Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Accepted
Effective marine spatial planning essential for balancing habitat protection and offshore energy development.
Conclusion
Effective marine spatial planning will be essential to balance the protection of marine and coastal habitats with the accelerated development of offshore energy infrastructure. (Conclusion, Paragraph 80)
Government Response Summary
The government states it has developed the Marine Spatial Prioritisation (MSPri) Programme to strategically consider seabed use and inform future offshore wind area identification while avoiding sensitive areas, and the SSEP will also serve as a marine spatial planning tool.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Government, using the Marine Spatial Prioritisation (MSPri) Programme, has developed a more strategic way of considering the use of the seabed by identifying priorities in different locations (in English waters). This will inform The Crown Estate’s (TCE) spatial refinement ahead of identifying future offshore wind areas, while avoiding the most environmentally sensitive areas (including for birds) and minimising impacts on areas being used for other activities that are important for other government priorities (e.g. fisheries). TCE and DESNZ will continue to engage with offshore wind developers ahead of leasing areas being identified. The SSEP will consider marine zones as well as terrestrial, so will be an important marine spatial planning tool post-2030.