Abstract
The Scottish Government has set a range of challenging targets for energy and climate change. These recognise the potential to take advantage of the extensive marine energy resources (wind, wave and tidal power) available in Scottish waters with the following aims:
- renewable sources to generate the equivalent of 100 per cent of Scotland's gross annual electricity consumption by 2020, with an interim milestone of 31 per cent by 2011.
- renewables sources to provide the equivalent of 11 per cent of Scotland's heat demand by 2020.
To assist in meeting these targets, a Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in Scottish Territorial Waters (Blue Seas - Green Energy) sets out the Government's vision for developing offshore wind energy up to 2020 and beyond.
Currently, up to 10 GW of planned development is in progress divided roughly equally between Round 3 sites and sites in Scottish Territorial Waters (STW). The Crown Estate has granted exclusive rights to ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) to take forward the development of the Argyll Array (180-300 turbines) offering a potential generation capacity of 1800 Mega Watts (MW). SPR will be submitting a Section 36 Consent to Scottish Ministers accompanied by a detailed Environmental Statement and an application for a Marine Licence under Section 16 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.
This study seeks to better understand the potential Operational and Maintenance (O&M) implications associated with the proposed development of an offshore windfarm off the coast of Tiree. This draft consultation report will allow stakeholders to comment and make representation on the potential issues associated with Operations and Maintenance support related to the proposed Argyll Array.