Report on enduring sectoral challenges in Offshore Wind Energy

Abstract

This report presents a comprehensive qualitative register of prevailing practical challenges in Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) practice, as well as key (cumulative) socio-environmental risks within the offshore wind energy sector. The content of the report is informed by an extensive review of international scientific literature, a review of a selected number of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, and consultation with expert representatives from the European wind energy sector, including consenting authorities, impact assessment practitioners, researchers, plan-makers, and developers. By outlining prevailing CEA challenges and socio-environmental risks, the objective is twofold: 1) to establish a shared understanding of current practice issues that need to be addressed to improve the assessment of cumulative effects; and 2) to identify critical pressures/receptors that need to be prioritised in cumulative (and transboundary) assessments.