Offshore Energy Developments 

The current UK Government committment is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by 2050 and to produce 15% of its total energy production from renewable resources by 2020, which has lead to the development and proposals for wind and tidal energy installations around the UK coast. To meet the 80% reduction, it is estimated the UK would have to produce only zero carbon electricity by 2030.

Whilst the RYA is supportive of the Government's efforts to promote renewable energy we are keen to ensure the navigational safety of recreational boating around the coast. 

The RYA has been actively engaged in the consultation process both at the strategic level as well as on a site by site basis. Through a proactive approach we have secured general acceptance of a minimum rotor clearance height for wind farm developments and seen adaptations to specific developments to ensure safe passage for small craft.  

Data and information
We have developed a position statement based on data for recreational craft and have carried out an extensive mapping project to identify cruising routes, sailing and racing areas to better inform the management process. Initially this culminated in a detailed description of cruising routes, racing and sailing areas for the three strategic wind farm development areas and is reported in the document 'Sharing the Wind'. This project has resulted in the publication of the 'RYA Atlas of Recreational Boating'.

We have also carried out two detailed reports on recreational boating as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. The SEA appraisal enables environmental protection and sustainable development to be considered, and factored into national and local decisions regarding Government (and other) plans and programmes such as oil and gas licensing rounds. The process aims to help inform Ministerial decisions through consideration of the environmental implications of the proposed action. For more information see the DTI's Offshore SEA website.

The RYA two reports cover SEA 6 covered the Irish Sea and SEA 8 Milford Haven to Dover. If you would like a copy, please email the RYA environmental team.  

Types of development
There are a number of different types of offshore energy developments being proposed. The Briefing Note outlines the types of developments and the navigational implications of these.

Representation
RYA is represented on the Government's Navigation Offshore Renewable Energy Liaison Group NOREL which has been instrumental in examining the impacts of radar on navigational interests as well as other issues. The radar report can be found on the BWEA website. 

Our primary objective remains to secure navigational safety for recreational users.