Function
An EIA assesses the potential impact of the proposed development on the physical, biological, and human environment during the construction, operation and decommissioning of the floating offshore wind farm.
What it costs*
About $14 million for a 1 GW floating offshore wind farm.
Who supplies them
UK suppliers for the Asian market:
AECOM, Arcus, Arup, Atkins, Cura Terrae Land & Nature, ERM, GoBe, Intertek, Land Use Consultants, Mott MacDonald, Natural Power, RPS, Sealand Projects, and SLR.
Japanese suppliers:
Construction Environment Research Institute, E&E Solutions, IDEA Consultants, Japan Weather Association, Kaiyo Engineering, Kanso Technos, Kiso-Jiban Consultants, Sanyo Techno Marine, Tokyo Kyuei, and Union Data System Co. Ltd.
South Korean suppliers:
Dohwa Engineering, ERM, RPS, Sekwang, RE-Energy ISAN, Saman Corporation and Yooshin Engineering.
Key facts
UK
The most recent EIA regulations specify that the assessment must consider impacts on human health, climate change and biodiversity. To determine the impacts, a full suite of environmental surveys is undertaken.
After assessing the potential impacts, mitigation measures are defined and applied in order to determine the residual effects associated with the development. A core part of the EIA is the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) where the development’s impacts combined with those impacts from other foreseeable projects are assessed. The EIA is used to inform the Environmental Statement (ES) (or EIA Report), which forms the core evidence that is submitted to support a consent application.
Consultation with statutory consultees, special interest groups and the local community is performed throughout the EIA process and allows the consenting authority, as well as other stakeholders and the public, to voice their opinions and concerns.
The EIA process can take up to three years to complete, with the main driver being the length of time it takes to complete the required environmental surveys.
Under the Habitats Directive and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended), developers should consider the potential effects on protected habitats. If the development is likely to affect a designated European site, the developer must provide a report with the application showing the designated European site that may be affected together with sufficient information to enable the decision maker to make an assessment, if required. In the UK, a Habitat Regulations Appraisal (HRA) is performed as an integral part of an EIA to ensure that a project conforms to The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010).
Japan
The EIA process for offshore wind projects in Japan can take up to three years, mainly due to the time needed to conduct comprehensive environmental surveys. Under the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, administered by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and the Marine Renewable Energy Act, developers must evaluate potential impacts on marine ecosystems, fisheries, and protected habitats. If a project is expected to affect designated conservation areas, the developer must submit an environmental impact report detailing the potential effects and proposed mitigation measures. In Japan, a Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) is conducted as part of the approval process to ensure compliance with national environmental regulations and sustainable development policies.
South Korea
The EIA process can take three to five years to complete with the main driver being the length of time it takes to complete the required environmental surveys and engagement with stakeholders.
According to the Electric Utility Act, offshore wind projects over 100 MW must undertake an EIA. The requirements for this EIA are set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment Act and the Marine Environment Management Act. The EIA process involves a comprehensive examination of potential environmental impacts on both offshore and onshore ecosystems, as well as socioeconomic factors. If a project is expected to affect ecologically significant areas, the developer must submit an environmental impact report with detailed assessments and mitigation measures. A Marine Environment Impact Assessment (MEIA) is conducted as part of the EIA process to ensure compliance with national conservation regulations and sustainable development goals.
What’s in it
- Assessment
- Environmental Statement
- Habitat regulations assessment
- Mitigation
- Residual impacts
- Scoping
- Site-specific impacts