Abstract
ScottishPower Renewable Energy Limited, the parent company of ScottishPower Renewables (UK) Limited, is a wholly owned subsidiary of ScottishPower UK plc. At April 2013 SPR had an onshore wind portfolio of over 1,239MW, and was the first company to attain 1GW of installed onshore wind in the UK.
SPR aims to continue to expand its renewables capacity in the UK order to help the Scottish and UK Governments to meet their 2020 electricity generation targets from renewable sources. This includes the development of some of the newer renewable technologies including wave and tidal.
In July 2010, ScottishPower Renewables (UK) Limited (hereafter referred to as SPR) submitted an application under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct and operate a demonstration tidal array in the Sound of Islay, Argyll and Bute. The application comprised a ten turbine development with an installed capacity of 10MW, which will be wholly owned and operated by SPR.
The proposed Development could be the first tidal array in UK waters and it will deliver power directly into the National Grid. This will assist both the Scottish and UK Governments in meeting their future energy targets and their reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Development capacity of 10MW equates to an average production of 26.3GWh p.a., which is enough to supply approximately 5400 average domestic households.
SPR currently holds consent to construct, install and operate a demonstration tidal power array within the Sound of Islay (Figure 1.1). The Development will utilise the tidal flow running through the Sound to power tidal turbines during the flood and ebb tidal flows and generate electricity throughout these flow periods.
Post-consent discussions were held with the regulator and, as a result of these discussions related to the interpretation of planning legislation, a number of amendments have been made to the Development. The principal change in relation to this Marine Licence application relates to a new cable route to shore, which is now planned to make landfall on Islay instead of Jura as previously consented (Figure 1.2).
The preparation of this Marine Licence application and its supporting documentation has been an integral component in ensuring that the investigation of any environmental impacts of the proposed project is robust and comprehensive. This document and the supporting Marine Licence application will assist Scottish Ministers in reaching a decision as to whether permission should be granted for the proposed new cable route to shore.