Abstract
The proposal is for the installation, operation and decommissioning of five 2 bladed 100 kW tidal turbines. The proposed devices are bottom mounted, gravity anchored, non-yawing horizontal axis tidal turbines comprising of a cylindrical nacelle unit, rotor and gravity base to secure it to the sea bed (no seabed drilling or additional site works are required). The negatively buoyant nacelle is securely connected to the base by means of a latching system. The rotor rotates in the tidal stream and powers a generator that is housed within the nacelle. The turbine has a rotor diameter of 10m and a hub height of 9m, making the total height 14m from the bottom of the feet to the tip of the blades. In the Bluemull Array the devices will be installed in water depths greater than 30 m, so clearance will be more than 15 m below mean tide. The footprint of the device is 13.5 x 12.2 m, and the weight in water is 80 tonnes. The device will operate in a maximum sustained tidal speed of 2.6 m/s.
This is a record of the appropriate assessment (AA) of the Nova Tidal Array proposal. The assessment has been undertaken by MSS and MS-LOT. This assessment is required under Regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. This AA is in accordance with Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats under wild fauna and flora (“the Habitats Directive”) and Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds (“the Birds Directive”). MS-LOT, as the 'competent authority' under the Regulations, has to be satisfied that the project will not cause an adverse effect to the integrity of any European site (special areas of conservation (SACs) and special protection areas (SPAs)) before it can grant consent for the project.