland sends us all licence applications for marine renewables and we respond to all of them, drawing on the specific local knowledge of our network of coastwatchers. In fact, by the time a licence application is submitted we may have already been involved at three stages, the overall Scottish wind, wave and tidal plans (currently being developed), the identification of key issues to be addressed (scoping), and attendance at Navigational Risk Assessment meetings. Note that the awarding of an exclusivity agreement by the Crown Estate does not imply that consent will necessarily be given.

Local meetings are often held in connection with developers and you are encouraged to attend, as there may be local issues that RYA Scotland is unaware of. Please keep RYA Scotland informed of any such issues so that we can best support you. While we are well aware of all the large schemes, small wave and tidal schemes may be proposed and it is important that we are alerted as soon as possible.

To support our case, RYA has published the UK Coastal Atlas of Recreational Boating, now in its second edition and the third edition of the position papers on wind, wave and tidal offshore renewable Energy Installations (March 2012). These are well used by Marine Scotland and by Developers.

Dr G Russell

RYA Scotland Planning and Environment Officer
consultations@ryascotland.org.uk