The Scottish Executive commissioned consultants Faber Maunsell, in association with environmental engineers Metoc plc, to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to assess the potential impacts of a range of technologies which generate renewable energy from waves and tides.

The SEA identifies the characteristics of wave and tidal devices that may cause environmental impacts, prescribes mitigation measures and provides a prediction of the environmental effects that may result. Faber Maunsell looked at all relevant marine, coastal and land based environmental issues ranging from marine ecology, to fisheries, archaeology and the coastal landscape.

The second part of the assessment examines how much energy may be available in each of the development areas, and estimates the availability of wave and tidal power in each area.

The study is important to the development of Scotland’s renewable energy industry and will inform local and national marine energy policy. Alongside the Scottish Executive and other consultants, Faber Maunsell will undertake a wide ranging consultation to gain the views of all stakeholders on the results of the SEA.

Iain Bell, project director from Faber Maunsell said, ‘We looked at the impact of tidal and wave systems on everything from seals and birds to fisherman and how developments might affect communities or habitats on the shore. Ultimately this strategic assessment will be used to inform national and local level decisions on marine renewable energy policy.’

Faber Maunsell examined proposed sites on the Western Seaboard of Scotland (including the Inner Isles, Western Isles, and Argyll and Bute), the Pentland Firth, and the Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland). The Scottish Executive has a target to produce 1,300MW of energy capacity from marine renewables by 2020.