Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment 4 Scoping (2021)

The IET welcomes the opportunity to comment on the BEIS Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) draft plan/programme.

In March 2021, the IET published its first report in the ‘IET Lighthouse series’ which considers the wider coordination of the offshore energy system; Offshore energy infrastructure landscaping – UK and neighbouring waters.

The IET Energy Policy Panel response includes

• The role of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) balances the needs for development and environmental protection, and has many synergies with the IET Lighthouse landscape project
• A coordinated approach, which encompasses all technologies; systems, distribution and landing points is essential to achieve the Net Zero energy transition
• There are a number of key interfaces between licensing (SEA) and other ‘consented’ factors

The IET offshore landscaping report focused on energy. However, in this time of climate and nature emergency, the findings have clear synergies with the broader SEA offshore environmental scope.

In brief our findings are

• A shared interest in the optimum use of the offshore resource; the need for close collaboration and essential consensus across multiple regulatory and market frameworks.
• Suitable incentives must be identified to engage all industries/sectors.
• The Baltic experience has shown that, with good coordination, appropriate legislation and proper planning, coordinated systems are achievable.
• The offshore space is limited, and under heavy demand for use and protection – aiming for a more joined-up and holistic approach.
• It is imperative to differentiate between offshore site finding, planning and optimum onshore connection points,