Engaging the regulatory community to aid environmental consenting/permitting processes for marine renewable energy

Abstract

—Regulators involved in consenting/permitting marine renewable energy (MRE) have faced multiple challenges due to the relatively new, unfamiliar technologies used and uncertainty surrounding potential environmental effects. This has resulted in slow progress for the MRE industry, including long consenting timeframes and extensive and expensive monitoring requirements, which increase financial risk for investors. OES‐Environmental has surveyed regulators internationally in order to support the development of the MRE industry through increased understanding of their key knowledge gaps and perspectives. From the results of these surveys, a data transferability process and a risk retirement pathway have been developed to assess consenting and monitoring requirements in proportion to risk. A tool for discovering existing data sets by using an online matrix has been developed, along with training materials, regulatory guidance documents, and a strategic outreach plan to engage regulators and advisers. This engagement and the application of these products should lead to a better understanding of the environmental effects of marine energy, and a more efficient consenting processes.