A report published by the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) has set out measures to ensure that the management of underwater noise can be better coordinated among the different industries operating in the North Sea.
The Underwater Noise Conflict Resolution Framework Report, produced by Xodus Group for OWIC, highlights the evolving variety of seabed users working under different regulatory regimes to deliver offshore wind, oil and gas and carbon capture and storage projects.
Activities include conducting underwater surveys, installing foundations for wind turbines and dealing with unexploded bombs on the seabed.
Measures to conserve marine wildlife are in place in some areas; for example, the southern part of the North Sea is a Marine Protected Area to safeguard harbour porpoises which are sensitive to sound.
Government regulators, nature conservation bodies and marine industries already work together to carefully manage any noise impacts and to ensure that noise is kept within agreed limits – but there is a need to plan ways forward should Government thresholds lead to some projects not being able to carry out activities at the same time.
The report puts forward proposals for a coordinated framework to support closer cooperation and forward planning of different activities to avoid noise limits being exceeded, as well as a new decision-making process through which scheduling conflicts can be resolved quickly.
The fact that a transparent arbitration process is lacking is a “key concern” for offshore industries as this risks delays to crucial offshore projects.
RenewableUK’s Environment and Consents Manager Juliet Shrimpton, who worked on the report as part of the Offshore Wind Industry Council’s Environment and Consents programme, said: “Protecting our rich biodiversity in the North Sea while we build vital clean energy infrastructure presents challenges which we’re determined to address.
“Marine industries work hard to ensure that rigorous underwater noise limits are adhered to, but we need to improve the way that different industries work together, supported by regulators and nature conservation bodies, so that activities can be coordinated more effectively.
“Critically, we need to ensure that if conflicts arise, these can be resolved through a transparent, fair and timely process.”
OWIC’s Environment and Consents Workstream Sponsor Benj Sykes, Orsted UK Country Manager, said: “Initiatives like this are important to ensure that we continue to roll out new projects sustainably, and avoid delays so that we can generate economic growth by accelerating the deployment of vital new clean energy infrastructure whilst ensuring we take proper care of the marine environment.
“This will also help to enable us to stay on track to meet the Government’s target of clean power by 2030.”