1.21. Major Accidents and Disasters

  1. This section summarises the assessment of the likely significant effects both that the Proposed Development presents and is susceptible to from the existing environment regarding major accidents and disasters.
  2. The baseline presented for major accidents and disasters is based on a summary of the information collected through a detailed desktop review of existing studies and datasets for the following chapters:
  • Berwick Bank Wind Farm Offshore Scoping Report (SSER, 2021a).
  • volume 2, chapter 10: Marine Mammals;
  • volume 2, chapter 12: Commercial Fisheries;
  • volume 2, chapter 13: Shipping and Navigation;
  • volume 2, chapter 14: Aviation, Military, Communications; and
  • volume 2, chapter 17: Infrastructure and Other Users.
    1. The major accidents and disasters assessment of effects has followed the methodology that directs the assessment to focus on low likelihood but potentially high consequence events such as a major spill, explosion, fire, etc. (Institute of Environmental Management of Assessment (IEMA),2020).
    2. The following potential impacts were assessed:
  • collision and allision (to and from vessels and aircraft);
  • snagging (to and from fishing vessels);
  • unexploded ordinance (unplanned detonation);
  • pollution of the marine environment (from vessels and structures); and
  • fire at OSP/Offshore convertor station platform.
    1. The assessment of effects established that for all risks identified, designed in measures would be sufficient to suitable manage the risk.
    2. As there are no likely significant effects relating to major accidents and disasters after consideration of the designed in, no assessment of cumulative, inter-related or transboundary effects has been undertaken.


References

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BEIS (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) (2021). Contracts for Difference Policy Paper. Available at: Contracts for Difference - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Accessed on: 1 September 2021.

Cefas (2016). Suspended Sediment Climatologies around the UK, CEFAS. Available at: https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/18133. Accessed on: 24 September 2021.

HM Government (2009). Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/23/data.pdf.

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HM Government (2011b). UK Marine Policy Statement. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69322/pb3654-marine-policy-statement-110316.pdf. Accessed on: 30 October 2020.

HM Government (2017). The Clean Growth Strategy. Leading the way to a low carbon future. Available at: Clean Growth Strategy (publishing.service.gov.uk). Accessed on: 11 January 2022.

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HM Government (2020). Offshore wind Sector Deal – one year on. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/offshore-wind-sector-deal/offshore-wind-sector-deal-one-year-on. Accessed on: 13 November 2020.

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IEMA (2020). Major Accidents and Disasters in EIA: A Primer. Available at: Major Accidents and Disasters in EIA: An IEMA Primer. Accessed on: 16 September 2022.

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Scottish Government (2019). Decommissioning of Offshore Renewable Energy Installations in Scottish Waters or in the Scottish Par of the Renewable Energy Zone under the Energy Act 2004. Guidance notes for industry (in Scotland). Available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/decommissioning-offshore-renewable-energy-installations-scottish-waters-scottish-part-renewable-energy-zone-under-energy-act-2004-guidance-notes-industry-scotland/. Accessed on: 3 November 2020.

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SSER (2020). 2020 Berwick Bank Scoping Report. Available at: https://www.sserenewables.com/media/0t5n05b4/berwick-bank-wind-farm-offshore-scoping-report.pdf

SSER (2021a). Berwick Bank Wind Farm Offshore Scoping Report. Available at: https://berwickbank-eia.com/offshore-scoping/

SSER (2022d). Berwick Bank Pre-Application Consultation Report.

 

 

[1] The term “national site network” is used in the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. The two terms refer to the same network of sites ((Scottish Government, 2020).