Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 33
33
Accepted
Strategically coordinated approach needed for offshore wind environmental impact assessments.
Conclusion
There is a clear, recognised need for a more strategically coordinated approach to environmental impact assessments in the offshore wind sector. (Conclusion, Paragraph 81)
Government Response Summary
The government details multiple initiatives like the MSPri, SSEP, and the Offshore Wind Environmental Improvement Package (OWEIP), which introduces strategic reforms, a Marine Recovery Fund, and new environmental standards, to achieve a coordinated approach to offshore wind deployment and environmental protection.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The UK government is taking a coordinated and strategic approach to managing the seabed and accelerating offshore wind deployment, while ensuring environmental protection and efficient use of marine space. Through the MSPri, we are identifying priority areas for seabed use in English waters. This spatial understanding will guide TCE’s refinement of future offshore wind leasing areas, helping to avoid the most environmentally sensitive locations and reduce conflicts with other key marine activities. Building on this, the SSEP will provide a GB-wide, long-term view of where and how electricity and hydrogen infrastructure—both generation and storage—can be developed. It will model a range of plausible futures, integrating environmental constraints and cross-sectoral demands on land and sea, ensuring that energy infrastructure planning aligns with broader spatial priorities. The SSEP will be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment, a Habitats Regulations Assessment and a Marine Conservation Zone assessment. The MSPri and SSEP will build on the work of TCE’s Marine Delivery Routemap, published in September 2024, which adopts a Whole of Seabed approach to marine mapping and future leasing. This holistic framework supports a better understanding of the trade-offs and synergies across different marine uses. We will continue to work closely with TCE to ensure this evolving work creates a joined-up approach to sustainable offshore wind development. To address environmental challenges that can delay offshore wind projects, we are also implementing the Offshore Wind Environmental Improvement Package (OWEIP), led by the Defra. This package introduces strategic reforms to the environmental assessment process, including the creation of a Marine Recovery Fund, a library of strategic compensation measures, and new environmental standards. These measures will streamline consenting, reduce delays, and provide developers with greater flexibility, all while safeguarding marine ecosystems.