Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 43
43
Accepted
Amend guidance to clarify precise expectations regarding inter-array wake effect minimisation.
Recommendation
To provide greater certainty, the Government should amend the guidance to clarify precisely what is expected. (Recommendation, Paragraph 100)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges concerns about the clarity of guidance on inter-array wake effects and has revised the relevant paragraph to state: "Applicants should demonstrate they have made reasonable endeavours to mitigate the impact of wake effects on other offshore wind generating stations."
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We acknowledge the Committee’s concerns and recognise that views on mitigating wake effects vary across the offshore wind sector. The perspective shared with the Committee reflects some developers’ views but not an industry consensus. Our discussions with a broad range of developers suggest general agreement that mitigating wake effects is challenging without reducing overall energy output. The Committee noted a lack of clarity in the wording requiring developers to take “all reasonable steps to minimise” wake effects “as far as possible”. In response, we have revised the paragraph to state: “Applicants should demonstrate they have made reasonable endeavours to mitigate the impact of wake effects on other offshore wind generating stations.”